New Volusian Sestertius

Discussion in 'Ancient Coins' started by Roman Collector, Jul 19, 2019.

  1. Roman Collector

    Roman Collector Well-Known Member

    From Frank's latest auction. This sestertius features Felicitas, the personification of happiness, good luck, and prosperity. There are many words for "happiness" in Latin depicted on coins. Felicitas connotes contentment, whereas hilaritas connotes rejoicing and laetitia connotes delight and gladness. Felicitas was a prominent symbol of the wealth and prosperity of the Roman Empire and as such, is frequently portrayed on Roman coins.

    She is most commonly depicted as a Roman matron, dressed in a stola and palla, either standing or seated, holding a caduceus and cornucopia or scepter. Sometimes she leans on a column, such as on this example.

    Let's see your Volusian coins (especially sestertii), coins with Felicitas, coins from Frank's latest auction, or anything you deem relevant!

    Volusian FELICITAS PVBLICA sestertius.jpg
    Volusian as Augustus, AD 251-253.
    Roman orichalcum sestertius, 17.26 g, 27. 4 mm 10 h.
    Rome, AD 252.
    Obv: IMP CAE C VIB VOLVSIANO AVG, laureate, draped and cuirassed bust, right.
    Rev: FELICITAS PVBLICA S C, Felicitas standing left, leaning on column, holding caduceus in right hand and transverse scepter in left hand.
    Refs: RIC 251a; Cohen 35; RCV 9786; Hunter 39.

    Notes: Ex- Pegasi Buy or Bid Sale 151 (2/21/2017); ex- Hoffman collection.

    For fun, here's Banduri's description of the reverse from his catalog published in 1718:

    Volusian FELICITAS PVBLICA sestertius Banduri listing.JPG
     
    Last edited: Jul 22, 2019
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  3. Nicholas Molinari

    Nicholas Molinari Well-Known Member

    Nice one.

    Here’s mine:

    8BB3D61B-AC78-4690-9D5E-83F5EB5C4855.jpeg
    VOLUSIAN. 251-253 AD. Æ Sestertius (18.09g). IMP CAE C VIB VOLVSIANO AVG, laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust right, seen from behind / CONCORDIA AVGG, S C across fields, Concordia standing left, holding patera and double cornucopiae. RIC IV 249a; Hunter 34; Cohen 21; Sear 9784
     
  4. TIF

    TIF Always learning.

    Nice coin, RC, and thanks for the concise summary of the different personifications of happiness!
     
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  5. Orielensis

    Orielensis Well-Known Member

    Fantastic sestertius!

    My only Volusian is an antoninian with a happy grin on the emperor's face:
    Rom – Volusian, Antoninia, Virtus.png
    Volusian, Roman Empire, antoninian, 251–253 AD, Mediolanum mint. Obv: IMP C C VIB VOLVSIANVS AVG, bust of Volusian, draped, cuirassed, radiate, r. Rev: VIRTVS AVGG, Virtus, helmeted and in military attire, standing r., holding spear in r. hand and leaning on shield with l. 22mm, 2.47g. Ref: RIC IV,3 Volusian 206.
     
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  6. Ryro

    Ryro Trying to remove supporter status

    Nice portrait and fun reverse!
    My only Volusian is also a ant:
    123A53B2-450D-49A5-909C-37475512FB30.png
    Volusian
    AR Antoninianus. Rome, AD 251-253. IMP CAE C VIB VOLVSIANO AVG, radiate, draped and cuirassed bust right / CONCORDIA AVGG, Concordia seated left, holding patera and double cornucopiae. RIC 168; RSC 25.
     
  7. Justin Lee

    Justin Lee I learn by doing

    Very nice, RC! Even Volusian looks felicitas in that portrait.

    [​IMG]
    Volusian, Ruled 251-253 AD
    AE Sestertius, Struck early 253 AD, Rome

    Obverse: IMP CAE C VIB VOLVSIANO AVG, bust of Volusian, laureate, draped, cuirassed, right.
    Reverse: FELICITAS PVBLICA, Felicitas, draped, standing left, leaning on column, holding caduceus in right hand and transverse sceptre in left hand, S-C across field.
    References: RIC IV 251a
    Size: 29mm, 14.03g

    [​IMG]
    Volusian, Ruled 251-253 AD
    AE As, Struck 251-253 AD, Rome Mint

    Obverse: IMP CAE C VIB VOLVSIANO AVG, Bust of Volusian, laureate, draped, cuirassed, right.
    Reverse: PAX AVGG, Pax, draped, standing left, holding branch in right hand and transverse sceptre in left hand, SC across field.
    References: RIC IV 256b
    Size: 22mm, 7.5g
     
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  8. ancient coin hunter

    ancient coin hunter 3rd Century Usurper

    Here's my Volusian Felicitas Publica sesterce:

    Volusian (251-253 A.D.)

    AE Sestertius, 29 mm 16 grams, Rome mint

    Obverse: IMP CAE C VIB VOLVSIANO AVG, laureate, draped and cuirassed bust right

    Reverse: FELICITAS PVBLICA S-C, Felicitas standing left, leaning on column, holding caduceus and sceptre.

    Reference:

    RIC 251a, Cohen 35, Sear 9786.

    volusian.jpg
     
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  9. Bing

    Bing Illegitimi non carborundum Supporter

  10. Mat

    Mat Ancient Coincoholic

    Nice coin. RC. I like the portrait on it.
     
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  11. ominus1

    ominus1 Well-Known Member

    ..that's a nice one RC, lots of detail still..my last coin also, but with Pax..:) Volusian sestertus 006.JPG Volusian sestertus 005.JPG
     
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