[ancients] Double double sestertius of Postumus

I had been looking for one of these for some time now, so when a seller was auctioning a few that looked to be within my budget, I put in my bids and ended up with a double double sestertius win for about $85.

You can see from the pictures that they both have some problems, but I'm really happy with them. I do prefer the smaller one with the two Victories reverse and its distinctly 'Atelier II' (uncertain secondary mint) style portrait.

Also, the seller had some notes in French, parts of which google translate doesn't seem to adequately handle. I'm hoping any French speakers here can help me with them :

For the 1st coin -
Même coin de droit que l’exemplaire publié dans l’ouvrage de Pierre Bastien, “le monnayage de bronze de Postume”, n° 146i, provenant du stock S. Boutin. Semble également du même coin de revers.

For the 2nd coin -
Selon le classement de Daniel Gricourt et Dominique Hollard, exemplaire de la première phase, graveur A. Exemplaire de mêmes coins que l’exemplaire 152g, reproduit dans l’ouvrage de Pierre Bastien, provenant de la collection J. P. Garnier.



TOP :
POSTUMUS (260 - 269 AD, Gallic Empire)
Double Sestertius
17.83g, 32.5mm, Atelier II, 261 - 263 AD, RIC 143, Sear 11049 var, Bastien 146 (22 ex.)
O: IMP C M CASS LAT POSTVMVS P F AVG, radiate, draped and cuirassed bust right.
R: LAETITIA AVG, galley sailing right with rowers and a helmsman.

BOTTOM :
POSTUMUS (260 - 269 AD, Gallic Empire)
Double Sestertius
9.85g, 27mm, Atelier II, 261 - 263 AD, RIC 166, Sear 11069, BASTIEN 152 (15 ex.)
O: IMP C M CASS LAT POSTVMVS P F AVG, radiate, draped and cuirassed bust right.
R: VICTORIAE AVG, two Victories standing face to face, attaching A shield to A palm tree, captives seated left and right below, S C in ex.

Thanks!

Z.

 

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Nice large coins. Even with the portrait problems on the first coin, the reverse makes up for it.

 

Nice => wow Z, that's a very attractive pair of big bronze Postumus babies!!

... I'm quite jealous of your new catch!!

 

Very nice! Unless you're very well-heeled, it seems you've got to compromise on grades when it comes to sestertii. I like the big, worn coins as much as smaller, higher-grade LRB's. Apples and oranges.

 

Great big ancient bronzes always have a pull, don't they?

 

Great additions.

 

Awesome coins.

I must admit though as a Canadian reading double double Sestertius I thought you were going to show me a picture of a coin with a cup of Tim Hortons on it...

 

i like me some big bronze romans.

the second one with the two victories is very nice.

good pick ups Z!

 

Nice coins, Zumbly!

Here is my best shot at a translation:

For the 1st coin -
Même coin de droit que l’exemplaire publié dans l’ouvrage de Pierre Bastien, “le monnayage de bronze de Postume”, n° 146i, provenant du stock S. Boutin. Semble également du même coin de revers.

Translation:
Same obverse die as the example published in P. Bastiens work, 'The bronze coinage of Postumus', Number 146i, from the inventory of S. Boutin. Seems to be the of the same
reverse die.


For the 2nd coin -
Selon le classement de Daniel Gricourt et Dominique Hollard, exemplaire de la première phase, graveur A. Exemplaire de mêmes coins que l’exemplaire 152g, reproduit dans l’ouvrage de Pierre Bastien, provenant de la collection J. P. Garnier.

Translation:
According to the attribution/classification by D. Gricourt and D. Hollard, this is an example of the first phase (of coinage), engraver A. From the same dies as specimen
152g, reproduced in the work by P.Bastien, from the collection of J.P Garnier.

I hope that helps,

 

Keep an eye out for these overstruck on Antonine sestertii. Many are quite flat suggesting they may also have been on flans hammered down from earlier coins but there are some with identifiable undertypes. There is also a Postumus on Faustina II which has a cut in countermark XLII from the 5th century. I'd love to have had that one but it sold way over my head decades ago. Both of the op coins have far above average reverses. Mine are more average.

 

That sorts it out for me, Eduard. Thanks so much.

 

Hah! I had a good chuckle when I googled the reference.

 

Thanks all for the comments and Doug for posting your examples. I like all big bronzes, but for some reason or other these scruffy Postumus ones in particular.

 

Neat coins!