I added this to my collection tonight. I'm amazed at the detail on the obverse! (info and pics are the seller's): Postumus, 259 - 268 AD, silver Antoninianus, Mint of Lugdunum (modern day Lyon, France) O: Radiate, draped bust right. R: Mars standing right leaning on shield and holding spear. 3.5 g, 23 mm
I consider the reverse with Mars by far the better side of this coin. This one is fully struck with excellent detail on the figure. I will have to point a critical finger at the overlong fingers on Mars which remind me of the movie ET but, from a strike sense, this is an excellent reverse.
I had eyeballed that coin too but some other best offers got accepted so I had to pass. Nice coin addition though.
Very nice. I like the rev. alot too. It does remind me a bit of ET too lol "ouch" might be a fitting quote
Love that reverse That one looks spectacular. I guess he would have been contemporary with Gallienus.
Very sharp reverse indeed, great coin. Not really the time period I am used to, but I quite fancy it. I have noticed the long fingers holding sceptres and spears on alot of Roman coins.... this one looks a bit longer than usual, still, it does little to detract away from the beauty and detail of the figure.
Following the capture of his father Valerian by the Persians, Gallienus was unable to cope with the wars on two fronts and Postumus established a separate Empire consisting of Gaul, Spain, Germany and Britain. He never was really a Roman Emperor. This separate Empire lasted longer than Postumus (who was killed by his own troops) until Aurelian reunited it 15 years later when Tetricus surrendered. I suspect it would be a really interesting period of history were it not for the fact that rather little was written down during those years and there is a lot about it that we just don't know. Coins are a major source of information on the period. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gallic_Empire What came from all this was the eventual realization that it was too much for one man to rule the huge empire. After a few really good attempts by strong rulers like Aurelian and Probus, Diocletian formally split the empire into two halves each with separate leadership. While the halves were joined a couple more times under really strong men, this eventually led to the fall of the West and the development of the East into what we now call the Byzantine Empire. There were many usurpers in Roman history but Postumus was the most successful.
Between the ET finger and the legs that go up to the guys ribs, I guess it is safe to say this was a less than experienced engraver. Interesting style. A lot of these are fun to stop and study, I didn't notice much when I first glanced at it. Interesting coin, and I agree the reverse is the best side.
