I have had this for a few weeks now but have been busy with my mothers birthday, my birthday and spending time with my dad so I havent had time to share much less post much. Most here know I sold my other Salonina to Bing. It was because I fell in love with this one mainly for the portrait and being from the early period along with the better legend type. What looks like a flan crack is actually a meandering line from stress. Salonina (254 - 268 A.D.) AR Antoninianus O: CORN SALONINA AVG, Draped bust right, wearing stephane, set on crescent. R: VESTA, Vesta standing left, holding patera and scepter. 3.4g 23mm RIC V 39A ; RSC 137
Nice coin Mat. The portrait on this one is better than the one you sold me, but I like the reverse on mine because of the architecture.
Do you happen to know why Empresses of this period got set on a crescent? Was there some kind of meaning to that? I have always wondered. Nice portrait.
Male double denomination was the Radiate crown, the crown of Sol, female has the crescent moon of Luna.
Thanks for the comments. As for the crescent, answer has been posted but here is diana with the crescent reverse. Not my coin:
Why is always a hard question but the double denomination had long been marked with the masculine sun god's radiate crown so a feminine equivalent would be the crescent moon. They needed a symbol and that one makes as much sense as any.
Great addition Mat, I like the portrait a lot too, and very nice photo! My Salonia isn't worth posting its worn, grainy, and a brownish billon. I havent even taken a pic of it lol
