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 Replies: 8 / Views: 1,213 |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
6130 Posts |
The coin lot with the Salonina I posted a few days ago also contained three of these bad boys! I'll try to get the others imaged soon. Macrianus Minor Usurper against Gallienus, 260-61 BI Antoninianus IMP C FVL MACRIANVS AVG, radiate cuirassed bust right, slightly draped left shoulder IOVI CONSERVATORI, Jupiter seated left, holding patera and sceptre, eagle at feet, star to left. RIC 9  When Valerian was defeated and captured by Sassanian forces in 260, Gallienus was the rightful sole ruler of the empire, but was too bogged down in barbarian raids to respond immediately. Valerian's chief finance officer, Macrianus Major, seized the opportunity, and using the vast finances at his disposal and the support of key military commanders, elevated his two sons Macrianus Minor and Quietus to the throne. Macrianus Minor marched west to kill Gallienus and secure the empire, but was killed in battle. Quietus was besieged by forces loyal to Gallienus and was ultimately killed as well. While not of the utmost rarity, these are rate coins; I have seen perhaps two or three dozen of both brothers offered for sale in the past year. They are typically in very poor condition; a coin with a clear portrait can bring significant premiums. |
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Rest in Peace
United States
17900 Posts |
I must congratulate you on that coin, and the two others discovered. Finding MM with anything approaching a decent portrait and strike is a hunt that can be years long.
You did well with this one, for sure.
Happy New Year - now you have to START the New Year with a bang for us, too.
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Moderator
 United States
23731 Posts |
Well Steve you had and excellent year with all the coins you added to your collection. This one completes this year. Looking forward to seeing what you have en-store for 2018. Happy New Year.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
564 Posts |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4883 Posts |
Terrific, thanks for sharing both this coin and its historical context.
Is Jupiter radiate? It looks slightly as if that's so, but there's wear is in just in that area which makes it hard to tell for sure.
I'd reiterate a remark I've made before here, that some take the star on the reverse as an indicator of a quality of divinity being conferred upon the person depicted on the obverse. For an usurper, that might be a crucial assertion.underpinning his legitimacy.
Colligo ergo sum
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Pillar of the Community
United States
949 Posts |
Nice example, Steve, especially the reverse. Nice writeup too. Quote:
some take the star on the reverse as an indicator of a quality of divinity being conferred upon the person depicted on the obverse. LC, how do you substantiate that? Who are the "some" who assert this? What is the logic of it? |
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
6130 Posts |
Thanks all!
The star must actually be some sort of control mark, as this reverse exists both with and without it. One of my three is missing the star.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4883 Posts |
Quote:
LC, how do you substantiate that? Who are the "some" who assert this? What is the logic of it? I read this quite some time back in a reference work, but don't now remember just which one. I'll try to (re)locate it. My recollection is that this originated with the coinage of Elagabalus. I worded my comment as I did because I don't think there's universal agreement on this point. Colligo ergo sum
Edited by Lucky Cuss
01/02/2018 8:07 pm
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Pillar of the Community
United States
6130 Posts |
Here is the example that has no star on the reverse:  It was hard to capture with the lamp, but this coin has patches of flashy silvering remaining, in addition to a superior reverse for the issue--I think this will be the one I keep and use the other two for sale/trade fodder. |
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Replies: 8 / Views: 1,213 |
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Posted 12/31/2017 6:32 pm
