Here is a coin I recently purchased. It is ex-Forvm Ancient Coins (They are running a 10% off sale btw) and I enjoyed the little blurb from the Forvm catalogue describing the reverse as "ironic." Which single coin in your collection has the most ironic reverse? Pupienus silver antoninianus, Rome mint, weight 2.927g, maximum diameter 22.0mm, die axis 180o. O: IMP CAES PVPIEN MAXIMVS AVG, radiate, draped and cuirassed bust right. R: AMOR MVTVVS AVGG (Mutual Love of the Emperors), clasped hands. - SRCV III 8518; RIC IV, part 2, 9b; RSC III 2; BMCRE VI 82, ex-ForvmAncientCoins. A.D. 238 was the year of six emperors. Maximinus Thrax was killed (along with his son Maximus Caesar) when his soldiers mutinied. Gordian II was killed in battle. Gordian I hanged himself. Pupienus and Balbinus were killed by the Praetorians. Gordian III lived to become sole emperor. The ironic reverse of this coin refers to the mutual affection and friendship of the co-emperors Balbinus and Pupienus. After learning that the praetorians planned to storm the palace, Pupienus pleaded with Balbinus to summon the German bodyguard. Balbinus, for his part, fearful that the whole affair was being staged by Pupienus to assassinate him, refused, and a fierce argument broke out between the two just as the guard, in a murderous rage, burst into the room, seized both emperors and dragged them back to their camp where, amid a hail of sword-blows and insults, they were hacked to death. They were both murdered after a reign of only 99 days.
Very nice, congrats. I'm sure I have others, but this is the one that comes to mind for "ironic". Numerian (283 - 284 A.D.) Æ Antoninianus O: IMP NVMERIANVS AVG, radiate, draped bust right. R: VNDIQVE VICTORES, Numerian standing left, holding globe and sceptre, captive on each side. Rome mint 22mm 4.07g RIC 423, Cohen 120 An important reverse type fallaciously claiming 'victories on Every Side'.
Perhaps the leader in the category would be Valerian's types referring to how well he was doing in the East. This is RESTITVT(OR) ORIENTIS. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valerian_(emperor)#Death_in_captivity
I love the richly ironic legends on these... Mutual Love indeed! Great acquisiton, Nemo. My Balbinus pretends towards Mutual Loyalty.
I'd have to say these from poor, hapless Plautilla, the wife of Caracalla, whose issues proclaim eternal concord with her husband, express hope for children to propagate the imperial lineage, and express hope for happy concord between the couple, who are shown clasping hands on all these issues. Unfortunately, her husband Caracalla banished her to the Lipari Islands only three years later in AD 205 and ultimately had her put to death in 212, making these hopeful reverse types as much a sham as this fouree counterfeit of her "eternal concord" issue:
Didus Julianus facing three Usurpers and having only weeks to live but celebrating himself as "RECTOR ORBIS" ("Ruler of the World") on this Sestertius:
Nice coins and satire. Perhaps Doug is right, hard to top Valerian the human footstool! @zumbly, that Balbinus is great! Very high on my wish list now.
