Rhine River Personified

Discussion in 'Ancient Coins' started by Roman Collector, Jan 1, 2019.

  1. Roman Collector

    Roman Collector Well-Known Member

    I saw zumbly's post about river god Rhinus looking like Krampus and I knew I had to acquire one of these SALVS PROVINCIARVM coins. Most of these coins are either poorly struck or poorly preserved, so finding a decent one at an affordable price was tricky. Fortunately, @Victor_Clark had one with a well-rendered reverse figure and I happily purchased it for my collection.

    Postumus SALVS PROVINCIARVM.jpg
    Postumus, AD 260-269.
    Roman billon antoninianus, 2.54 g, 22.4 mm, 12 h.
    Trier (some attribute to Cologne), 1st emission, 2nd phase, AD 260-261.
    Obv: IMP C POSTVMVS P F AVG, radiate, draped and cuirassed bust, right.
    Rev: SALVS PROVINCIARVM, river god Rhinus, bearded and horned, reclining left, resting right hand on boat and holding anchor in left, left arm resting on urn.
    Refs: RIC 87; RSC 355b; Mairat 1-5; RCV 10991; AGK 88c; De Witte 290; Hunter p. lxxxviii.

    The Rhine River is personified as having horns because the river itself was known by the Latin epithet bicornis (two-horned) in antiquity because the Rhine empties itself into the North Sea via two channels.

    Postumus SALVS PROVINCIARVM Rhine map.png

    Stevenson discusses this reverse type in his Dictionary of Roman Coins, available online at Forum.

    Postumus SALVS PROVINCIARVM Stevenson listing.JPG

    Let's see your coins depicting river gods, horned figures, or anything you feel is relevant!
     
    eparch, PeteB, TIF and 11 others like this.
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  3. ominus1

    ominus1 Well-Known Member

    ..that's an Ooo and a Ahhh..coin RC:)
     
    Roman Collector likes this.
  4. Ancient Aussie

    Ancient Aussie Well-Known Member

    Great coin RC, an unusual type not seen to often. My A/Pius Sestertius river god Tiberis.
    mTq84zRGbQ9rP6kcfbJ5n2PXFd7apS (1).jpg
     
    Ryro, Johndakerftw, zumbly and 5 others like this.
  5. Marsyas Mike

    Marsyas Mike Well-Known Member

    Nice one Roman Collector. Mine seems to be pretty much copper, rather than debased silver. The metal content was kind of wobbly in the Gallic Empire:

    Postumus - Ant Rhine Reclining Nov 18 (0).jpg


    Gallic Empire Antoninianus
    Postumus (260 A.D.)
    Trier Mint, 1st Emis., 2nd Ph.

    IMP C POSTVMVS P F AVG, radiate, draped & cuirassed right / SALVS PROVINCIARVM, river god Rhine, horns on head, reclining left, elbow on urn, hand on prow, holding anchor.
    RIC 87; RSC 355; Sear 10990.
    (2.78 grams / 24 x 21 mm)
     
    TIF, Ryro, Pellinore and 7 others like this.
  6. Bing

    Bing Illegitimi non carborundum Supporter

    Ditto!
     
    ominus1 and Roman Collector like this.
  7. Jay GT4

    Jay GT4 Well-Known Member

    This one is better in hand and deserves a better pic...
    Domitian_Sestertius.jpg

    RIC 356 Domitian AE Sestertius

    IMP CAES DOMIT AVG GERM COS XI CENS POT PP
    Laureate head of Domitian right

    SC
    Domitian standing left holding spear and parazonium, right foot on a reclining figure of Rhenus (The Rhine)

    Rome 85 AD

    25.47g

    RIC 356 (C)

    From the Enrico collection
    This is the Wildwinds example
     
    Marsyas Mike, TIF, Bing and 7 others like this.
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