Aurelian - IOVI CONSER

The IOVI CONSER type is plentyful and not really sought after. So why on earth have I added one to my collection when I don't actively collect coins of Aurelian?

I was taken by the style of engraving on the obverse. The portrait of the emperor grabbed my attention and then it was simply a further set of justifications to buy this coin.

It was cheap as you might expect one of these common reverse types to be.

It has some obvious damage at 11 o'clock and 5 o'clock. Could this coin have been holed at these points and the damage we see here is where the edge of the coin gave way and the coin detached from the cord / strap to which is was mounted?

It is attributed to an Uncertain Balkan Mint and I hadn't owned a coin attributed to this mint before. This is the same mint that used the dolphin mint mark and I doubt I will ever own one of those so this is about as close as I will get.

The coin type is broken into two phases of production at the mint with Phase 1 coins being of a smaller bust type to the Phase 2 coins. The phase 2 coins have a bigger chest area and a much thicker neck.

The Draped variety of the type at this mint turns out to be much scarcer than the Cuirassed only variety. The ratios of examples cited on MER RIC are as follows - Phase 1 - Cuirassed - 191 examples, Phase 1 - Draped and cuirassed - 1 example. Phase 2 - Cuirassed - 208 examples, Phase 2 - Draped and cuirassed - 14 examples.

My example is in nicer condition that the majority of the examples cited in MER RIC despite the damage to mine.

Aurelian - Antoninianus

Obv:– IMP AVRELIANVS AVG, Radiate, draped and cuirassed bust right
Rev:- IOVI CONSER, Emperor standing right with scepter accepting globe from Jupiter.
Minted in Uncertain Balkan Mint. (//B). Phase 2. Autumn 272 – Autumn 273
Reference:– RIC 394 Bust Type C. RIC temp #2516 (citing 14 examples)

4.29 g. 23.49 mm. 180 degrees



Martin

 

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Despite their commonness, I don't have one of them; so here's two with two people on the back. Close enough?

 

I know nothing of this mint or type. Some time ago I sold one during one of my weeding phases. I have no idea who bought it.


That left me with one impaired by doublestriking. I kept it because of the way the second face fit in the head. I have no idea about the mints responsible for either.

 

..nice choice! ..i've the long neck version with quite a bit of silvering on the back

 

Interesting coin - I was not aware of this mint. The portrait is rounder than Aurelian is usually rendered - he almost looks like a later Tetrarch, like Licinius.

Here is that reverse type from the Rome mint with a more angular, grouchy portrait of Aurelian. A shallow reverse gouge mars Jupiter, unfortunately:



Aurelian Æ Antoninianus
(271-272 A.D.)
Rome Mint
IMP AVRELIANVS AVG, radiate, cuirassed bust right / IOVI CONSER, Aurelian
standing right, holding short sceptre, receiving globe from Jupiter standing left; P in ex.
RIC 48 P corr.; Cohen 105.
(3.28 grams / 23 mm)

 

I think it is interesting that on the reverse of the OP the emperor is depicted as noticeably larger than Jupiter. I don't think I've seen this before.

I wonder if this would have annoyed Jupiter. Do you think Jupiter had a hand in his murder?

 

The flans themselves were cast of molten bronze. Jere M. Wickens, in his essay, "The Production of Ancient Coins," written for Bearers of Meaning: The Otillia Buerger Collection of Ancient and Byzantine Coins at Lawrence University, notes that flans "were cast en chapelet, that is, using open or closed moulds in which a number of mould hollows were connected by channels." This resulted in a 'runner' or sprue between the cast flans, which would be removed before striking. Sometimes, the process of breaking off the sprue removed a chunk from the flan's edge, leaving what is known as a 'flan chip.'

Your coin has two flan chips, one at 11:00 and the other at 5:00. Here's one of my coins with two flan chips:


Gordian III, with Tranquillina. A.D. 238-244.
Roman provincial AE 4.5 assaria; 28.92 mm, 15.89 g, 7:00
Moesia Inferior, Tomis, A.D. 241-244; Magistrate Pontianus
Obv: AVT K M ANTΩNIOC ΓΟΡΔΙΑΝΟC // [C]ABINIA (TP)AN / KVΛΛINA, confronted laureate, draped and cuirassed bust of Gordian right and diademed, draped bust of Tranquillina left
Rev: MHTPO ΠONTOV TOMEΩC, Nemesis standing facing, head left, holding arshin (rod) and sling, wheel at feet; Δ - < (denomination) in fields
Refs: AMNG I 3537; Varbanov 5701; Moushmov 2279; Cf. SNG Cop 305.

 

I did, thank you.


Interesting Aurelian Ant, @maridvnvm , particularly Aurelian being larger than Jupiter on the reverse, and the runner clips at 11 and 5. I am curius about the Balkan min.

And, like Doug, I do not know the mint mark on my coin...?


AURELIAN


RI Aurelian 270-275 CE AE Ant receiving Globe from Jupiter IOVI CON SER *T Ticinum
From the Doug Smith Collection

 

I do not see this as a gouge but a weak struke that did not fill both sides of the die with the thin flan. The dent on the reverse lines up with the thick part of the portrait so neither die touched the metal and transferred detail. This is common during the period.

*T - It is always interesting to know where my 'departed' coins ended up. I hope you and all the others who got my coins (or will in the future) are happy with them. I am currently sorting coins again selecting more I can live without. I'd like to get down to something like 3000 coins but that is probably more radical than I can see happening today.

 

Thank you. Could not see the asterisk, but T was easy.
Ticinum

And, very happy with the various coins that I have gotten from you. I enjoy them a lot.

 

Nice thread idea on one of my favs!

 

I have one with the same mint mark:


Aurelian, AD 270-275.
Roman billon antoninianus, 4.28 gm, 23.3 mm.
Siscia, issue 6, AD 272-274.
Obv: IMP AVRELIANVS AVG, radiate, cuirassed bust, right.
Rev: IOVI CONSER, emperor standing r., holding short scepter, receiving globe from Jupiter standing left, holding long scepter; *T in exergue.
Refs: RIC 225; MER/RIC temp 2208; Cohen 108.

 

Here is my Aurelian from Cyzicus mint:
RIC Va, page 304, #346, Cohen no. 105, not in HCC
3,31 grams, diameter 21,35 mm

 

How are you deciding the T is the city rather than the third officina of Siscia? I'd need to look up the series to see if there might be a *P and *S in MER-RIC but that would be more work than I am into today. It is nice outside and I have weds and sticks and other attractions competing for time. Meanwhile, my break is over. Tomorrow will be rainy and leave more time for coins.

 

Fast, lazy google search, reviewed several sites: T only showed up. Specifically searched * and nothing appeared. Not my focus area, so probly erred.

 

I would side with Siscia.

http://www.ric.mom.fr/en/coin/2152

 

Nice coin @maridvnvm

 

Nice coin, but it is not from Rome rather from Serdica. It is RIC TEMP 2599 to be precise:

RIC temp n°2599 - RIC v1.0 Online: Roman Imperial Coinage (mom.fr)

 

Definitely Siscia as Martin pointed out, not Ticinum.