Featured The LUGDUNUM mint challenge

I only purchased this coin earlier today, can't wait for it to arrive.
Antonianus of Maximian.

IMP MAXIMIANVS AVG
PAX AVGG
Minted at Lugdunum. The seller had it listed as RIC 398 which a quick look at Wildwinds seems to confirm (although this one has a different portrait). Curiously in the description they had also written that there was an "S in exergue" which I cannot see any trace of (the examples on Wildwinds also do not have it), going to assume it was an error.

 

Log in or Sign up to hide this ad.

Perhaps I can clarify here for you. The letter in exe is the mintmark. These have been analysed and placed into proposed Emissions/Issues by Pierre Bastien.

For this type the letters B and C were used in Emission 7, which he dates to Spring A.D. 290 A.D. 291, S was used in the previous emission, dated to Autumn A.D. 289 – Early A.D. 290.

What you also need to Understand is that a RIC number here covers a whole range of coins. RIC doesn't attempt to create a chronology and generally allocates a RIC number to a combination of Reverse Legend, Reverse Type and Obverse Legend. Against this RIC number it lists the known bust type e.g. Bust Type C (Radiate, draped and cuirassed bust right) as your coin or Bust Type F (Radiate, cuirassed bust right). It then also lists the known mintmarks e.g. //B, //C, //S. It fails however to list which exact combination of these was known.

RIC 398 has obverse legend "IMP MAXIMIANVS P AVG" and so I think that is wrong as a starter. RIC 399 has obverse legend "IMP MAXIMIANVS AVG" as per your coin.

Your coin would be attributed as RIC 399 Bust Type C.

Let me illustrate:-
This would be the RIC 398 version of your coin:-

Obv:– IMP MAXIMIANVS P AVG, Radiate, draped and cuirassed bust right
Rev:– PAX AVGG Pax standing left, with Victory on globe and scepter
Minted in Lugdunum (B in exe.). Emission 7, Officina 2. Spring A.D. 290 A.D. 291
References:– RIC V Part 2 398 Bust Type C. Bastien Volume VII 373 (6 examples cited)



Here is my example of RIC 399 that matches your coin:-

Obv:– IMP MAXIMIANVS AVG, Radiate, draped and cuirassed bust right
Rev:– PAX AVGG Pax standing left, with Victory on globe and scepter
Minted in Lugdunum (B in exe.). Emission 7, Officina 2. Spring A.D. 290 A.D. 291
References:– RIC V Part 2 399 Bust Type C. Bastien Volume VII 379



These coins are also attributed as RIC 399:-
RIC 399 Bust Type F (B in exe)
Minted in Lugdunum (B in exe.). Emission 7, Officina 2. Spring A.D. 290 A.D. 291
References:– RIC V Part 2 399 Bust Type F. Bastien Volume VII 380


RIC 399 Bust Type F (S in exe)

RIC 399 Bust Type H (B in exe)

Sometimes RIC does not have an abbreviation for the Bust Type and it has to be written out:-
RIC 399 Radiate bust left in imperial mantle (B in exe)

RIC 399 Radiate, helmeted, cuirassed bust right (B in exe)
Obv:– IMP MAXIMIANVS AVG, Radiate, helmeted, cuirassed bust right
Rev:– PAX A-VGG, Pax standing left, with Victory on globe and scepter
Minted in Lugdunum (//B). Emission 7, Officina 2. Spring A.D. 290 A.D. 291
References:– Cohen 443. Bastien 381 (7 examples cited). RIC 399

Changing the obverse legend changes the RIC number:-

Obv:– IMP C MAXIMIANVS P F AVG, Radiate cuirassed bust right
Rev:– PAX AVGG, Pax standing left, with Victory on globe and scepter
Minted in Lugdunum (S in exe.). Emission 6, Officina 2. Autumn A.D. 289 – Early A.D. 290
References:– RIC V Part 2 396 Bust Type F. Bastien Volume VII 277

Obv:– IMP C MAXIMIANVS P AVG, Radiate, draped bust left (seen from rear), holding shield and spear
Rev:– PAX AVGG, Pax standing left, with Victory on globe and scepter
Minted in Lugdunum (//S). Emission 6, Officina 2. Autumn A.D. 289 to start A.D. 290
Reference:– Cohen 455. Bastien 281 (2 all from same obverse die). RIC 402.


A different Reverse type though changes the number again:-

Obv:– IMP MAXIMIANVS AVG, Radiate, helmeted cuirassed bust right
Rev:– PAX AVGG, Minerva standing left, olive branch upward in right hand, spear in left and resting left hand on shield
Minted in Lugdunum (C in left field, Thunderbolt in exe). Emission 10, Officina 3. 1st March A.D. 293 – 20th November A.D. 293
Reference:– Cohen 427. RIC V Pt. 2 404. Bastien Volume VII 496 (9 examples cited)



And yet again:-

Obv:– IMP MAXIMIANVS AVG, Radiate, cuirassed bust right
Rev:– PAX AVGG, Pax standing left, olive branch upward in right hand, transverse scepter in left
Minted in Lugdunum (//B). Emission 12, Officina 2. A.D. 294
Reference:– Cohen -. RIC V Pt. 2 407 Bust Type F. Bastien Volume VII 597 (3 examples cited)


Let's not forget that the same coins were produced for Diocletian at the same in the same emission from the same officina at the same time......

Obv:– IMP DIOCLETIANVS AVG, Radiate, cuirassed bust right
Rev:– PAX AVGG, Pax standing left, with Victory on globe and scepter
Minted in Lugdunum (B in exe.). Emission 7, Officina 2. Spring A.D. 290 to A.D. 291
References:– Cohen 366. RIC V Pt 2 67 Bust Type F. Bastien 365 (11 examples cited)

 

Thanks for this very detailed response! Really explains a lot.

I realised that the "B" on the coin was a kind of mintmark but since the seller had described the coin as having an "S" I was a tad bit confused! The seller must have misattributed this coin (and I followed suit).

I will have to look into the work by Bastien that you have mentioned. Thanks for the information!

 

It is a series of works that cover the output of Lugdunum. This has then been extended into supplements that cover things that have emerged since their publication.

See here:-

https://www.forumancientcoins.com/numiswiki/view.asp?key=Bastien

If you wish to focus on Lugdunum then they are invaluable. I use them very regularly.

 

Unfortunately coin sellers and collectors have a tendency of forcing ID's on coins which are as close as they find using the resources available to them. 'Cut and paste' causes some sellers to copy information for a good source and use it to describe their coin that may be nothing like what they are selling. Accuracy is not as important as making their listings look professional to potential customers.

RIC volume V is very old and pretty much worthless to people who have access to more recent works but still better than beginner books that list a dozen coins (old one volume Sear) or ignore mintmarks altogether (Cohen). We need to remember that being in a book does nat make something true. Some of us suffer from several of the better books being written in a language we do not read or costing so much that we can not justify their purchase. I do not own Bastien. It is for specialists in this one mint, is written in French and sells over $100.
https://www.ma-shops.com/jacquier/item.php?id=1458&lang=en
Do be careful you select the right book by prolific authors. Bastien wrote a lot of works over his career.

RIC V was published in two parts bound separately. Those interested in coins in the first half of RIC volume V have a great resource online but it is not matched by one covering the second part. It takes some practice learning to use the search terms but it is worth it (and free).
http://www.ric.mom.fr/en/search/advanced

 

We have seen some nice bronzes so how about a Nero denarius?

Obv:– NERO CAESAR AVG IMP, Bare head right
Rev:– PONTIF MAX TR P VII COS IIII P P, Oak leaves, surrounding EX SC
Minted in Lugdunum. A.D. 60-61
References:– RIC II 28 (R3)


A Vitellius

Obv:– A VITELLIVS IMP GERMAN, Laureate head right
Rev:– VICTORIA AVGVSTI, Victory with shield advancing left, S P Q R on shield
Minted in Lugdunum. A.D. 69
References:– RIC I 62 (Scarce)



Vespasian

Dupondius
Obv:– IMP CAES VESPASIAN AVG COS III, Radiate head right, globe on neck
Rev:– VICTORIA NAVALIS S - C, Victory standing right on prow, holding wreath and palm
Minted in Lugdunum. A.D. 70-71
References:– Cohen -. RIC II 481 var (Not listed in RIC with this bust and legend combination)



Titus

As
Obv:– T CAES IMP AVG F TR P COS VI CENSOR, Laureate head right with globe at tip of neck.
Rev:– S-C, Spes advancing left holding flower & hem of skirt
Minted in Rome A.D. 77-78
Reference:– Cohen 217. RIC 786



Domitian
Copper As
Obv:– CAESAR AVG F DOMITIANVS COS V, Laureate head right with globe at point of bust
Rev:– S-C, Spes advancing left holding flower & hem of skirt
Minted in Lugdunum. A.D. 77-78
Reference:– RIC II (Vespasian) 791a. BMC 873. Cohen 454.

 

Doug has already shared one of the rare Clodius Albinus as Augustus coins produced at Lugdunum. I will add another of the same reverse type as I think the LVG in the reverse legend is worth it. This one has a different bust type though.

Obv:– IMP CAES D CLO SEP ALBIN AVG, Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust right
Rev:– GEN LVG COS II, Genius of Lugdunum, standing facing, towered head left, vertical scepter in right hand, cornucopiae in left, eagle at feet to left and looking upward right
Minted in Lugdunum. November A.D. 195 to 19th February A.D. 196
Reference:– RIC 23d (R2)




Albinus also produced his own Legionary types to echo those of Septimius Severus

Obv:– IMP CAE D CLO SEP ALB AVG, Laureate head right
Rev:– FIDES LEGION COS II, Legionary eagle between two standards
Minted in Lugdunum. November A.D. 195 to 19th February A.D. 196
Reference(s) – Cohen 21, RIC 19 (R). BMC 271. Giard 52.

 

@dougsmit also added the Diocletian with SML. It is worth noting that SML stands for SACRA MONETA LUGDUNENSIS so we get a direct reference to the mint in the mintmark.

Here are a Dioceltian and a Max. Herc. with SML.

Diocletian

This one gives the political message depicting the adopted gods of the two emperors getting on well together.....

Obv:– IMP C C VAL DIOCLETIANVS P F AVG, Radiate, draped and cuirassed bust right, seen half from the rear
Rev:– VIRTVS AVGG, Jupiter standing right holding thunderbolt & scepter facing Hercules standing left holding lion’s skin and club
Minted in Lugdunum (A/SML). Emission 4, Officina 1. Start to Summer A.D. 287
Reference:– Cohen 507. Bastien VII 108 (5 examples cited). RIC V Pt 2 93 Bust Type C



Maximianus Herculius with his oft referenced Hercules type.

Obv:– IMP C VAL MAXIMIANVS P F AVG, Radiate, draped and cuirassed bust right
Rev:– HERCVLI PACIFERO, Hercules standing left holding branch & club, lion skin over arm.
Minted in Lugdunum (B in left field, SML in exe). Emission 4. Officina 2. start to Summer A.D. 287
References:– Cohen 282. RIC V Part 2 371 Bust Type C. Bastien Volume VII 116 (25 examples cited)

 

Aurelian can be quite tricky to get hold of but with some patience nice examples do exist. This one would be nice if it didn't have the frustrating flan crack....

Aurelian
Obv:– IMP C AVRELIANVS AVG, Radiated cuirassed bust right
Rev:– PACATOR ORBIS, Sol walking left, right hand raised, left hand holding whip
Minted in Lugdunum, (//.A.L.). Emission 3, Officina 1. mid A.D. 275
Reference:– Bastien 7 (17 examples cited). RIC 6 Bust Type F

 

We have seen Tacitus already but here are some more just because.

An unusually youthful portrait.

Obv:– IMP C CL TACITVS AVG, Radiate, draped and cuirassed bust right
Rev:– PROVID DEOR, Providentia standing left, holding baton and cornucopia; at foot, globe
Minted in Lugdunum (no marks), Emission 1, from October to December A.D. 275
References:– Cohen 64. Bastien 41. RIC 49 Bust Type C



The Langcroft hoard was a great source of these a few years back.....



Left facing portraits are much more unusual

 

Skipping ahead. The Harptree hoard recently brought several siliqua to the market.

Julian II

AR Reduced Siliqua
Obv:– FL CL IVLIA-NVS P P AVG, Pearl diademed, draped and cuirassed bust right
Rev:– VOTIS V MVLTIS X, within wreath
Minted in Lugdunum (//SLVG), Spring A.D. 360 - 26th June A.D. 363
Reference:– RIC VIII Lugdunum 227

17.26 mm. 2.0 gms. 0 degrees

East Harptree Hoard, which was discovered near Bath in 1887. There were 36 coins of this type found in the hoard.

 

@maridvnvm I officially declare you king of the Lugdunum challenge !

 

@Ocatarinetabellatchitchix I haven't reached the main part of my Lugdunum collection yet!

 

@maridvnvm I just explored your gallery on FAC. It’s not a collection, it’s a museum !
http://www.forumancientcoins.com/gallery/index.php?cat=10618

 

Carus:-

Obv:– IMP C M AVR CARVS AVG, Radiate, helmeted, cuirassed bust right
Rev:– VICTORIA AVGG, Victory, standing left on globe, holding wreath, two captives beneath
Minted in Lugdunum (A in left field) Emission 4 Officina 1. 1st quarter A.D. 283
Reference:– Cohen 100. Bastien 474 (11 examples cited), RIC 24 var (Not listed with this bust type in RIC)



Obv:– IMP C M AVR CARINVS AVG, Radiate, bust right in imperial mantle
Rev:– SALVS AVGG, Salus standing right, feeding snake
Minted in Lugdunum (_|D / LVG), Emission 7, Officina 4. early A.D. 284
Reference:– RIC 216 var (not listed with this bust type in RIC). Cohen -. Bastien 574 (1 example cited)

This would appear to be only the second example of this bust type for Carinus known

Note the use of LVG in the exe.



Obv:- IMP C NVMERIANVS AVG, Radiate bust right wearing imperial mantle and holding eagle-tipped scepter in right hand
Rev:- MARS VICTOR, Mars advancing right with spear and trophy
Minted in Lugdunum (C in right field)
References:- RIC - (not listed with this bust type in RIC). Bastien 562 (3 examples cited)



The military and consular busts are very scarce for this dynasty

 

Maximianus Herculius
Follis
Obv:– IMP C MAXIMIANVS AVG, Laureate, cuirassed bust left, holding club over right shoulder and lion's skin in left hand
Rev:– GENIO POP-VLI ROMANI, Genius standing left, modius on head, naked but for chlamys over left shoulder, left hand holding cornucopiae and right hand holding patera, plain altar beneath.
Minted in Lugdunum (_ | A //PLC). Officina 1. Spring A.D. 300 – A.D. 302
Reference(s) – Bastien 148 (8). RIC VI Lugdunum 85 (Rated S)



Maximianus Herculius (as Senior Augustus)
Obv:– IMP C VAL MAXIMIANVS P F AVG, Laureate, cuirassed bust right
Rev:– GENIO POP ROM, Genius standing left, modius on head, loins draped, right hand holding patera, left hand holding cornucopiae
Minted in Lugdunum (CI in left field, H over S in right field, PLC in exe).
Reference:– RIC VI Lugdunum 288



Severus II
Follis
Obv:– SEVERVS NOB C, Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust right
Rev:– GENIO POP-VLI ROMANI, Genius standing left, modius on head, naked but for chlamys over left shoulder, left hand holding cornucopiae and right hand holding patera, plain altar beneath
Minted in Lugdunum (_ | * //PLG). 1st May A.D. 305 - 26th July A.D. 306
Reference(s) – Cohen 43. RIC VI Lugdunum199a (C). Bastien 377 (46 examples cited)

 

I’m surprised nobody tried to give an answer with the prize of 100$ I offered! Anyway, here it is :
Claudius is born in Lugdunum in 10 BC.
Caracalla is also born there on April 4th 188.
Finally Pontius Pilate is born in Lugdunum around 12 BC.

P.S. oups! It’s possibly I forgot to mention the reward in my OP...

 

Everyone fed up yet?

Decentius
Centenionalis
Obv:- DN DECENTIVS NOB CAES; Cuirassed bust facing right.
Rev:- SALVS DD NN AVG ET CAES; Large Chi-Rho flanked by A and W
Minted in Lugdunum (//?SLG)



Magnentius
Centenionalis
Obv:– D N MAGNEN-TIVS P F AVG, Bare-headed, draped & cuirassed bust right; A behind head
Rev:– VICTORIAE DD NN AVG ET CAE, Two Victories supporting wreath inscribed VOT/V/MVLT/X
Mint – Lugdunum (SV//RPLG). Beginning A.D. 351 to August A.D. 352
Reference(s) – Cohen 68. Bastien 174 (12). RIC VIII Lugdunum 126 (C)


Obv:- D N MAGNENTIVS P F AVG, bare-headed, draped & cuirassed bust right; A behind head
Rev:- GLORIA ROMANORVM, emperor galloping right, spearing fallen enemy
Minted in Lugdunum, RPLG in exe. A.D. 350-351
Reference:- RIC 115 of Lyons, Cohen 20

 

Constans

AE2
Obv:- D N CONSTA-NS P F AVG, Pearl-diademed, draped, cuirassed bust left, globe in right hand
Rev:- FEL TEMP REPAR-ATIO, Helmeted soldier, spear in left hand, advancing right, head left; with his right hand he leads a small bare-headed figure from a hut beneath a tree. The spear points up and to the right
Minted in Lugdunum, (// PLG), A.D. 348-350
Reference:– RIC VIII Lugdunum 84 (S)

4.04 gms. 0 degrees. 20.89 mm



AE3
Obv:- D N CONSTA-NS P F AVG, Rosette-diademed, draped, cuirassed bust right
Rev:- FEL . TEMP . REPARATIO, Radiate Phoenix standing right on mound of stones.
Minted in Lugdunum; (/PLG), A.D. 348-350
Reference:– RIC VIII Lyons 90 (R)



Obv:– D N CONSTA-NS P F AVG, Rosette diademed, draped & cuirassed bust right
Rev:– FEL TEMP REPARATIO, Emperor standing left on galley, holding Victory & labarum, piloted by Victory
Minted in Lugdunum (//PLG)
Reference:– RIC VIII Lugdunum 72

 

Constantius, 293-305-306
Lyons = Lugdunum
28 mm. 9.25 grams,
CONSTANTIVS NOB C, bust left, laureate and cuirassed
altar left, B in right field
PLG in exergue
RIC Lyons 166a "c. 301-302"