Valerian II - JOVI CRESCENTI (new)

This coin depicts the young Jupiter riding on the goat Amalthea, hearkening back to Greek Mythology and the raising of the young King of the Gods in a cave on a mountain in Crete, where Zeus was nursed by the goat. It is possible that the allusion intended here was to the "rising" Valerian Junior, the son of Gallienus.

I purchased the coin because of the unusually good reverse detail and good silver (seller's photo) and once received (knock on wood) I will post my own picture. If you have seen this type before the reverses are often poorly struck or were the product of worn dies.

From this we can conclude that it was a common type at the time.

Please feel free to share your Valerian II JOVI CRESCENTI types or CONSECRATIO coins, or any old Valerian II you may have.

Valerian II, AR antoninianus, 23 mm 4.2 grams

Struck: 257-258, Cologne.

Obverse: VALERIANVS CAES, radiate, draped bust right

Reverse: IOVI CRESCENTI, the child Jupiter sitting right on the goat Amalthea, looking left, right hand raised, left hand holding the goat's horn.

Reference: RIC 3 (Lyons); Cohen 26 (Saloninus); Elmer 67a; Goebl 0907e; Sear 10731.

 

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Ah, another cabrito coin!...I love cabrito!

 

I've never tried it. I admit I had to google "cabrito" to see what it was.

 

Cooked correctly (I prefer it roasted on an open grill/fire) it is superb! It's popular in Mexican restaurants & we have a Mexican butcher shop about 6 mi. away that always has it available. It's also good cooked like a pot roast (like in a Dutch oven) w/vegetables.

 

I will give this a try. They may have it at Picante, a Mexican restaurant I go to here in Berkeley on occasion. Sounds really good!

 

Nice one, ACH! You're right; a nice reverse is hard to come by on this issue. Here's mine, struck with the typically heavily worn-out reverse die:

 

Sometimes it's not on the menu, you have to ask for it (maybe call ahead).

 

Or even strange planchets....


Valerian II, antoninianus - Cologne mint, AD 257-258
VALERIANVS CAES, radiate and draped bust of Valerian junior right
IOVI CRESCENTI, Young Jupiter on back of goat Amalthea right
3.66 gr
Ref : RCV # 10731, Cohen #26


Others Valerian II


Valerian II, Antoninianus - Cologne mint, AD 258
DIVO VALERIANO CAES, radiate and draped bust right
CONSACRATIO (sic), Valerian II raising hand and holding sceptre on an eagle flying right
1.70 gr
Ref : Cohen # 5, RCV # 10606



Valerian II, Antoninianus - Rome mint, AD 258
DIVO CAES VALERIANO, radiate, draped and cuirassed bust of Valerianus junior right
CONSECRATIO, altar
2.88 gr
Ref : RCV # 10608, RIC # 24, RSC # 13

Q

 

Nice examples @Cucumbor - I'm thinking I have to get one of those CONSECRATIO coins as well.

 

I believe this coin is probably one of the last struck in decent silver, along with the Consecratio types. Soon after we have those mass-produced silver washed antoniniani. I'm wondering when the decision was made to go for total debasement.

 

Mine isn't as nice as @Cucumbor 's beautiful coin but shows that they were getting pretty debased by this time. You can see a bit of the porosity caused by the lost bronze/copper and a bit of bronze coloring on the letter-tops.

...it's still a fun coin though but I need to get one with that great kid-like bust as shown on coins above. The bust on this coin reminds me of Augustus Gloop from Willy Wonka and the Chocolate factory.

 

Obv:– DIVO VALERIANO CAES, Radiate & draped bust right
Rev:– CONSACRATIO, Eagle flying right, bearing the deceased young Caesar to heaven.
Minted in Rome (Posthumous issue). A.D. 257-258
Reference(s) – RIC 9. RSC 5.

4.13 gms, 22.36mm. 180 degrees

 

Nice coins @maridvnvm and @Orange Julius - at least Valerian II got a nice sendoff to the afterlife.

 

There was a bit of mix-up with the dealer in shipping out the coin but it finally was sent on the 18th. Should get it in the next few days. Then I will photograph the coin.

 

I can't believe the timing. My example of the type you are showing, @ancient coin hunter, just arrived today from Leu. I like the goat detail on the coin you showed, ACH. It's a bit different than the one I have.

Here's my example of the OP coin:


and here's another life issue with the sacrificial implements reverse:
P LIC VALERIANVS CAES // PIETAS AVGG (father and son)


For Consecratio:
Here is the DIVO apotheosis in which Val II rides skyward on an eagle (male counter to the peacock?):
DIVO VALERIANO CAES // CONSACRATIO



Those above are in fairly good silver. These next are lower grades of billon, but have revised the spelling of the reverse inscription. The obverse portraits are more mature.

This CONSECRATIO shows the eagle alone:
DIVO CAES VALERIANO


and one more in rather base billon showing an altar/pyre with flame:
DIVO CAES VALERIANO

Note that on the earlier pieces he has a boyish appearance, but on this last he is styled as a young man.

 

Nice coins @lrbguy - the coincidence with the timing is pretty interesting.

 

Update. Still waiting for the coin to arrive. The seller has pointed out that it is in customs. Hope I get it one of these days - ordered on July 8th. (Waits impatiently!)

 

The wait is tough! Just this past week I recieved two shipments, one from a purchase made on 6/31 from Canada, the other from a purchase made 6/16 from Isreal... I feel for you! (and posts will be forthcoming lol)

 

The coin arrived and I snapped a couple of photos a few minutes ago. Here you go:





Nice bright metal!!!

 

I am now looking to purchase a Valerian II sestertius, plus a Gallienus example from early in his reign. It is during the sole reign of Gallienus that the sestertius virtually disappeared from circulation. Not sure how older sestertii still in circulation were tariffed against the now base-metal antoniniani, but it is an interesting academic question.