Latest addition is a Tetricus I. Majority are always scraps but I felt this had a good strike on both sides, usually one side is better then the other. Only thing I dislike is the weight, 1.8g. Its as thin as medieval silver pennies. Now to find one of his son that isnt junk or overpriced. Bigger challenge then I thought. Tetricus I (271 - 274 A.D.) Æ Antoninianus O: IMP TETRICVS P F AVG, radiate cuirassed bust right. R: HILARITAS AVGG,Hilaritas standing left holding palm frond in right, cornucopia in left. Mainz or Treveri (Trier) mint 273 -274 A.D. 1.8g 19mm RIC V 80, Cohen 57, SRCV III 11237
Yeah, finding one with both sides in decent condition for both Tetricus and his son is a difficult task. It's too bad this one is so light, but at least the obverse is in decent shape.
Mat => geeessh, that's one homely lookin' babe!! ... obviously, just jokes ... Sweet new addition ... sadly, it is time to buy more coins, for I do "not" have a Tetricus to toss into the mix!!
Here are a couple of mine: TETRICUS I Antoninianus OBVERSE: IMP C TETRICVS P F AVG, radiate draped bust right REVERSE: SPES PVBLICA, Spes advancing left holding flower and raising hem of skirt Struck at Treveri, 272-274 AD 3.9g, 19.1mm RIC 136 TETRICUS I Antoninianus OBVERSE:IMP TETRICVS P F AVG, radiate and cuirassed bust right REVERSE: HILARITAS AVGG, Hilaritas standing left, holding long branch and cornucopiae Struck at Cologne, 273-4 AD 3.8g, 19mm RIC 80
And a Tetricus II: TETRICUS II Antoninianus OBVERSE: C PIV ESV TETRICVS CAES, radiate, draped bust right REVERSE: SPES AVGG, Spes walking left, holding flower and raising skirt Struck at Treveri, 272-273 AD 2.2g, 22mm RIC 270v
Tetricus II Tetricus II AE Antoninianus. C P E TETRICVS CAES, radiate draped bust right / PIETAS AVGVSTOR, priestly implements, from left to right: sprinkler, simpulum with handle right, plain jug and lituus. A little rough but I like it.
Don't worry about the size of the image askea. Nice coin especially when considering that it's a Tetricus II
I was lucky enough to be able to pick through a hoard of gallic empire coins last year.....there were 4250 in the hoard and I was with the coins for 5 hours. I was told they were £2 each or £1.50 if i bought 1000 or more. Point is, I came away with 600 and 100 of those were half decent and the rest ok....a few rarities in there too, but its the nature of gallics, often small/crude flans and yes, to find both sides in good condition is not easy at all. That said, really good ones can still be had for about £20.....and poor ones for a few quid (max), so patience pays off with the gallics when buying. The owner of the hoard couldnt believe that I only bought 600.
My observation may be based on too few coins (I have not seen 4250 in one place for sure!) but I believe that it is harder to find full legend Tetricus II coins than it is Tetricus I and there are many coins that have so little legend that the only way you can tell one from the other is the portrait. There is also the matter of so many of them being barbarous and many being well enough done that it is not obvious where official stops and barbarous starts. Tetricus II (my only decent one and it is far from perfect): Tetricus I (how a coin can be both this ragged and full legend is a mystery):
Great additions, everyone. That Tet. II is the kind I would like to find at an affordable price, Doug.
Nice coins, Mat et al. I haven't ventured down the path of the Gallic emperors yet, but it seems to me that you guys have collected some admirable pieces.
The Gallic Empire (by chance???) came at the time of the biggest change in quality of the antoninianus during the sole reign of Gallienus and time of Claudius II. If you start with early Probus, you can get some really great, well made coins better than the real thing in Rome. Both groups fell off terribly until Tetricus surrendered to Aurelian and Aurelian reformed the coinage. There are no XXI reformed coins of Tetricus so he is the most difficult to find in great condition. I don't have the rare ones (Laelianus and Domitianus). Postumus Marius Victorinus Tetricus