What Do You Make Of This Strange Antoninianus?

To participate in the forum you must log in or register.

Author	Replies: 9 / Views: 1,406
Paul Bulgerin Pillar of the Community United States 3098 Posts	Posted 03/25/2017 10:12 am I saw this coin on ebay. The seller called it an unknown hybrid, speculating it may have been Aurelian or Claudius II with possibly a Gallienus centaur reverse. I've done a bit of research, but haven't come up with anything yet, so I thought I'd ask for opinions. These are the auction photos. I do not own the coin. Paul Bulgerin Report this Post to the Staff

Kamnaskires Pillar of the Community United States 7066 Posts	Posted 03/25/2017 4:57 pm Weird indeed. I think I can read DIVSAVG on the obverse. Is that what you read? But I also think I see an "I" before the DIVS. A Claudius II would have to be CLAVDIVSAVG. Is there any way that could be a "V" prior to the DIVS above? While a search for DIVSAVG with the Roman Coin Attribution Toolkit lists Claudius II Gothicus as a possibility (the only one that could be cuirassed and radiate), I just don't see how that can be an AV before DIVS above. And, in any event, aren't portraits on Claudius II's usually bearded? And draped? (I know some are cuirassed) AND the toolkit provides NO matches for IDIVSAVG. Perhaps there a legend I'm not just coming up with, or I'm reading the obverse of the OP coin wrong. I am definitely out of my collecting area here! The reverse does look like a Gallienus centaur, though. Interesting mystery. Looking forward to the answer! Edited by Kamnaskires 03/25/2017 4:58 pm Report this Post to the Staff
lrbguy Pillar of the Community United States 949 Posts	Posted 03/25/2017 6:09 pm I am not ready to rule out Phillp II despite the difficulties. The obv portrait appears beardless and youthful What appears to be an "I" after the "P" (of PIVS?) might be weakness in the strike of another "P." IMP PHILIPPUS AVG fits nicely in the space and squares with the IM{P} behind the shoulder and with the "I" at the top just before the "P". The Centaur reverse, with the exergual II, is certainly like one used with Gallienus, and I have not found it for Philip II. The centaur has no arm reaching up. Here is the coin Ken is offering: Edited by lrbguy 03/25/2017 6:23 pm Report this Post to the Staff
Palouche Pillar of the Community Spain 2752 Posts	Posted 03/25/2017 7:44 pm Is everyone sure the reverse is a centaur? Maybe pegasus? Just a thought. Paul Report this Post to the Staff
Kamnaskires Pillar of the Community United States 7066 Posts	Posted 03/25/2017 8:05 pm Or maybe a horse with its snout caught in a cornucopia? Report this Post to the Staff
Finn235 Pillar of the Community United States 6130 Posts	Posted 03/25/2017 11:05 pm Maybe a counterfeit made using a stolen Gallienus reverse die, and a home made Aurelian obverse? If I recall, the "aurelianus" was effectively worth several times the pre-reform antoninianus under Gallienus, Claudius, and Aurelian. Couple a forged new style Aurelian obverse with a dusty old Gallienus reverse that your buddy swiped from the Mint, and you have a tool to make your own easy money. Report this Post to the Staff
Athalbert Pillar of the Community Spain 629 Posts	Posted 03/26/2017 04:57 am Probably an ancient forgery Report this Post to the Staff
Kamnaskires Pillar of the Community United States 7066 Posts	Posted 03/26/2017 09:57 am I too was leaning towards this being an ancient counterfeit. Report this Post to the Staff
tenbobbit Pillar of the Community United Kingdom 701 Posts	Posted 03/26/2017 10:59 am I am with the unofficial camp on this one. The bust has the appearance of an Aurelian but the legend doesn't appear to make much sense ( what is visible ) The Obverse is as Ellarby says trying to imitate a Gallienus but doesn't look right. I have a tray of rougher types and went through it for an Aurelian I knew I had with a similar looking bust - Maybe trying to copy this Obverse Report this Post to the Staff
Paul Bulgerin Pillar of the Community United States 3098 Posts	Posted 03/27/2017 12:35 pm Thanks for all the responses to my question. I agree that an ancient counterfeit looks to be the best answer. The S at the end of the IVS in the obverse legend looks very crude as does the AVG. It is certainly possible that the centaur reverse of Gallienus, who died in 268 AD, would still be around when Aurelian came to the throne in 270 and some enterprising person came up with this curious coin. Paul Bulgerin Report this Post to the Staff
	Replies: 9 / Views: 1,406

To participate in the forum you must log in or register.

All Forums Category: World Coins and Currency Forums Forum: Ancient, Greek, Roman, and Medieval Coins

The First Dollar, your premier source for bullion and rare coins. See our bullion list on the site and the coin inventory on ebay.

Silver Gold Bull US is the United States leading bullion dealer. We deliver gold coins, gold bars, silver coins, silver bars and precious metals to your door. Order today!

View Last 100 New Topics

View Last 100 Active Topics

Disclaimer: While a tremendous amount of effort goes into ensuring the accuracy of the information contained in this site, Coin Community assumes no liability for errors. Copyright 2005 - 2026 Coin Community Family- all rights reserved worldwide. Use of any images or content on this website without prior written permission of Coin Community or the original lender is strictly prohibited.
Contact Us | Advertise Here | Privacy Policy / Terms of Use

Coin Community Forum

It took 0.29 seconds to rattle this change.