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 Replies: 7 / Views: 2,095 |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
6130 Posts |
This one was bycatch from a lot, but figured it was neat enough to share. Valerian I Billon Antoninianus IMP C P LIC VALERIANVS PF AVG VOTA ORBIS, Two victories mounting shield inscribed S-C on palm tree Antioch mint, c. 253-256 AD RIC 294 (var. Obv legend?)   This reverse type was issued for both Valerian I and Gallienus , and briefly revived for Claudius II. I have never seen an explanation of the reverse, but as near as I can tell, the legend means "Vows to the world". Coupled with the palm tree imagery, I assume this to mean Valerian I took vows to restore the "Roman World", meaning to recover the territory lost to the Sassanid Persians. Likewise Claudius II probably had plans to recover the Palmyrene Empire before meeting a premature end due to the plague. Does anyone have any more info on this type? (Also, look for this one in my upcoming sale once I wrap up taking my photos!) Edited by Finn235
04/11/2017 5:04 pm
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Pillar of the Community
 Spain
2752 Posts |
Yep ! that's a neat coin.  Slight variation in the obverse legend Quote:
IMP C P LIC VALERIANVS AVG Should be IMP C P LIC VALERIANVS PF AVG..Don't know if this changes anything? Thanks for sharing Saludos Paul |
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
6130 Posts |
Whoops, you are correct. Thanks for pointing that out! Wildwinds has two varieties of this coin, neither of which have PF in the obverse legend.
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Moderator
 United States
23731 Posts |
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Pillar of the Community
Spain
2752 Posts |
Yes I had a look at wild winds.. I found your coin mentioned on a pdf as having been found at the Agora.Its written by, THE AMERICAN SCHOOL OF CLASSICAL STUDIES AT ATHENS PRINCETON, NEW JERSEY 1975. http://www.agathe.gr/Icons/pdfs/AgoraPicBk-15.pdfScroll down to ..THIRD CENTURY SESTERTII AND ANTONINIANI. Have a look. Saludos Paul |
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Moderator
United States
34427 Posts |
I agree interesting reverse. I have never seen the "SC" being incorporated into the design elements like this coin has.
"If you climb a good tree, you get a push."
-----Ghanaian proverb
"The danger we all now face is distinguishing between what is authentic and what is performed."
-----King Adz
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Pillar of the Community
United States
6130 Posts |
SC originally meant that the Senate gave the OK to issue a coin at greater face value than its intrinsic metal content. Valerian was rapidly debasing the antoninianus, to the point it could no longer really pass for a silver coin. Since he was from an old aristocratic background, perhaps he felt the need to put this somewhere on the coin to reassure the public that this was a temporary change? Recall that the Limes denarii were issued in billon or copper to decent success.
Alternatively, it could be a throwback to the provincial issues from Antioch that were mostly characterized by a large SC in a laurel wreath?
Again, I haven't seen any commentary at all on this reverse type.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
549 Posts |
Here is another Valerian/VOTA ORBIS:  RIC 295, dated to 255-6 at Antioch (mint of "Asia"). Sydenham, <i>Historical References on Coins of the Roman Empire</i>, #286 "The feeling of gratification at the election of Valerian was by no means confined to the army, or the populace, but was shared almost unanimously by the whole Roman world, so the framers of this legend may be exonerated from undue hyperbole" |
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Replies: 7 / Views: 2,095 |
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Posted 04/11/2017 5:06 pm
