I likely just paid too much. The Third Century is not my usual arena, but I do find short reigns interesting, and since Florian reportedly ruled for only 88 days in 276, there is that. Besides, I think it looks like a nice example. Post your coins of Florian, and tell me everything you think I should know about the one I just bought. Assume I’m a complete novice. (I’m not- quite- but close enough.) Thanks.
FLORIANUS Silvered Antoninianus OBVERSE: IMP FLORIANVS AVG, radiate, cuirassed and draped with paludamentum bust r REVERSE: CONCORDIA MILITVM; Victory stg. r., holding wreath in r. hand and palm against l. shoulder, facing Emperor in military dress stg. l., r. hand outstretched and holding long sceptre in l. hand Q in ex. Struck at 4th officina, Cyzicus mint, July-August 276AD. 4.4g, 20mm RIC V-1 116, RIC Online #4533
I looked up the Florian I had in my old 2007-08 novice collection. This one was the only other Florian I've had prior to today. (Just checked my old VCoins history. I paid $90 for this one from Nemesis Ancients in July of 2008.)
According to some replies I've gotten over on Numisforums, maybe I did OK with the coin in the OP. I really stuck my neck out with that impulse bid. I ended up paying €472.24 (=$546.93 US), after all the fees, so I was experiencing some sticker shock. But it's definitely a nice example, so...
The winds have shifted a bit in the NumisForums discussion, and the ugly word “tooling” has entered the conversation. Uh-oh. We shall see.
Tooled or not, that’s a great looking coin! In my ancient coin window shopping, I see a lot that have the designation. I don’t know that it would stop me from getting one I found appealing.
I would go further and say it's re-engraved. I'm not entirely sure, but it could be repurposed from something like this Probus.
That possibility was mentioned on the NumisForums thread. But I think a die match was found proving it is indeed a Florian? Albeit one with cosmetic tooling, which was undisclosed in the auction (and that gives me an out). Thankfully I got this information in time to cancel the sale. I politely requested that the Austrian auctioneer of the Florian coin above cancel the sale and refund me, due to the undisclosed tooling which I did not notice initially (but which was revealed to me just in the nick of time by the folks on NumisForums). I got a courteous reply fast (within 25 minutes!), and it seems they're going to do the right thing and let me off the hook. I might have just dodged a bullet on that one. It is obviously a nice coin but tooling changed my deliberations considerably. I do not believe the auctioneer was deliberately concealing anything.
Yeah, I'm sorry it turned out that way but at least you were able to cancel the order before it was shipped. Good for the AH for taking care of the situation.
FLORIAN AE23mm 3.54g Antoninian/Aurelian (VF, patina, deposits) AV: IMP C M AN FLORIANVS P AVG; radiate, cuirassed and draped with paludamentum, seen from rear bust r. REV: CONCORD MILIT; Emperor togate stg. r., clasping the hand of Concordia stg. l. EXE: S REF: LV 2738; RIC V-1 57var (unlisted bust type), RIC Online #4294 7 specs listed, only one in La Venera, and only 2 from prior sales; 1st issue for Siscia mint, 2nd officina, july-august 276AD. A rare coin from a very brief reign, as Florian has only reigned for a couple of months in the summer of 276AD. Ex: @seth77
