I keep telling myself that I am not collecting Postumus but I keep buying ones I did not have. The one that arrived today is SAECVLI FELICITAS with bearded ruler holding globe and spear. I remain unconvinced by those who claim to know how to assign these to mints and find it interesting how many are sold giving the RIC number as 83 or 325 even though they list a mint name. I do not have, or read the languages, standard references to see if either of their systems make sense to me. I'd love to hear your opinions as long as they come with a suggestion of why that city makes sense over the competition. This is not my best Postumus but a decent one of the handsome gentleman. I do note that there are many types that seem to share fabric characteristics rather consistent to that type making it very hard to find some types in decent shape compared to others. I do wish someone would publish a discussion summarizing the study of these coins. Postumus 'em if you got 'em.
Postumus always looks so jolly. I too am puzzled by the assignment of his coins to mints based on portrait style (specifically, his hair), despite having looked at visual aids. I'd also like to hear a current and educated opinion on the matter. I have just one Postumus and you're all probably sick of seeing it by now. I'll post it again anyway . Postumus CE 260-269 antoninianus, 20 x 22 mm, 3.0 gm struck CE 263 Obv: IMP C POSTVMVS P F AVG, radiate, draped, and cuirassed bust right Rev: PROVIDENTIA AVG, Providentia standing left, leaning on a column, holding a scepter in her right hand and a cornucopiae in her left; at her feet to left, globe Ref: RIC VII 81, Cologne [supposedly; I certainly don't know this for a fact]; AGK (corr.) 70. Cunetio -. Elmer 334. Gilljam -
Great coin, Doug. I like the reverse especially. He does have some sort of appeal to him. Maybe he was charismatic in real life and it shines through to his coins? My same old Posty... Postumus (260 - 269 A.D.) AR Antoninianus O: IMP C POSTVMVS P F AVG, Radiate, draped, and cuirassed bust right. R: FIDES EXERCITVS Four military standards, hand on top of second, eagle on third. Lugdunum (Lyon) mint. Struck 266 A.D. 3.8g 20mm RIC V 303; Cunetio 2432; Elmer 417; RSC 65
This is the bucket of Postumus that I have... RI Postumus 259-268 BCE Antoninianus Cologne Providentia RI Postumus struck by Aureolus 268 CE Revolt of Milan Concordia
Billon Antoninianus Attributed by RIC to Cologne, AD 265-68 2.84 g, 21.1 mm IMP C POSTVMVS AVG, radiate, draped and cuirassed bust, r. SALVS AVG, Aesculapius standing facing, head l., holding snake-entwined staff; globe at feet, r. RIC 86; Hunter 85, 86; Cohen 336; Sear 10985; DeWitte 280
I have no idea about which mint other than what I've read about hair style. If there is a way to identify the mint, I would like to know.
I've only the one. More than happy to share it again. Postumus with Pax on rev. Obtained from YOC via JA Sorry for that min or tech mis hap. I set out to get all Pax rev coins, have learned some are R1-3.
Great coin Doug. That reverse is simply fantastic. I don't collect these either but did buy one recently. With a scarcer reverse type. The reverse made me think that Postumus had been pumping iron and is depicting himself as He-Man. Postumus - Antoninianus Obv:– IMP C POSTVMVS P F AVG, Radiate, draped and cuirassed bust right Rev:– VIRTVS AVG, Emperor (sometimes referred to as Mars) advancing right, holding spear and shield, small captive to right. Minted in Cologne. A.D. 266 Reference– RIC 331; Elmer 291; AGK (corr.) 103; Cunetio 2427. All examples I have been able to find come from the same die pair
I've always liked the fact that you can score a decent Postumus antoninianus for all of $20 and a very nice one for about $40. Most are common, but many are reasonably well-struck and centered for the period... it's already been mentioned how handsome the man was, but I suppose that bears repeating . Postumus, unlike the other Gallic emperors, has many rare and more interesting types we don't often get to see, but I like that he cared enough about his coins to at least have them. I wouldn't be able to afford the $2000-$4000 it would cost to acquire those rarities, but the demand for them is there. I wonder how many here know that @TIF's rare variety of the common Providentia reverse would fetch closer to $400 than $40. My common but decent Saeculi Felicitas. Scarcer and interesting early issue with a horned Rhine river god reverse, but still probably only a $20 coin, if that.
This is a great example of a Postumus type that usually comes in poor shape. Just try to find one as nice as Zumbly's Saeculi Felicitas. Part of it is the difference in alloy that occurred over a very short time period. After a time of ugly billon, we see the copper looking coins that can, once again be quite nice. I don't have a Providentia of any variety. Can you explain what makes it so much more valuable than Bing's common one for example? Are there enough Postumus specialists that make rarity alone enough? I understand the up-price for many of his rare types that have added interest like the British Museum coin below but not the Providentia with wand down.
Sure. This is my Postumus denomination set: Postumus, AD 260-269 AE “Double" Sestertius, 33mm, 24.9g, 12h; Colonia Agrippinensis or Treveri mint. Obv.: IMP C M CASS LAT POSTVMVS P F AVG; Radiate, draped and cuirassed bust right. Rev.: LAETITIA AVG (AVG in exergue); Galley left, four rowers and steersman Postumus, AD 260-269 Ӕ Sestertius, 31x29mm, 19.2g, 12h; Lugdunum mint, AD 261 Obv.: IMP C POSTVMVS PF AVG, laureate, draped and cuirassed bust right. Rev.: VIRTVS AVG, Mars standing right holding spear and leaning on shield. Gallic Empire, Postumus, AD 260-269 Billon Antoninianus, 1.5g, 20mm, 7h; Uncertain Gallic mint. Obv.: IMP C POSTVMVS PF AVG; Radiate, draped, cuirassed bust right. Rev.: PROVIDENTIA AVG; Providentia standing left, holding globe and scepter.
I can't explain, but that was pretty much my point... common as many of his issues are, there are still enough specialists of his to hold up the price of a rare minor variation like TIF's... at least from what I saw of the hammer prices of a fair number of examples from acsearch (from back when you could still see hammer prices for free). This is the most recent example I know of, from last year, hammering at CHF 585 before fees: https://www.sixbid.com/browse.html?auction=1781&category=37210&lot=1577930
I can't explain either. While I'm happy to have it as my lone Postumus example, if a specialist really wanted mine I'd sell it. I didn't realize until recently that Postumus had so many interesting and varied reverses! I may keep an eye out for a few more
I picked up this Postumus double sestertius from JA's auction. Postumus, AD 259-268 Æ Double Sestertius, 23g, 35mm, 6h; Struck 261 AD. Obv.: IMP C M CASS LAT POSTVMVS P F AVG, radiate, draped, and cuirassed bust right / Rev.: P M TR P COS II P P, Emperor standing left, holding globe and sceptre. Reference: RIC V pt. 2, 106; Bastien 63; Elmer 213; Coh. 246 John
Funny thing, I,m learning a lot from you guys. And I thought Antoninianus was the guys name on the coin! Didn't know it was the denomination...Lots to learn here. So Postumus is the guy on this coin? I thought it meant after death, Antoninianus, and made after he had passed. My Grasp of Latin and Greek are Terrrible. Thanks for helping a newb . You guys are great here.
