here are two new additions to my collection Maximinus II A.D. 308 26mm 6.1g GAL VAL MAXIMINVS NOB CAES; laureate head right. VIRTVS MILITVM; camp-gate with portcullis surmounted by four turrets. In ex. MKΓ RIC VI Cyzicus 40 Valens A.D. 364- 378 22mm 4.4g D N VALEN-S P F AVG; pearl-diademed, draped and cuirassed bust right. GLORI-A ROMA-NORVM; campgate with two turrets, no doors; S above. in ex. SMTR RIC IX Trier 29b
Wonderful additions! Campgates on large AEs seem to be very rare compared to smaller AEs. I especially like the Maximinus II....that is a fancy follis! Is it from 114? I remember seeing it in a CNG auction not too long ago.
Those are both wonderful new additions, Victor. I honestly never seen camp gates on that large before.
The Valens piece is absolutely extraordinary and had to be minted for some particular event -- possibly the defeat of Procopius?
I love that Maximinus - wow.. If that was the reverse on a medieval coin I would call that design over the door a portcullis. Amazing coin all around.
Yes.. sorry I see that now... I was kind of enchanted by the coin and didn't read your description..lol Can you please give your opinion as to what is actually pictured? "Camp Gates" I know is used as a general term for these types but doesn't make a lot of sense to many..
there is always a chance, but it seems more likely it was minted as a special "medallete" marking the occasion of Gratian being raised to emperor. The mintmark SMTR was employed for gold coins circa 377- 379. Procopius just wasn't a big deal in the West and one gold coin from this period with SMTR was even struck for Gratian as PRICIPIVM IVVENTVTVTIS. There is still a lot of propaganda with standard types being issued, like the reverse of this type GLORIA ROMANORVM which seems to merely reinfoce the standard mesage of Glory of the Romans, but with the addition of the new Emperor Gratian.
