Featured The LUGDUNUM mint challenge

Oh Lyon, la belle cité !
Maybe you’ll call me a chauvinist. Lugdunum (Lyon), this is true, is the hometown of my ancestors.But it’s also a place with a rich history in the ancient Roman world. So let’s overview some interesting details about this famous polis and mostly about his monetary workshop.
The city
Lugdunum and its region are at the crossroads of Western Europe, joining the North Sea to the Mediterranean Sea and Eastern Europe to the Atlantic Ocean. Many centuries ago, it was built for his strategic location. Today it is still the third biggest city in France. Lugdunum is composed of two Gallic words : Lug was the Celtic god of the order and the right, and dunos (fortress or hill), the whole thus designating the “fortress of Lug”. In Roman times, the city was called Caput Gallilae, “capital of Gaul”. It was founded in 43 BC and reached a population of up to 200000 inhabitants at the summum of its glory.

LUCIUS MUNATIUS PLANCUS, FOUNDER OF LUGDUNUM

The city was the subject of many attentions from the emperors. Augustus came at least three times, Drusus, brother of the future emperor Tiberius, resided in Lyon for four years. The city also received the visit of the emperors Caligula between 37 and 41 and Claude in 43 and 44. According to Suetonius, during one of his visit, Caligula organized a contest of eloquence in greek or latin. The competitors who had particularly displeased him were ordered to erase their writings with a sponge or with their tongues, unless they would be beaten or rushed into the nearby river...
In 64 AD, the dignitaries of the city heard about the fire that ravaged Rome, so they decided to send 4 million sesterces to help for the reconstruction. The next year, in 65 AD, Lugdunum was also hit by a terrible fire ; Nero donated the same amount of money to assist the citizens in the restoration of the town. The city lost a part of his glory at the end of the 2nd century AD when Lugdunum took the side of Clodius Albinus in the civil war of 196-197. After Septimius Severus defeated Albinus in the “battle of Lugdunum”, he made them pay and punished the city severely by confiscation, banishment or execution. It was also plundered and badly damaged in the battle ; Lugdunum never fully recovered from the devastation of the war, but it would still be for more than 100 years the most important city of Gaul. Finally, at the end of the 3rd century, during the reorganization of the Tetrarchy, Lugdunum lost his rank of capital of Gaul in 297 AD, in favor of Trier, closer to the Rhine border.

QUIZ : Two emperors and a famous governor known in profane and biblical history are born in Lugdunum. Could you name them ?

A ROMAN THEATRE IN LYON

The mint
A monetary workshop is created in Lugdunum from 43 BC , the year the city was founded. This first workshop is promoted to the rank of imperial currency workshop in 15 BC, when Octavian became Augustus. It rapidly becomes one of the most important workshops of the Empire. The workshop then changes dimension, in order to provide for the pay of soldiers stationed in Gaul or the Rhine region mostly. Between 15 BC and 64 AD, under the reigns of Tiberius, Caligula, Claudius and Nero, this workshop of Lugdunum is the only one of the Roman Empire to strike gold and silver. (At this time there were no mintmarks and coins are attributed to the mint on the basis of their style ,including features such as the addition of a globe at the base of the bust).The existing production under Nero continues under Galba. There does not seem to be any more strikes under Otto, who would only have struck in Rome. The workshop is reopened by Vitellius and he then issues only gold and silver coins. The mint closes in 78 AD, to reopen only very temporarily in 197 AD, under Clodius Albinus. The pretender, coming from Brittany, stops at Lugdunum and strucked a series of money to get ready for his attack against Rome. The workshop is set up quickly and works a few months.
We will have to wait until the end of the 3rd century under Aurelian, possibly in 274 AD, so that the mint really restart his service, because of the increase of activity of the legions to pay during these times of anarchy. The workshop again takes the lead in the production of the official currencies of the Empire. However from 294 AD the Roman imperial power took the decision to create a monetary workshop in Trier, and the Lugdunum workshop is thus reduced to the rank of secondary mint. Production activities never ceased during the 4th century until the beginning of the 5th century, around 413 AD.
This mint was active under the following issuers:

• Augustus - 31 BC - AD 14
• Tiberius - AD 14 - AD 37
• Antonia - AD 41 - AD 54
• Claudius - AD 41 - AD 54
• Nero - AD 54 - AD 68
• Galba - AD 68 - AD 69
• Vespasian - AD 69 - AD 79
• Vitellius - AD 69
• Titus - AD 79 - AD 81
• Domitian - AD 81 - AD 96
• Clodius Albinus - AD 193 - AD 197
• Postumus - AD 260 - AD 269
• Aurelian - AD 270 - AD 275
• Severina - AD 270 - AD
• Florian - AD 276 - AD 276
• Probus - AD 276 - AD 282
• Carus - AD 282 - AD 283
• Numerian - AD 282 - AD 284
• Carinus - AD 283 - AD 285
• Magnia Urbica - AD 283 - AD 285
• Diocletian (pre-reform) - AD 284 - AD 294
• Diocletian - AD 284 - AD 305
• Maximian I (pre-reform) - AD 286 - AD 294
• Maximian I - AD 286 - AD 310
• Galerius - AD 293 - AD 311
• Constantius I - AD 293 - AD 306
• Galerius (pre-reform) - AD 293 - AD 311
• Severus - AD 305 - AD 307
• Maximinus Daia - AD 305 - AD 313
• Maxentius - AD 306 - AD 312
• Constantine I - AD 306 - AD 337
• Licinius I - AD 308 - AD 324
• Constantine II - AD 317 - AD 340
• Crispus - AD 317 - AD 326
• Licinius II - AD 317 - AD 324
• Constantius II - AD 323 - AD 361
• Fausta - AD 324 - AD 328
• Helena - AD 324 - AD 341
• Constans - AD 333 - AD 350
• Dalmatius - AD 335 - AD 337
• Decentius - AD 350 - 353
• Magnentius - AD 350 - AD 353
• Constantius Gallus - AD 351 - AD 354
• Julian - AD 355 - AD 363
• Jovian - AD 363 - AD 364
• Valens - AD 364 - AD 378
• Valentinian I - AD 364 - AD 375
• Gratian - AD 367 - AD 383
• Valentinian II - AD 375 - AD 392
• Theodosius I - AD 379 - AD 395
• Magnus Maximus - AD 383 - AD 388
• Arcadius - AD 383 - AD 408
• Flavius Victor - AD 387 - AD 388
• Eugenius - AD 392 - AD 394
• Honorius (emperor) - AD 393 - AD 423
• Constantine III - AD 407 - AD 411
• Jovinus - AD 411 - AD 413
• Constantius III - AD 421 - AD 421

Now here’s the CHALLENGE : how many different coins from Lugdunum can we post ? I ask for your help, Coin Talk members. Show us your Lugdunum babies !

These are mine :

CLAUDIUS RIC 52


TITUS RIC 1273


PROBUS RIC 37


DIOCLETIAN RIC 216

 

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Nice write up and coins (I really dig that Claudius)
Here's some of the early boys:

Augustus
Silver Denarius, 27 BC-CE 14. Lugdunum, 2 BC-AD 12. CAESAR AVGVSTVS DIVI F PATER PATRIAE, laureate head of Augustus right. Reverse: AVGVSTI F COS DESIG PRINC IVVENT around, CL CAESARES in exergue, Gaius and Lucius Caesars standing facing, each togate and resting a hand on one of two shields set on ground between them; behind shields, two crossed spears; above, on left, simpulum right, and on right, lituus left. RIC 207

Tiberius
AD 14-37 CE. AR Denarius minted at Lugdunum. Laureate head right of Tiberius. Reverse: Female figure (Livia?) seated right. RIC 26; BMC 34. Appealing portrait; Choice Very Fine.
The "Tribute Penny" of Biblical fame.


NERO
54-68 CE. AE Dupondius of
Lugdunum, 66. Laureate
head / Securitas seated with
sceptre. RIC.445.

 

Here are a few

Caligula and Agrippina AR Denarius, aF, toned, bumps and marks,
(17.84mm, 2.680g) 180o
Lugdunum (Lyon, France) mint, end of 37 - early 38 A.D.;
Obv: C CAESAR AVG GERM P M TR POT (counterclockwise), laureate head of Gaius right;
Rev: AGRIPPINA MAT C CAES AVG GERM (counterclockwise), draped bust of Agrippina Senior (his mother), her hair in a queue behind, one curly lock falls loose on the side of her neck,
RIC I 14 (R) (Rome), RSC II 2; BMCRE I 15 (Rome), BnF II 24, Hunter I 7 (Rome), SRCV I (2000) 1825 RSC 2
Ex: the Jyrki Muona Collection, Ex: Forvm Ancient Coins.
Purchased September 24, 2015 Forvm Ancient Coins.





Gaius, Silver denarius, RIC I 16 (R2, Rome), RSC I 2, Lyon 167, BnF II 21, BMCRE I 17, cf. SRCV I 1807 (aureus), VF, toned, attractive portraits, bumps and marks, some pitting, lamination defects, ex jewelry, Lugdunum (Lyon, France) mint, weight 3.443g, maximum diameter 18.2mm, die axis 180o, 2nd emission, 37 - 38 A.D.; obverse C CAESAR AVG GERM P M TR POT (counterclockwise from lower right), laureate head of Caligula right; reverse DIVVS AVG PATER PATRIAE (counterclockwise from lower right), radiate head of Divus Augustus right; ex Classical Numismatic Group, e-auction 69 (23 July 2003), lot 90
Ex: Forum Ancient coins, March 2, 2018.




Nero. A.D. 61. AR denarius
(18.40 mm, 3.37 g, 7 h).
Lugdunum (Lyon) mint.
Obv: NERO CAESAR AVG IMP, bare head right
Rev: PONTIF MAX TR P VIII COS IIII P P, EX S C across field, Roma standing right, holding and inscribing shield supported on knee, foot on helmet; dagger and bow at feet to right.
RIC 34 (R3); RSC 231. aVF, toned. Rare.
From the D. Thomas Collection;
Ex Hohn Leipziger Munzhandlung. Auction 85 June 2-4 2016 Lot 1382
Ex: Agora Auctons sale 68 Lot 195 August 15 2017.


Augustus. 27 BC-AD 14. AR denarius .
Octavian as Augustus, 27 BC – 14 AD Denarius
Lugdunum circa 13-14,
18mm., 3.56g.
Obv: Laureate head r.
Rev. Tiberius in triumphal quadriga r., holding laurel branch and eagle-tipped sceptre.
RSC 301. RIC 224.
Ex: Naville Numismatics Live auction 50 Lot 439 June 23, 2019



Tiberius, 14-37 Denarius Lugdunum circa 15-16, AR (18.55 mm., 3.85 g).
Obv: TI CAESAR DIVI - AVG F AVGVSTVS Laureate head r.
Rev: TR POT XVII IMP VII Tiberius holding branch and eagle-tipped scepter in triumphal quadriga r.
RIC 4. C 48. SRCV I (2000) 1762
Ex: Naville Numismatics Auction #25 Lot #407 September 25, 2016

 

That Tiberius though...

 

Clodius Albinus GEN LVG - unfortunately my coin suffers from extreme damage from a die clash which removed a chunk of the reverse die. That same damage is why I bought the coin. It is my only Lugdunum mint Albinus.

 

Diocletian pre-reform SML mintmark / Jupiter

 

Maximianus pre-reform / Pax officina III

 

Galerius pre-reform

 

Should we allow the Lugdunum mint commemoratives? I don't have a Constantinopolis but here is a Urbs Roma PLG.

 

Here are three nummi struck at the Lyon Mint from my collection.



Galerius as Caesar, circa AD 301-303, 1st Officina, 9.66 gm. RIC 167b. RARE


Constantius I as Caesar, AD 301-303, 2nd Officina, 9.64 gm. RIC 170a, RARE


Constantius I as Augustus, May 1, AD 305 - July 25, 306, 10.61 gm, RIC 187a. SCARCE. Constantius I held the rank of Augustus for only 18 months.

 

I have one ugly little coin in my collection from Lugdunum that was minted in the name of Constantine II.

Constantine II Billon reduced centenionalis, 336 AD, as caesar, Lugdunum (Lyon, France) mint, 2nd officina.
17.2mm 1.615g,
Obv: CONSTANTINVS IVN NOB C, laureate and cuirassed bust right, from the front.
Rev: GLOR-IA EXERC-ITVS, soldiers standing facing, heads turned inward confronted, standard in center between them, each holds a spear in outer hand and rests inner hand on grounded shield, *SLG in exergue.
RIC VII Lyons 281

 

Here are 3 from Lugdunum with Pax on the reverse (although there really wasn’t much “Pax” and Quiet in the late 3rd century).


Probus, Antoninianus (Silvered bronze, 24 mm, 3.56 g), Lugdunum, 282. Radiate and cuirassed bust of Probus to right. Rev. Pax standing front, head to left, holding branch in her right hand and transverse scepter in her left. RIC 119.


Carus, Antoninianus, (23 mm, 4.15 g), 283, Lugdunum,IMP C M AVR CARUS AVG, Radiate and cuirassed bust of Carus to Right/ Rev. PAX AUGG, Pax standing front, holding branch in her right hand and long transverse scepter with her left, B in left field. RIC 13

Maximianus, Silvered Antoninianus,
Lugdunum. (22mm., 3.53), Radiate and cuirassed bust R, Rev.- PAX AUGG, RIC V 399

 

AUGUSTUS
AR Denarius
OBVERSE: AVGVSTUS DIVI F, bare head right
REVERSE: Bull butting right
IMP X in exergue
Lugdunum 15-13 BC
3.7g, 18mm
RIC I 167a, BMC 451. C 137, CBN 1382

AUGUSTUS
AR Denarius
OBVERSE: CAESAR AVGVSTVS DIVI F PATER PATRIAE. laureate head right
REVERSE: AVGVSTI F COS DESIG PRINC IVVENT, C L CAESARES below, Gaius & Lucius standing front with shields & spears; in field above, a simpulum & lituus (in "Pd" formation)
Lugdunum 4-2 BC
3.5g, 18mm
RIC 210

TIBERIUS
AR Denarius
OBVERSE: TI CAESAR DIVI AVG AVGVSTVS, laureate head right
REVERSE: PONTIF MAXIM, Livia, as Pax, holding long sceptre & olive branch, seated right on throne with ornate legs, single line below
Lugdunum 14-37 AD
3.75g, 19mm
RIC 30, RSC 16a, BMC 48

CALIGULA
AR Denarius
OBVERSE: C CAESAR AVG GERM P M TR POT, bare head right
REVERSE: DIVVS AVG PATER PATRIAE, radiate head of Divus Augustus right
Struck at Lugdunum, 37/8AD
3.5g, 18mm
RIC I 10

SALONINA
Antoninianus
OBVERSE: SALONINA AVG, diademed and draped bust right, resting on crescent
REVERSE: DEAE SEGETIAE, statue of Segetiae or Ceres, nimbate, standing facing in four-columned temple, both hands raised
Struck at Lugdunum, 258 AD
3.1g, 22mm
RIC 5

SALONINUS
Antoninianus
OBVERSE: SAL VALERIANVS CAES, radiate draped bust right
REVERSE: PRINC IVVENT, prince standing left holding baton & standard
Struck at Lugdunum, 259-260 AD
2.2g, 21mm
RIC 10, C 61

POSTUMUS
Antoninianus
OBVERSE: IMP C POSTVMVS PF AVG, his radiate, draped and cuirassed bust rt
REVERSE: PAX AVG - Pax advancing left, holding branch and scepter
Struck at Lugdunum, 259-268 AD
3.8g, 22mm
RIC 78

PROBUS
Antoninianus
OBVERSE: IMP C M AVR PROBVS AVG, radiate & cuirassed bust right.
REVERSE: MARS VICTOR, Mars advancing right, bearing trophy & spear. Mintmark III
Struck at Lugdunum, 277 AD
5.1g, 23mm
RIC 37, III

NUMERIAN
Antoninianus
OBVERSE: M AVR NVMERIANVS NOB C, radiate, draped & cuirassed bust right
REVERSE: MARS VICTOR, Mars advancing right with spear & trophy, C to right
Struck at Lugdunum, 284 AD
3.5g, 22.5mm
RIC 353c

MAGNUS MAXIMUS
AE2
OBVERSE: D N MAG MAXI-MVS PF AVG, pearl diademed, draped, cuirassed bust right
REVERSE: REPARATIO-REIPVB, Emperor standing facing, head left, holding Victory on globe in left hand and raising kneeling woman, turreted headdress. P or D in right field. LVGP in ex.
Struck at Lugdunum 383-88 AD
4.6g, 23mm
RIC 32

 

LUGDUNUM


ANTONIUS (Looks like his Wife opened the mint in 43 BCE)

RImp Marc Antony 43 BCE AR Quinarius 13mm 1.67g Lugdunum Winged bust Victory-probly Fulvia Lion DVNI LVGV Cr 489-5 Syd 1160


GALBA


GALBA 68-69 BCE
AR Quinarius 15mm, 1.5g; Lugdunum mint
Ox: SER GALBA IMP CAESAR AVG P M TR, laureate head right
Rx VICTORIAE GALBAE AVG, Victory on globe standing left
RIC 131 scarce
Ex @Brian Bucklan

 

Nero bronzes from the Lugdunum mint are my favorites.

 

Nice thread and certainly feature worthy!
I only have the commemorative @dougsmit mentioned:

Time of Constantine I and Sons.
Æ Follis, 15mm, 2.8g, 6h; Lugdunum mint, AD 330-331.
Obv.: VRBS ROMA, helmeted and mantled bust of Roma left,
Rev.: She-wolf standing left, suckling the twins Romulus and Remus; two stars above // •PLG
Ref: RIC VII 247

 

Augustus, Lugdunum 15 - 13 BC
17 x 18.5 mm, 3.90 g
Ref.: : RIC I 171A; Lyon 28; RSC 144;

Ob.: AVGVSTVS DIVI•F bare head of Augustus right;
Rev.: IMP • X across field, ACT • in exergue, Apollo Citharoedus of Actium, wearing long drapery, standing facing, head left, holding plectrum in right hand and lyre in left

​

 

(1) Tiberius, Giard Lyon, Group 3, 147; RIC I, 29; C. 15; BMCR 46; Calico 350


(2) Tiberius, Giard Lyon, Group 4, 150; RIC I, 30; BMCR 48
(3) Tacitus, Estiot no. 1451; RIC V/1, 61; C. 137; Bastien 64


(4) Carinus, RIC V/2, 212; C. 8


Jochen

 

You definitely don't want me adding all my Lugdunum coins to this thread as I would kill it stone dead. I have gathered over 600 coins from this mint over the years. I will pick out a small selection of them and add them every now and than rather than swamp you with them all. I will try and be selective and pick out some coins that are of some that are of interest for some reason or other.

Augustus:-

One of the most popular and mass produced types for the mint at this time.

Obv:– CAESAR AVGVSTVS DIVI F PATER PATRIAE, Laureate head right
Rev:– C L CAESARES AVGVSTI F COS DESIG PRINC IVVENT, Caius and Lucius Caesars togate stand facing, each resting hand on a round shield with spear behind, above center on left a simpulum right and on right a lituus left
Minted in Lugdunum. B.C. 2 to A.D. 4.
Ref:– BMC 533. RIC I Augustus 207




Several other attractive designs were produced.

Obv:– AVGVSTVS DIVI F, Bare head right
Rev:– IMP X either side of Apollo Citharoedus standing left with lyre, ACT in exe,
Minted in Lugdunum. 15 - 13 B.C.
Reference:– BMC 461. RIC I Augustus 171a. RSC 144.

Weight 3.76g. 18.32mm



Obv:– AVGVSTVS DIVI F. Augustus, bare head, right
Rev:– IMP. XI below capricorn right, holding globe
Minted in Lugdunum. 12 B.C.
Reference:– BMC 465. RIC I Augustus 174.

Weight 3.68g. 19.70mm

 

The Altar of Lugdunum makes an appearance on bronzes at this time

Augustus

Æ As.
Obv:– CAESAR PONT MAX, Laureate bust right. “CCARN" in circle in countermark.
Rev:– ROM ET AVG; Front elevation of the Altar in Lyon, decorated with the corona civica between laurels, these being made by nude male figures, usually stylized, to left and right, Victories on columns facing one another.
Minted in Lugdunum. B.C. 15 to B.C. 10.
Ref:– BMC 550. RIC I Augustus 230

(Rare countermark)



Tiberius (as Ceasar under Augustus)

Æ As.
Obv:- TI CAESAR AVGVST F IMPERAT VII, laureate head right
Rev:- ROM ET AVG, front elevation of the Altar of Lugdunum, decorated with the corona civica between laurels, nude figures, & Victories.
Minted in Lugdunum. A.D. 12-14
Ref:- RIC 245 [Augustus], Cohen 37, BMC 585, Paris 1769
27 mm, 10.04gm