Lean mean and Rivertine; River/Tiber patina on a Annius Verus (?) personifying Winter

I recently won this little rarity as a snack at the latest Auctiones GmbH (the duo of main courses to come in the next few weeks):

Anonymous AE Quadrans, 81-161 AD

Roman Imperial. Anonymous AE Quadrans (18 mm, 2.70 g). Time of Domitian to Antoninus Pius. Rome, AD 81-161.
Obv. Youthful veiled head of Annius Verus (?) as the personification of Winter to right, wearing wreath of reeds.
Rev. S•C within olive wreath fastened with jewel at apex.
Van Heesch pl. 25, 3; RIC 35.

Very rare. River patina. Fine.

Here is a super cherry version that is not mine:



Though, I do know there is debate on weather (see what I did there?) the personifications of the seasons

(Roman Four Seasons Mosaic from Villa Dar Buc Ammera, near Leptis Magna. Now displayed at the National Museum, Tripoli.)

on these coin types is actually Annius Verus, the co-ceasar alongside brother Commodus until his untimely demise at the tender age of 7 during an attempt to remove a tumor from behind his ear...by Commodus with a hacksaw!!!...jk

(actual found footage from that fateful day)

I believe the attribution may be wishful thinking, but am not entirely swayed to dismiss the attribution as possible, as nowhere does it say, Hiems. The actual name of the personified deity of winter to the Romans...though, nor does it say Annius name.


Either way, I am also concerned in this post with the river or rivertine patina! Something that I have never came across before. With very little resources online, the best that I can come up with is that it is when an ancient coin doesn't have a normal patina covering it but rather a nice golden shade or toning to the ancient bronze.
It appears to be the a different name for Tiber patina. The term "Tiber patina" comes from bronze coins found in the Tiber that do didn't have a mineral patina, however were still attractive.


Of course not all coins with this descriptor came from the Tiber, which is why I would venture to guess that is the reason folks are now saying river patina instead of Tiber. To avoid confusing people into thinking the coin came out of the fabled Tiber.



I would love to see other coins with river or Tiber patina, coins of the seasons personified/Annius Verus(?), thoughts

 

Log in or Sign up to hide this ad.

I don't know if that's a personification of winter. I do know it's the time of the season for loving! Love that little quadrans!

 

...hA!...great coin and two of me favorite groups!

 

Excellent choice. I almost went with that jam! ...but must say, I am a bit shocked you didn't post a coin.
Does this mean you don't have any of this type of coin, with a possible image of a child of Faustina the younger!?!?!

 

Faustina the younger!?!?!

i'm eyballin' a denarious of her at the moment and 'you know who' (RC) came to mind when i gazed upon it

 

Sadly and astonishingly, I don't.

 

If his wife ever finds out about her it'll be the second end to another Roman Empire!
Speaking of, here's my shabby denarius of her that is sorely in need of an upgrade:

 

..welp, one good turn deserves another......

 

I think these 2 coins match the term river patina:

 

A CONCORDIA reverse type. Various obverse inscriptions and hairstyles on those.

 

..i LOVE mosaics!

 

Had this one a long time ago ... should have kept it. I think it's the "personification of summer" type.

 

Beware the many Annius fakes.