With the mid-third century not offering much excitement in terms of imperial Roman coins, I'm representing these rulers in my collection with big provincials. My most recent addition is the big and very rare provincial of Salonina. Hope you like: Salonina (254-268). Pamphylia, Side. Æ (31mm, 20.54g, 6h). KOPNHΛIA CAΛΩNINA CE, Draped bust r.; I to r. R/ CIΔHTΩN NEΩKORΩN, Tyche seated l. on rock, holding poppy. Green patina, VF
Nice & lovely all around. I just have this. Salonina (254 - 268 A.D.) AR Antoninianus O: CORN SALONINA AVG, Draped bust right, wearing stephane, set on crescent. R: VESTA, Vesta standing left, holding patera and scepter. 3.4g 23mm RIC V 39A ; RSC 137
I have many decent coins of Gallienus. But unfortunately I only own one bronze Antoninianus of his wife Salonina. The coin is rather worn and shows Aequitas holding the famous scales. It was struck in Antioch- RIC 87.
Greg, Your Salonina provincial at 31mm / 20.54 grams is quite impressive, I just have the ant version acquired when I was about 12 years old and desparate for anything ancient. I like your idea of going to provincials for late 3rd century imperial coinage and may need to explore that direction. Hm...
My ten assaria (I in obverse field) using this same die shows what is identified as Apollo Sidetes on the reverse. Knowing nothing, I might have called it the emperor standing but must yield to better scholarship. I suspect this copies a statue in the city and seems to me among the more common of the several Salonina Side types. Among the rare ones is an aerial view of the harbor which is a lot like the design of the famous sestertius of Nero. Here again, I am left wit the someone standing there type but, in this case, glad to have it.
Yes, I quite like the exotic style of your reverse. Certainly more interesting than what we typically see on the imperials.
That's a very attractive provincial bust, and much nicer than you'd get on your typical Salonina antoninianus. Not the same can be said for all provincial portraits, but I like to think this coin has other charms. SALONINA AE22 4.96g, 22.2mm TROAS, Ilium (Troy), circa AD 253-268 AD Bellinger, Troy, T294; SNG Munich 279; SNG Cop 443 O: CAΛΩNINA CEB, diademed and draped bust right. R: IΛ-IE-ΩN, helmeted and cuirassed bust of Athena right, wearing aegis.
My prettiest Salonina Salonina Coin: Bronze SALONINA AVG - Diademed, draped bust right on crescent, hair weaved in rows with long plait carried up the back of head and tucked under diadem AVG IN PACE - Salonina seated left, olive branch in right hand pointing downward, scepter in left. Exergue: Mint: Mediolanum - Milan (260-268 AD) Wt./Size/Axis: 2.63g / 20mm / - References: RIC 58 Cohen 17 Sear 10626
@Greg Heinrich Although your provincial is very attractive, and of the finest style (I love the portrait), I have to disagree on the mid 3rd century "not offering much excitement in terms of imperial Roman coins". Sure they are less numerous than those of the 1st and 2nd centuries by far, but a lot of patience and a hint of luck can provide some gems. Here are some coins of Valerian and his family, including a (quite nice to my eyes) Salonina sestertius : Valerian, Sestertius Rome mint, AD 253-255 IMP C P LIC VALERIANVS AVG, laureate, draped and cuirassed bust right VIRTVS AVGG, Virtus or Mars standing left resting on shield and holding spear. S - C in field 18.7 gr Ref : RCV # 10025v, Cohen # 269 Diva Mariniana, Sestertius Rome mint, AD 253-254 DIVAE MARINIANAE, veiled and draped bust right CONSECRATIO, Peacok standing facing, head left, with tail in splendor, S-C in field 16.0 gr Ref : RCV # 10073 (misreading Hunter), Hunter # 8v, RIC # 9v, Cohen # 7v Gallienus, Sestertius Rome mint, AD 253-255 IMP C P LIC GALLIENVS AVG, Laureate and draped and cuirassed bust of Gallienus right CONCORDIA EXERCIT, Concordia standing left, holding double cornucopia and patera. 18.5 gr Ref : RIC # 209, Göbl # 15dd, Cohen #132, RCV #10467 Salonina, Sestertius Rome mint, AD 256-260 CORNELIA SALONINA AVG, Diademed and draped bust of Salonina right IVNO REGINA, Juno standing left, with patera and sceptre, SC in field 20.05 gr Ref : RIC # 46, RCV #10679, Cohen #62 Saloninus, Middle bronze Rome mint, AD 258-260 LIC COR SAL VALERIANVS N CAES, draped bust right PRINCIPI IVVENTVTIS, Saloninus standing left holding globe and spear. A captive at his feet. S - C in field Mintmark ? at exergue 7.1 gr Ref : RCV # 10778 v, Cohen # 90, RIC # 34 Valerian II, Antoninianus Rome mint, AD 258 DIVO CAES VALERIANO, radiate, draped and cuirassed bust of Valerianus junior right CONSECRATIO, altar 2.88 gr Ref : RCV # 10608, RIC # 24, RSC # 13 Q
I admit those are pretty awesome examples @Cucumbor . I've had a Diva Mariniana peacock sestertius on my shopping list for a while. In my one-per collection I'm aiming for the best eye candy for the ruler that I can afford - whether it's imperial or provincial. The Tetricii, Quintillus and Claudius II are tough - can't find many great style coins of those guys.
that's a lovely BIG provencial greg. this poor thing is the only coin i have of her. it's better than my pics suggest...but not much.
