Some new additions - including my very first Gordian III

Hello everyone,

It's been a while since I posted coins here. But a recent Gorny and Mosch e-sale offers the opportunity to share some latest additions. The coins I won aren't coins that fall within my usual collection focus, but the rise in prices and increasing living costs forced me to let go of some of my targets. Nevertheless, I'm more then pleased with these additions and three of them offer the opportunity to start learning about new parts of ancient history. And even more notable: I finally added my first Gordian III to my collection! So, here they are:

First, a Prutah issued during the rule of governor Pontius Pilate in Judea. I've wanted to add this little coin to my collection for a long time, but it just didn't fit and there were always different targets I went for. I've still much to read and learn about these issues, which is a lot a fun!



Next, an issue that does fit my collecting preferences, and to my surprise I could snatch this up for opening bid. A scarcer denarius issue of Caracalla, with Pluto and Cerberus on the reverse. The reverse is somewhat weak, which may have deterred other bidders. The portrait is splendid.



Next, my first Gordian III. I has taken me about 8 years to finally obtain my first coin of Gordian III, whereas I think Gordian III is for many collectors one of the first emperors to be displayed in their collection. Very happy to add this issue to the collection. Historically interesting too, as this denarius is one of six (RIC 115, 127, 129-131) types struck to mark the marriage of Gordian III to Sabinia Tranquillina in the summer of 240. Also, this denarius was the last issue of the denarius produced for mass circulation in the Roman Empire. It's a heavy issue, and of overall good quality.



I was able to catch the last one for just over opening price. The really big boys amongst these double sestertii fetch high prices. It goes without saying that this issue however, also considering the horrible reverse, did not attract many bidders. Except for me, and some other person The portrait is just fantastic and I did not have Postumus in my collection. I need to do some reading about the break away Gallic empire, and when I have finally found the time I will surely enjoy it. ID'ing this issue needs more attention. This bust appears to be missing the cuirass, and the reverse seems to be missing the letters 'S C', but OCRE places all the variants under the same RIC 179.



Thanks for looking, and please share whatever you like

 

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Nice selections! I wasn't previously aware that some prutot struck under Pilate were also in the name of Julia. Interesting!

 

Me neither! I'm not very familiar with these coins, but there's another issue, with a lituus instead of the simpulum, that only mentions Tiberius. See e.g. this one. It's a mystery to me why my coin mentions Livia, and the other issue does not.

 

The lituus type seems to be considerably more common. That's the type I have. I need to dig it out and take new photos sometime.

 

The Gallic Empire was an "empire within an empire" that lasted from 260 to 274. There were four emperors during that time, one of whom lasted for only about three months.

When I got into my notebook I found that it goes on for a while. I'll post the first chapter for Postumus, who ruled from 260 to 269.



Antoninianus of Postumus, Obverse: IMP C POSTUMVS P F AVG “Emperor Caesar Postumus Pius Felix (dutiful, patriotic) augustus.” Reverse: FIDES MILITVM “Fides military” Fides was the personification of good faith and confidence. Here she is holding military standards. Sear 10940

· Marcus Cassianius Latinius Postumus was the governor of Gaul under Valerian. He became the leader of his portion of the empire when his troops proclaimed him emperor during a barbarian incursion.

· Postumus’ competition was the teenaged son of Gallienus, Saloninus, who was stationed a Cologne. Postumus put the settlement under siege. He took over the city and executed the young Caesar and the praetorian prefect, Silvanus.

· Gallienus was occupied with the capture of his father by the Persians and other problems in the Balkans. He was unable to respond to the usurper Postumus conquests.

· Postumus expanded his rule to include Gaul, Britain and Spain. The resulting “Gallic Empire” was destined to last for 14 years. The Roman central government was too weak to respond this beak-away area because of military catastrophes and failed economic policies that had gone on for decades.

· Postumus controlled the barbarian threat from the West, and ultimately Gallienus had to accept the status quo. Gallienus did attempt to overthrow Postumus in 263 and 265, but both of those attempts failed.

· In some ways, Postumus’ Gallic Empire was more successful than the Rome Empire. He was able to improve the quality of the coinage. The weight of his gold coins, the aureus, was at least 5.5 grams higher than their Roman counterparts. The principle silver coin, the antoninianus, continued to be a heavily debased coin, but its silver content was double that of its Roman counterparts. Coinage of the copper pieces was also robust.

• In 268, Aureolus, one of Gallienus’ most trusted generals, led a rebellion based in Milan. Aureolus invited Postumus to join him in an attack on Italy. He went so far as to even strike coins with Postumus’ name and portrait on them. Postumus declined the offer. Gallienus was killed by his officers during his siege of Milan against Aureolus. Aureolus also died during this siege.

· Both Aureolus and Gallienus would die as a result of the Milan based uprising.

· In 269 Ulpius Cornelius Laelianus seized power in Mainz (Moguntiacum). His soldiers declared him as emperor. Laelian maintained his foothold for several months until Postumus laid siege to the town. Postumus quickly put down the rebellion.

· Postumus refused to allow his soldiers to pillage the captured city, Mainz. They mutinied and killed him.

· The death of Postumus would bring instability to the Gallic Empire.

 

Thank you for your notes. Ill read them with great interest!

 

Thanks! Its really a nice coin, and even more so in hand (my photos are not the best). It still surprises me that no one else placed a bid!

 

A simpulum, OK... I first believed it was a toilet seat. Pontius Pilatus paid much attention to hygiene.

OK, sorry... ...