Here is a fun coin of Volusian that I recently added from the Richard McAlee collection. As someone who loves interesting portrait styles, I knew that I had to have this one as soon as I saw it, and I was very happy to end up winning it. In the portrait, Volusian is sporting some pretty stylish 1970s sideburns and a sweet moustache...a much different look for him than his usual busts. Volusian, AR Antoninianus (20mm, 4.67 g), Antioch mint, 4th officina. 3rd issue, 252-253 AD. IMP C C VIB VOLUSIANVS AVG, radiate, draped, and cuirassed bust right, seen from behind/ AEQVITAS AVG, Aequitas standing left, holding scales and cornucopia; IV in exergue. RIC IV 215. CNG E-Auction 475, From the Richard McAlee Collection Every time I look at this one, I see a strong resemblance to a young Burt Reynolds. Although I obviously enjoy the fun portrait style (and the pedigree), what I also like about this coin is that it serves as a reminder of just how young some of these emperors were. Volusian was elevated to augustus by his father, Trebonianus Gallus in 251 A.D., and just a year-and-a-half later, Volusian and T-Bone were both assassinated, likely by their own troops. Volusian was just 22 years old at the time of his death. In this portrait, he looks much more like a fun college-aged kid ready to go out and party than the (co)-ruler of the Empire. In the end, like several others in the mid-3rd Century, he made the unfortunate mistake (if he had a choice at all) of following his father into politics. I'm happy that the folks at the Antioch mint at least left us this nice tribute to him. Please share your coins featuring sideburns, moustaches, interesting facial hair, or any (less-stylish) Volusians.
I don't have any coins with good sideburns or other hair. But here is John Lennon rocking the Volusian chops.
TI VETURIUS ROMAN REPUBLIC; GENS VETURIA AR Denarius OBVERSE: Helmeted bust of Mars right REVERSE: Youth kneeling l., between two warriors who touch with their swords a pig which he holds., ROMA above Struck at Rome 137 BC 3.7g, 18mm Cr.234/1; RSC Veturia 1
I looked through my pictures and this Quintillus stood out for his nice 'chops and a decent stache too. Shame the picture isn't better. I should work on that... Quintillus AE Antoninianus Obverse: IMP C M AVR CL QVINTILLVS AVG, Radiate, draped, cuirassed bust right Reverse: VICTORIA AVG, Victory walking right, holding wreath and palm. Gamma in right field.
Nice, @Shea19 ... LOL, man, being back in the 70's... memories... But, I had a full beard. Fully Bearded Volusianus RI Volusian 251-253 CE AR Tet Antioch mint Eagle - son of Treb Gallus
I’ve always been jealous of Roman facial hair. Best I can do is a pedostache and fumanchu. I look closer to Elagabalus, minus the sideburns
Very neat, @Shea19. He definitely has a 70s vibe going. I've always liked the one below, with Gordie trying very hard to look manly. GORDIAN III AR Antoninianus. 3.96g, 22mm. Rome mint, AD 241-243. RIC 84. O: IMP GORDIANVS PIVS FEL AVG, radiate, draped, cuirassed bust right. R: IOVI STATORI, Jupiter, nude, standing front, head left, holding long sceptre in right hand and thunderbolt in left hand.
Octavian with sideburns. The unshaven look wasn't really "in" at this time, but it was an acceptable way to show mourning, in this case, mourning for Uncle Julius. So this is the closest thing I will ever get to a Julius Caesar portrait coin... Roman Imperatorial Denarius Octavian / Q Salvius, moneyer (40 B.C.) Military Mint in Italy C CAESA[R III] VR R P C, bare head of Octavian right, / Q SALVVS IMP COS D[ESIG], around thunderbolt. Crawford 523/1a; Sydenham 1326b. (3.58 grams / 18 mm)
Severus Alexander too, wanted to look more mature than he actually was Severus Alexander, Denarius - Rome mint, AD 232 IMP ALEXANDER PIVS AVG, laureate head right PROVIDENTIA AVG, Providentia standing left, holding cornucopia and branch, modius at feet 3.67 gr Ref : RIC # 250, Cohen # 501, RCV # 7922 (75) Q
Volusian (251-253 A.D.) AE Sestertius, 29 mm 16 grams, Rome mint Obverse: IMP CAE C VIB VOLVSIANO AVG, laureate, draped and cuirassed bust right Reverse: FELICITAS PVBLICA S-C, Felicitas standing left, leaning on column, holding caduceus and sceptre. Reference: RIC 251a, Cohen 35, Sear 9786.
Impressive 'stache on the OP coin! About everytime I enter a coffee bar (or rather entered – such joys are currently on hiatus because of Covid) and look at the barrista, I realize with horror that this facial hairstyle is coming back... Thanks to wear, my Volusian looks cleanly shaven: Volusian, Roman Empire, antoninian, 251–253 AD, Mediolanum mint. Obv: IMP C C VIB VOLVSIANVS AVG, bust of Volusian, draped, cuirassed, radiate, r. Rev: VIRTVS AVGG, Virtus, helmeted and in military attire, standing r., holding spear in r. hand and leaning on shield with l. 22mm, 2.47g. Ref: RIC IV,3 Volusian 206.
