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 Replies: 5 / Views: 1,090 |
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Valued Member
United States
319 Posts |
After a successful yet exhausting search for a realistic portrayal of Domitian, I was settling into the idea of taking a break before choosing my next target. Well...as Robert Burns wrote: "The best laid plans of mice and men often go awry". *shaking head* I really had no plans...until this marvelous sestertius caught my eye. A tad more rough than I usually like, but the portrait is striking in its realistic details. Despite the wear on the highpoints, the emperors laurel crown, ear, flesh of his face, and hair are clearly visible. This depiction style favors the ancient Roman taste for realism in representation!  Reigning a short two years, Volusian was elevated to Augustus by his father Trebonius Gallus,who came to power when his predecessors Decius and Etruscus fell in battle against the Goths in the summer of 251 CE. Both Gallus and Volusian were killed by their mutinous troops in August 253 CE. Obverse: laureate and draped bust, facing right. Reverse: Concordia seated left, holding patera and cornucopia. 29mm, 16.0g Edited by circusmax120
12/10/2022 4:21 pm
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Bedrock of the Community
 United States
25163 Posts |
Nice one, Circus! An excellent acquisition. If you use judicious and meticulous methods, the reverse could be revealed in greater detail. Your coin, your choice. But it's a beauty nonetheless!
Inordinately fascinated by bits of metal with strange markings and figures
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Pillar of the Community
 Spain
2752 Posts |
Nice coin Mike ...
Lovely stern, focused looking portrait...Plus these big bronzes are lovely in hand...
You've had a good year collecting.
I'll be posting my usual top 10 thread probably tomorrow would love to see your selection together.
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Valued Member
 United States
319 Posts |
Thanks, Hondo. I agree that there is most likely more detail on the reverse than is presently seen, but I'm hesitant to remove any of the story of this coin. As you point out...it's a beauty regardless.
True, Paul...it has been a pretty good year. Who knows? Perhaps I'll find a few more gems before the year is done. A 'Top Ten', eh? Splendid idea!
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Pillar of the Community
United Kingdom
1168 Posts |
Aye, the best laid plans o' mice and man gang aft aglae.  A very nice acquisition, Mike. It is more satisfying to see how the emperor would have appeared, rather then the the stylised representations often seen.  |
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Valued Member
United States
319 Posts |
On behalf of all mice and all men...I thank you, Jim. *smile* Finding that specimen was a pleasant surprise. From what I've seen, Volusian's depictions on these large varieties do not stray as far from realism as the portraits of other emperors. More...consistent, I would say. This portrait, however, stood out as being particularly authentic.
I do want to say, for all my talk of admiration for realism in these portraits...I do appreciate the other styles of expression (and the associated history). It is very interesting to see the evolution of the art form. The shifting of artistic tastes through the centuries. From the god-like, to natural, to ultra-natural, to caricaturistic, to almost entirely symbolic. It's all fascinating!
Edited by circusmax120
12/11/2022 9:07 pm
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Replies: 5 / Views: 1,090 |
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Posted 12/10/2022 4:19 pm
