The portraits on coins of Macrianus and Quietus, the wo usurper brothers, are usually of unrealistic/unexpressive and of poor quality, particularly because of the poor metallic quality of the Antoniani struck at the time. Here is my Quietus, Samosata mint, 260/1 AD. Sol invicto standing.It y would be interesting to see better portraits of the brothers.
That's a very nice example!!! I keep putting off grabbing an example because what's offered for the price is just too unappealing to me....although I almost pulled the trigger on a high grade Ant with eye appeal for over 6 bills---but my remaining budget said 'NO WAY DUDE" LOL
Nice portrait @PMONNEY ... Agreed, they are just not great portraits or quality of coins... Mine is a little more worn... RI Quietus usurper 260-261 CE Ant 3-74g Samasota mint Indulgentia patera scepter RIC V 5 And his brother: RI Macrianus 260-261 CE BI Ant Spes Publica star
Oops, I forgot to post my Ant of Mac: SH65279. Silver antoninianus, RSC IV 11, RIC V 11, SRCV III 10807, VF, Antioch (Antakya, Turkey) mint, weight 2.899g, maximum diameter 24.0mm, die axis 180o, obverse IMP C FVL MACRIANVS P F AVG, radiate and cuirassed bust right; reverse ROMAE AETERNAE (to eternal Rome), Roma, helmeted, seated left on shield, Victory in extended right, spear in left;
Not a scientific analysis, but on the basis of many coins seen over decades, I'd say you'll probably find that throughout the "dark days" of the 3rd century, Antioch was typically turning out a product vastly superior to the coins from any of the other Imperial mints. Both of better physical quality - size, centering, apparent fineness of alloy or quality of silvering - as well as superior artwork, less use of badly deteriorated dies, etc.
Nice portrait of Quietus, not an easy one to get, I have one of his brother Macrianus, Bithynia, Nicaea, showing the city walls as they were in 260-261 AD.
Wow! Two of the nicest examples I've seen. My more humble pair: Quietus Augustus, A.D. 260 Antioch mint Billon Antoninianus Obv: IMP C FVL QVIETVS P F AVG Rev: APOLINI CONSERVA - Apollo, standing left, holding laurel branch, left hand on lyre RIC (Vol.V, Part II) 3 22mm, 3.1g. Macrianus Augustus, A.D. 260-261 Antioch mint Billon Antoninianus Obv: IMP C FVL MACRIANVS P F AVG Rev: SPES PVBLICA - Spes, walking left, holding flower and raising robe [Star] in left field RIC (Vol.V, Part II) 13 22mm, 2.9g.
Wow, those are superb, @dlhill132! Especially hard to find with so little porosity. Still looking for a Quietus.
