One of the interesting elements in buying a mixed lot every now and again is that I am forced into areas that I know nothing about. This is another such area. Apparently year 11 coins are relatively scarce due to their short production period. Philip 'sestertius' - Viminacium Obv:- IMP M IVL PHILIPPVS AVG, laureate, draped & curiassed bust right Rev:- P M S COL VIM, Moesia standing left between bull & lion, AN XI in exergue. Struck at Viminacium, Moesia Superior, Year 11 (July A.D. 249 - August A.D. 249) References:- Pick 106 - Martin 2.18.1 - Varbanov - (Verg. 160) 13.96g. 27.40 mm. 0 degrees
I don't think these were made evenly across the reign even during the full years. The majority I have seen have been AN VII. Often it seems bronzes were made to order as needed to resupply the market. I wonder if they were made for each year. This would be a question to research. I only have five and seven but have not considered buying more so I do not know what is available. Have you seen each year (V-X)?
I have a Year 9: Provincial Bronze (AE29) Moesia Superior, Viminacium, A.D. 247-248 Obv: IMP M IVL PHILIPPVS AVG Rev: P M S C-OL VIM - Moesia standing between bull and lion ANVIIII in exergue Varbonov 138 29mm, 14.3g. Any other years out there?
My Philip from Viminacium came from a bulk lot and it looks it! Year 5: Philip I, AD 244-249. Roman provincial Æ 28.1 mm, 17.65 g, 1 h. Moesia Superior, Viminacium, AD 244. Obv: IMP M IVL PHILIPPVS AVG, laureate, draped and cuirassed bust, right. Rev: P M S COL VIM, Moesia standing left between bull standing right and lion left; in exergue: AN V (= year 5 of the Colonial Era of Viminacium = AD 244). Ref: BMC 3.16,18; AMNG 100.
I have one of his predecessor and wife of his successor: The first one is the size and weight of an As, 11.1 grams. The second is the size and weight of a sestertius (17.3 grams)
Nice coins. Whenever I get one of these I head to this site: http://www.viminacium.nl/English index.html Nice big photos and clear descriptions with a lot of history to boot. There are a lot of miniscule varieties on this series and this site makes it a lot easier to figure things out. This gives me an excuse to post this little off-center Gordian III As - I'm very fond of the portrait. Am I mistaken or are the as/dupondius sizes scarcer than the "sestertius"? Gordian III Æ 19 As Year 1 (?) (238-239 A.D.) Viminacium, Moesia Superior IMP CAES M ANT [GORDIANVS AVG], laureate, draped & cuirassed bust right / PMS CO L VIM, Moesia stdg. facing, bull and lion either side. [AN dot I? - year off flan] in ex. AMNG 73 (uncertain attrib.). (3.07 grams / 19 mm)
For Gordian, that seems to be the case. I have a Gordian from Viminacium too, but with a radiate crown. It's twice as heavy as yours and a bit larger in diameter: Gordian III, AD 238-244. Roman provincial Æ 21.6 mm, 7.85 g, 1h. Moesia Superior, Viminacium, AD 242/3. Obv: IMP GORDIANVS PIVS FEL AVG, radiate, draped, and cuirassed bust right. Rev: P M S C-OL VIM, Moesia standing facing, head left, extending hands to bull and lion standing at her feet on either side, AN IIII (year 4 = AD 242/3) in exergue. Refs: H&J, Viminacium, 15; AMNG I 84; Varbanov 119; BMC --.
Perhaps the Gordian III I showed is a light sestertius? 11.1 is definitely significantly more weighty than 7 grams.
I received the Hristov and Jekov Viminacium book for Christmas from my wife. I see coins for years 5-9 for Philip I. I do see two for year 11 for Phillip II, numbers 43-44.
