Florian AE Antoninianus, 276 AD. He only reigned for 88 days!!

Florian AE Antoninianus, 276 AD, 2.6g, 22.0mm

OBV: IMP C FLORIANVS AVG, Radiate, draped & cuirassed bust right.

REV: FIDES MILIT, Fides standing left, holding sceptre and ensign. XXI epsilon in exergue.

REF: RIC 30, Cohen 25.

I've had this coin for a couple months, finally getting around to posting it. Now I am up to 103 Roman rulers.

Florian was appointed Praetorian Prefect by Tacitus as well as being his half brother. When Tacitus died from a fever in 276, Florian succeeded him as emperor without the consent of the senate. It was said that Tacitus was poisoned as he was acting strangely before dying.

Florian's army consisted of soldiers from territories under his control, such as Italia, Gaul, Hispania, Britain, Africa, and Mauretania. Despite Florians larger sized army, Probus' experience is what helped win a battle thus crushing the morale of Florian's army. He was assassinated by his own troops at Tarsus. He only reigned for 88 days. Thus why his coins are somewhat rare and difficult to find at lower prices.

 

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Nice pickup Gil. In fact, I have coming which should be waiting when I get home.

 

Very cool coin, my friend ... congrats on a sweet addition!!

It is awesome to see you adding coins to your collection (sadly, I don't have too much coin-cash at the moment)

Oh, but I do have a sweet example to toss into your thread ...

FLORIANUS – ANTONINIANUS
276 AD
Diameter: 24 mm
Weight: 4.2 grams
Obverse: IMP CM ANN FLORIANVS AVG; draped, cuirassed and radiate bust right
Reverse: PRO-VIDEN D-EOR /KA G; Providentia holding two standards and Sol holding globe, standing vis-a-vis, star between them



=> again Daryl, that's a great collection-addition (I hope that your summer has been sweet)

 

Cool, he's usually expensive and yet to find one in my price point & condition.

 

Here are some of my Florian examples:-

Florian Antoninianus
Obv:– IMP C M AN FLORIANVS AVG, Radiate, draped and cuirassed bust right
Rev:– VIRTVS AVGVSTI, Emperor advancing right, holding a shield and spear, treading down captive.
Minted in Lugdunum (IIII in exe) Emission 3 Officina 4, from September to October A.D. 276
Reference:– Cohen 107. Bastien 150. RIC 16 Bust type C



Obv:– IMP C M AN FLORIANVS P F AVG, Radiate, draped and cuirassed bust right
Rev:– PACATOR ORBIS, Sol running left, holding up right hand, whip in left
Minted in Lugdunum (//III) Emission 3 Officina 3. August A.D. 276
Reference:– RIC 7 Bust type F. Cohen 46. Bastien 137



Obv:– IMP C M AN FLORIANVS P F AVG, Radiate, draped and cuirassed bust right
Rev:– TEMPORVM FELICITAS, Felicitas standing right, holding caduceus and cornucopiae
Minted in Lugdunum (No marks) Emission 1. Start August A.D. 276
Reference:– RIC 11 var Bust type C (Not listed without marke in RIC). Cohen 88 (note Cohen lists as Radiate, draped in error). Bastien 124 (12 examples cited)

 

Beautiful additions, Martin. Top one looks like pure silver.

 

cool coin of a cool guy i don't have GG....he's on the list.

 

This one must be the best bust I've seen for Florian:


FLORIAN AE22mm 4g Antoninian/Aurelian (VF)

AV: IMP C M AN FLORIANVS P AVG; Bust right, radiate, cuirassed

REV: PROVIDEN DEOR; Fides stg. r., holding standard in each hand, facing Sol stg. l., r. hand raised and holding globe in l. hand

EXE: delta

REF: LV 2933, not listed in RIC, RIC Online #4520 scarce, Serdica mint, August 276AD.

Ex. LANZ Numismatik.

 

Where did you go? Not sure I heard the latest news since I have been active on Facebook recently. Not sure how it happened but I ended up running one of those ancient coin groups and it's fairly successful too.

Can't wait to see that Florian when it comes in for sure.

 

Nice examples of this uncommon ruler :


Florianus, Antoninianus Lyon mint, 3rd emission, 1st officina
IMP C M AN FLORIANVS AVG, radiate, draped and cuirassed bust right seen from front (A)
TEMPORVM FELICITAS, Felicitas standing raight, holding caduceus in right hand and cornucopia in left hand. I at exergue (1st officina)
4.1 gr
Ref : RCV # 11874v., Bastien # 146 pl. XVI, RIC # 12, C # 89, La Venèra hoard # II.2/2632

Q

 

I like higher grade coins just like you guys do but unfortunately, I must try to find decent examples of coins for lower prices. It can be a challenge finding decent low grade budget coins, more or less.

The FIDES MILIT is not a common reverse type for Florian either. I saw one for $139 for a better grade, but not too much better. Only 30 total Florian coins at VCoins, the more common reverse type seems to be the two figure standing, such as Concordia.

I paid $50, shipping included. I consider it a good buy because of the uncommon reverse type and it's 100% attributable, but of course not high grade.

 

I'm with ya on that! I would be interested in your Facebook group.

 

We could talk about that Facebook group in private message here if you like. Of course you'll need to give me your real name if you're interested in joining.

 

He's in Poland, where all dancing is pole dancing.

 

mmmm, pole-dancing