Diadumenian Silver

Discussion in 'Ancient Coins' started by Nemo, Jun 28, 2015.

  1. Nemo

    Nemo Well-Known Member

    Here are my three Diadumenian denarii. Any other Diadumenian silver out there?

    Diadumenian RIC 107.jpg
    Diadumenian, Mid May - 8 June 218 A.D. Silver denarius, weight 2.935 g, 19.6 mm, die axis 0o, Rome mint, as caesar.

    O: M OPEL DIADVMENIANVS CAES, bare-headed and draped bust right, from behind
    R: PRINC IVVENTVTIS, Diadumenian, in military dress, standing left, baton in right, long scepter in left, two grounded standards right; RIC IV 107, RSC III 12

    Diadumenianweb.jpg
    Diadumenian, as Caesar. 218 AD. AR Denarius 3.04 g.

    O: M OPEL ANT DIADVMENIAN CAES, bare-headed and draped bust right
    R: PRINC IVVENTVTIS, Diadumenian standing half-left, head right, holding standard and sceptre; two standards behind. RIC IV 102 (Macrinus); BMCRE 87 (Macrinus); RSC 3.

    Diadumenian RIC 117.jpg
    Diadumenian, Mid May - 8 June 218 A.D. Silver denarius, Rome mint, weight 2.999g, 20.4mm, die axis 0o, as caesar, Jan - May 218 A.D.

    O: M OPEL ANT DIADVMENIAN CAES, draped and cuirassed bust right, from behind;
    R: SPES PVBLICA, Spes advancing left, flower in right, raising skirt with left;
    - SRCV II 7450, RIC IV 117

    Marcus Opellius Diadumenianus was born in 208. According to Aelius Lampridius, quoted below, the boy was so named because he was born with a diadem formed by a rolled caul.

    “Now let us proceed to the omens predicting his imperial power — which are marvellous enough in the case of others, but in his case beyond the usual wont. 4 On the day of his birth, his father, who then chanced to be steward of the greater treasury, was inspecting the purple robes, and those which he approved as being brighter in hue he ordered to be carried into a certain chamber, in which two hours later Diadumenianus was born. 2 Furthermore, whereas it usually happens that children at birth are provided by nature with a caul, which the midwives seize and sell to credulous lawyers (for it is said that this bring luck to those who plead), 3 this child, instead of a caul, had a narrow band like a diadem, so strong that it could not be broken, for the fibres were entwined in the manner of a bow-string. 4 The child, they say, was accordingly called Diadematus, but when he grew older, he was called Diadumenianus from the name of his mother's father, though the name differed little from his former appellation Diadematus.”

    His father Macrinus was hailed as Augustus in 217. Diadumenian, in turn, received the titles of Caesar and Prince of the Youth. He was also given the name Antoninus after the assassinated emperor Caracalla.

    These titles are seen on the denarii with ANT and PRINC IVVENTVTIS. The third coin has Spes on the reverse, the personification of hope. As the heir to the throne, he was portrayed as the hope for the future of the Empire.

    When the armies of Elagabalus revolted at Emesa on May 16, 218, Macrinus traveled to the praetorian fortress at Apamaea to shore up (buy) support and to raise Diadumenian to the rank of Augustus. Still, Macrinus’ armies were defeated outside Antioch in less than a month.

    10 year old Diadumenian was captured while fleeing to Zeugma and executed shortly thereafter. He reigned as Caesar for 13 months and as Augustus for less than one.

    Although the Senate never confirmed Diadumenian’s title as Augustus, there is extremely rare silver (one or two pieces?) with Diadumenian as emperor. It is believed that a large issue was struck, only to be immediately recalled and melted down when the news of Macrinus’ defeat reached Rome.
     
  2. Avatar

    Guest User Guest



    to hide this ad.
  3. Mat

    Mat Ancient Coincoholic

    Wish I could afford one, great coins!
     
  4. Nemo

    Nemo Well-Known Member

    Well then, any bronze?
     
  5. stevex6

    stevex6 Random Mayhem

    => did somebody call for some Diad-bronze?!! (oh, check-out the abstract eagle on the reverse exergue)

    diada.jpg diadb.jpg

    ... great coins, Nemo (fantastic silver)
     
    chrsmat71, zumbly, TIF and 2 others like this.
  6. Bing

    Bing Illegitimi non carborundum Supporter

    I have one really really lousy silver and a couple of bronze provincials.
    Diadumenian 2.jpg
    DIADUMENIAN
    AR Denarius
    OBVERSE: M OPEL ANT DIADVMENIAN CAES, draped & cuirassed bust right
    REVERSE: PRINC IVVENTVTIS, Diadumenian standing right, holding standard & baton, two more standards to right
    Struck at Rome, 218 AD
    1.4g, 18mm
    RIC 102

    Diadumenian 3.jpg
    DIADUMENIAN
    Assarion
    OBVERSE: M OPELLIOC ANTWNEINOC, bare-headed, draped bust right
    REVERSE: MARKIANOPOLEI-TWN, Lion walking left
    Struck at Markianopolis, Moesia Inferior, 218 AD
    2.9g, 17mm
    Moushmov 629

    Diadumenian 4.jpg
    DIADUMENIAN
    Assarion
    OBVERSE: M OPPLLIOC ANTWNEINO/C
    Bare headed and draped bust right – seen from behind
    REVERSE: MARKIANO-POLEITWN
    Aesklepios staff, with serpent entwining
    Struck at Markianopolis, Moesia Inferior, 218 AD
    3.07, 17mm
    Varbanov 1354

    And then a couple with father and son

    Macrinus 2.jpg
    MACRINUS
    AE 26
    OBVERSE: ΑΥ Κ ΟΠΕΛ ΣΕΥ ΜΑΚΡΕΙΝΟΣ Κ Μ ΟΠΕΛ ΑΝΤΩΝΕΙΝΟΣ Κ, laureate head of Macrinus right facing bare headed head of Diadumenian left
    REVERSE: ΥΠ ΠΟΝΤΙΑΝΟΥ ΜΑΡΚΙΑΝΟΠΟΛΕΙΤΩ/Ν, Artemis, huntress, advancing r., reaching for an arrow in quiver at shoulder and in her l. hand holding a bow; below a hound. E to centre l
    Struck at Markianopolis, Moesia Inferior, 217 - 218 AD
    10.4g, 26mm
    Moushmov 532

    Macrinus 4.jpg
    MACRINUS
    Pentassarion AE28
    OBVERSE: AVT K OPEL CEVH MAKREINOC K M OPEL ANTWNEINOC - confronted busts
    REVERSE: VP PONTIAN-OV MARKIANO/ POLIT, Coiled serpent with radiate head
    Struck at Markianopolis, Moesia Inferior, Magistrate Pontianus; 217 - 218 AD
    12.6g, 28mm
    Hr & J (2012) 6.24.22.6
     
  7. Mikey Zee

    Mikey Zee Delenda Est Carthago

    Well Nemo, no silver examples here either...but I have one modest bronze coin that pales in comparison to those already posted..

    Great coins guys!! Of course, especially those silver versions of a scarce Emperor...... And I love Bing's last post!!!

    diadumenian.JPG
     
  8. Mat

    Mat Ancient Coincoholic

    I have this low grade bronze.

    [​IMG]
    Diadumenian (217 - 218 A.D.)
    AE26 of Nicopolis ad Istrum, Moesia Inferior under governor Statius Longinus
    O: K M OPPEL ANTWN DIADOV[MEN]IANOC, bare headed, draped bust right, seen from the back.
    R: VP CTATIOV LONGINO-V NIKOPOLITWN [PROC I], Homonoia standing left, kalathos on head, holding patera and cornucopiae. CTPW in exergue.
    26mm
    13g
    Megaw NIC4.26a and 26b; AMNG 1862
     
  9. TIF

    TIF Always learning.

    [​IMG]
    MOESIA INFERIOR, Marcianopolis
    Macrinus, with Diadumenian (217-218)

    AE27, 12.3 gm
    Obv: AYT K M OΠEΛ CEV MAKPEINOC K M OΠE ANTΩNINOC.
    Laureate head of Macrinus left and bare head of Diadumenian right, vis-à-vis.
    Rev: VΠ ΠONTIANOV MAPKIANOΠOΛEITΩN.
    Artemis advancing right, holding bow and drawing arrow from quiver; E to left.
    Ref: Varbanov 1159 var. (obverse legend).
     
  10. Cucumbor

    Cucumbor Well-Known Member

    Here's my only Diadumenian denarius, followed by a Hierapolis tetradrachm :


    [​IMG]
    Diadumenian, Denarius Rome mint, AD 217-218
    M OPEL ANT DIADVMENIAN CAES, draped and cuirassed bust right, seen from behind
    SPES PVBLICA, Spes walking left, holding a flower and her dress
    3,23 gr, 21 mm
    Ref : Cohen # 21, RIC # 117


    [​IMG]
    Diadumenian, Tetradrachm Hierapolis mint
    AVT K M OTTEA ANTONEINOC, Radiate and draped bust of diadumenian right
    DHMAP X EX VTTAT (OC), Eagle facing, head right, holding wreath in beak, lion between legs
    11,44 gr
    Ref : Prieur #947_050, Sear #315

    Q
     
  11. Bing

    Bing Illegitimi non carborundum Supporter

    Beautiful coins Cucumber
     
    Last edited: Jun 28, 2015
    Cucumbor likes this.
  12. Mikey Zee

    Mikey Zee Delenda Est Carthago

    GREAT coins 'Q' and TIF!!!!!
     
  13. Nemo

    Nemo Well-Known Member

    Fantastic coins all, I love those dynastic bronzes. Great tetradrachm as well!
     
  14. Pishpash

    Pishpash Well-Known Member

    [​IMG] [​IMG]

    Diadumenian
    Region, City: Thrace, Deultum
    Coin: Bronze
    - Bare-headed, draped and cuirassed bust right
    Cupid - Cupid riding on dolphin right
    Mint: (217-218 AD)
    Wt./Size/Axis: 2.19g / 18mm / -
    References: Deultum Moushmov 3568A
     
  15. Pishpash

    Pishpash Well-Known Member

    [​IMG] [​IMG]

    Diadumenian
    Coin: Bronze AE3
    K M OΠ[ΠE] ANT ΩNIOC - Bareheaded bust right
    NIKO-ΠO-AITΩN - Cista half opened basket opening to the left with snake emerging crossed line design
    Mint: Nikopolis ad Istrum
    Wt./Size/Axis: 3.23g / 18mm / -
    References:
    • Moushenov 1341
    • ANMG I 1881 p474
    • Varbanov (Eng) Vol 1 No 3595
     
  16. Pishpash

    Pishpash Well-Known Member

    [​IMG] [​IMG]

    Diadumenian
    Region, City: , Nicopolis ad Istrum
    Coin: Bronze
    K M OPPEL ANTWNINOC - Bare-headed and draped bust right
    NIKOPOLIWN - Serpent-entwined staff of Asklepios
    Mint: (217-218 AD)
    Wt./Size/Axis: 3.65g / 18mm / -
    References:
    • BMC 59
    • Moushmov 1333
     
  17. John Anthony

    John Anthony Ultracrepidarian

    Great set of coins from a scarce ruler. My most recent acquisition happens to be Diadumenian.

    diadumenian.jpg

    Thrace, Deultum, Diadumenian
    AE 20, 4.8g, 7h; Deultum, AD 218.
    Obv.: M OPEL ANTONINVS DIADV C, draped bust right.
    Rev.: C F P D, Telesphoros standing facing in hooded cloak.
    Reference: Yurukova 86, Lischine 360, SNG Bulgaria 237-238 (same dies).
     
  18. 7Calbrey

    7Calbrey Well-Known Member

    Hi Friends. Always in mind. My only Diaduminian weighs 3.64 g. DiaR O.jpg DiaR R.jpg
     
  19. 7Calbrey

    7Calbrey Well-Known Member

    I just found out on Wildwinds that denomination of my coin is 1 Assarion. That's BMC 408- Ant 3b. Anyone familiar with this denomination ?
     
  20. Mikey Zee

    Mikey Zee Delenda Est Carthago

    I just google it and I was informed that it is 1/10 of a drachma...Now we both know LOL
     
  21. Orfew

    Orfew Draco dormiens nunquam titillandus

    Great coins all.
     
Draft saved Draft deleted

Share This Page