My new favorite (of the two that arrived today anyway) is a type I have been seeking for quite a while. I would expect more people to find this appealing than some of the coins I buy but, in the end, it is just another coin of a very common ruler. I'll explain below the photo but ask those who are willing to play to see what it is that made me want the type (not this coin). Compared to some specimens online (the French online replacement RIC V-1 site has several) this one is not bad but it has a fault that makes it less desirable to me than it could have been with just a little luck. Claudius II AE antoninianus, first posthumous issue, Milan RIC 264 Altar (nice flames) While the flan fissure would really be more appreciated somewhere else, the obverse reads DIVO CLAVDIO GOTHICO making the coin one of very few that refers to an emperor by his nickname. I'm not even sure how many of you call him Claudius Gothicus anymore. It was much more common in my earlier days in the hobby. There are coins of Elagabalus with ELAGAB on the reverse referring to his god. You will not find coins of Caracalla or Caligula with those words. There are a number of rulers using the names of defeated enemies but modern texts never call, for example, Trajan Dacicus which is good since we also have Trajan Decius. I'm not naming the others I know here since I'mm challenging all to upload photos of your coins that have legends naming the enemy as part of the ruler's name.
Man, now I am bummed. A fellow member of my coin club was selling coins, and an example of this reverse was in the $5 pile. I would have picked it up knowing this background. Wasn't quite as nice as your though Doug. Still, for $5 I would have loved the story.
I'd buy another for $5. This one was $15.50 postpaid. Be watchful for this obverse with the eagle reverse. I want that one. I have the short obverse one but not the GOTHICO. http://www.ric.mom.fr/en/search/adv...scription=&Note=&Reference=&page=1&mod=result
Really like this coin! I have the plain ol' DIVO CLAVDIO version. You're right, too about the flames... very nice! Not sure if this is what the challenge is asking for, but here's Maximinus Germ, with reverse also celebrating the victory against some Germanic tribe or other.
Doug, like you, I have one short version of the obverse with the eagle reverse without the 'Gothico' ...and wasn't even aware they had that enemy nick-name included on that coin as your OP. But, I was first introduced to Claudius as 'Gothicus', so I still refer to him and his coins that way. And, I love your OP coin and the 'fire altar'.... And my first and easiest choice, for a Ruler' with enemies nickname in the legend, would be of any number of 'Germanicus' examples---so I chose Germanicus himself:
Well, I learned something new about the Claudius Consecratio issues. I think I saw the OP coin on eBay or maybe vcoins if I'm correct. I remember thinking what a sharp reverse it had. I'm glad it went to someone who appreciated its merits.
i only have this one poor example i got in an uncleaned lot. i have an even rougher example with the eagle. can't find the pic, you're not missing much anyway.
I think that's a pretty nice OP coin, as well as the others. I don't have any of those posthumus Claudius II Gothicus coins.
I agree => that's a very cool reverse on your new example (oh, and the example also has nice rich colour which gives it sweet eye-appeal)
