Unique Medallion of Numerianus

Finally, after three months of research (more than I spent on all my other coins - put together) I think that I now have all the riddles of this interesting artifact solved:

1) According to David Sear, whose certificate of authenticity arrived today, not only the Medallion is genuine, but also the part that has been attached is still the original fragment that has been broken off, even though it has been extensively re-engraved (presumably in the 1800s).

2) The 13 Roman AE-Medallions of Numerianus of the types Gnecchi Nr-7-10 that are documented all come from the same single obverse die, but from a total of six reverse dies in three varieties.

3) The central Moneta´s Cornucopia on my Medallion is bent to the right (as on Gnecchi Nr.10), but she is in fact facing left (as on Gnecchi Nr.7/8) like her two colleagues and not, as would be expected, facing frontal (like on Gnecchi Nr.10).

4) This reverse variety is only known from a single reverse die (R5) and from this my specimen (Cohen Nr.32, Gnecchi Nr.9) is, according to the data base accumulated by Sylviane Estiot for the revision of RIC V, Vol.2, the only known example.

This coin gave me a chance to correspond with a dozen experts, museums and auction houses (all very nice and helpful people), encouraged me to hunt down virtually ALL literature ever published on Roman Medallions and Carus´ dynasty and coinage, and browse internet archives for days.

All in all it provided me with more than a hundred hours of researcher´s fun and priceless collector´s enjoyment.

I even by total coincidence for the first time met a forum member in person - two people gazing at the locked door of the Vienna coin cabinet MUST have something in common .

 

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What a fantastic experience! Congratulations on acquiring a coin which gives you such enjoyment .