Featured A Brief Look at the Coinage of Postumus

Discussion in 'Ancient Coins' started by Al Kowsky, Jun 13, 2021.

  1. Al Kowsky

    Al Kowsky Well-Known Member

    Compared to the debased & wretched looking coinage of the emperor Gallienus, the coinage of Postumus is a joy to look at. His coinage like that of Gallienus, is plentiful & handsome looking double denarii are not that expensive. No denarii or bronze as coinage was struck during his reign, but he did strike gold aurei, billon double denarii (antoniniani) bronze sestertii, & double sestertii. Pictured below are examples of some his coinage.

    image01681, Postumus (2).jpg
    Romano-Gallic Empire, Marcus Cassianius Latinius Postumus, AD 260-269, Treveri Mint (Trier, Germany), 3rd emission, AD 261. AE Sestertius: 32 mm, 25.5 gm, 6 h. Obverse: Laurate, cuirassed, & draped bust facing right, IMP C POSTVMVS P F AVG. Reverse: Victory striding left while holding a wreath & palm branch in her other hand. A captive is seated on the ground, VICTORIA AVG. RIC V 170. Al Kowsky Collection.

    Roma E-Sale 82, Lot 1553.jpg

    Postumus, AD 260-269 (struck AD 261), Treveri Mint. AE Double Sestertius: 30 mm, 16.11 gm, 12 h. The reverse is the same type as my sestertius. A radiate crown distinguishes this denomination. Oddly, the double sestertius almost always weighs less than the sestertius o_O. Photo courtesy of Roma Numismatics Limited.


    Postumus, RIC 75 (2).jpg
    Ex Al Kowsky Collection

    B.F.A., image00789.jpg

    Postumus, AD 260-269 (struck AD 261), Treveri Mint. Billon Antoninianus: 23 mm, 4.57 gm, 6 h. Reverse: Roman galley moving right, LAETITIA AVG. RIC V 73. Photo courtesy of Bertolami Fine Arts.

    Roma E-Sale 82, lot 1558.jpg

    Postumus, AD 260-269 (struck AD 268) Treveri Mint. Billon Antoninianus: 20 mm, 3.27 gm, 12 h. Reverse: Pax holding olive branch & scepter, PAX AVG. RIC V.2 318. Photo courtesy of Roma Numismatics Limited.

    British Museum, AV Aureus of Postumus.png

    Postumus, AD 260-260 (struck AD 261), Treveri Mint. AV Aureus: 21 mm, 6.69 gm, 6 h. Reverse: Postumus seated on a curule chair, holding a role & extending a hand towards a small figure before him. It commemorates the "dutiful generosity" of Postumus, presumably exercised when he celebrated his quinquennalia. This unique coin was donated to the British Museum by Edward Wigan in 1864. It has the finest portrait executed on a Roman coin in the 3rd century. Why the coin was holed remains a mystery.


    Ex N.B.H., Sotheby's 6-19-1990, $46,750.00.jpg
    Postumus, AD 260-269 (struck c. AD 269) Cologne Mint. AV Aureus: 20 mm, 5.79 gm, 7 h. Obverse: Jugate busts of Postumus & Hercules, POSTVMVS PIVS FELIX AVG. Reverse: Hercules fighting the Nemean lion, HERCVILI NEMAEO. Ex Nelson Bunker Hunt Collection.

    01-11 (2).jpg

    Gold aurie like these coins were often put into elaborate pendant mounts & given to high ranking officials. These three treasures were recently stolen from a Paris museum :(.

    Becker Fake Aureus, Becker_Hill_225.jpg
    This interesting gold plated phantasy of a Postumus aureus was made by the renown German forger Carl Wilhelm Becker, 1772-1830.

    If any CT members have interesting coins of Postumus, you're welcome to post them on this thread :happy:.














     
    Last edited: Jun 14, 2021
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  3. Jwt708

    Jwt708 Well-Known Member

    Very nice! I have a few but here is my favorite:

    [​IMG]
    Postumus, AD 260-269
    AE “Double" Sestertius, 33mm, 24.9g, 12h; Colonia Agrippinensis or Treveri mint.
    Obv.: IMP C M CASS LAT POSTVMVS P F AVG; Radiate, draped and cuirassed bust right.
    Rev.: LAETITIA AVG (AVG in exergue); Galley left, four rowers and steersman
     
  4. Mat

    Mat Ancient Coincoholic

    [​IMG]
    Postumus (260 - 269 A.D.)
    AR Antoninianus
    O: IMP C POSTVMVS P F AVG, Radiate, draped, and cuirassed bust right.
    R: FIDES EXERCITVS Four military standards, hand on top of second, eagle on third.
    Lugdunum (Lyon) mint. Struck 266 A.D.
    3.8g
    20mm
    RIC V 303; Cunetio 2432; Elmer 417; RSC 65
     
  5. tibor

    tibor Supporter! Supporter

    @Al Kowsky Really nice write up and presentation. On the Aureus that
    shows Postumus and Hercules, what is the indication that it was struck
    at the Cologne mint? Just curious.
     
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  6. dougsmit

    dougsmit Member

    All of my coins of Postumus are interesting to me. He was such a fine looking fellow. I do find it interesting that many of his laureate head sestertii weigh more than his radiate doubles. Example: the pair shown here by Al. Some things remain a mystery. More than a few of his bronzes were overstruck on Antonine period sestertii. Here we see the outline of Antoninus Pius just right of Postumus' forehead. The smaller letters were from the Pius (IVSAVG left of heads) while the larger letters belong to Postumus. The reverse galley is over a Pius reverse I can not identify. Help, please?
    rr1912bb3190.jpg

    I do not know which of my ants is my favorite but the Salus below is attractive and complete.
    rr1780bb0084.jpg

    The IOVI STATORI has good die work but was not as well struck.
    rr1860bb1785.jpg

    IOVI VICTORI is from the later period when the alloy was much less silver.
    rr1885bb3196.jpg
     
  7. Roman Collector

    Roman Collector Well-Known Member

    Fantastic write-up, @Al Kowsky, with gorgeous coins illustrated!

    My favorite Postumus is this one, because it has the personification of the Rhine River on it.

    [​IMG]
    Postumus, AD 260-269.
    Roman billon antoninianus, 2.54 g, 22.4 mm, 12 h.
    Trier (some attribute to Cologne), 1st emission, 2nd phase, AD 260-261.
    Obv: IMP C POSTVMVS P F AVG, radiate, draped and cuirassed bust, right.
    Rev: SALVS PROVINCIARVM, river god Rhinus, bearded and horned, reclining left, resting right hand on boat and holding anchor in left, left arm resting on urn.
    Refs: RIC 87; RSC 355b; Mairat 1-5; RCV 10991; AGK 88c; De Witte 290; Hunter p. lxxxviii.
     
  8. Al Kowsky

    Al Kowsky Well-Known Member

    tibor, That's a good question I have no answer for :rolleyes:. I got my info from Sotheby's, who did an extensive two page writeup on the coin in their auction catalog.
     
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  9. Al Kowsky

    Al Kowsky Well-Known Member

    Jwt708, I love the obverse on that coin :D, it's an unusually heavy example for a double sestertius too. That reverse design was also used on double denarii & sestertii.
     
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  10. Al Kowsky

    Al Kowsky Well-Known Member

    Doug, That's an interesting group of coins, especially the overstrike :happy:. I've heard a number of collectors remark that Postumus reminds them of Santa Claus :hilarious:. The action figure of Jupiter is well done for a late coin ;).
     
  11. Al Kowsky

    Al Kowsky Well-Known Member

    Mat, That's an excellent late example from the Lugdunum Mint, my favorite mint during the Diocletian era :happy:.
     
  12. tibor

    tibor Supporter! Supporter

    @Al Kowsky Thank you. Maybe someone else can provide information.
     
  13. Al Kowsky

    Al Kowsky Well-Known Member

    R.C. That's a very interesting & controversial coin type, as most examples attributed to the Cologne Mint are :D.
     
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  14. Spaniard

    Spaniard Well-Known Member

    @Al Kowsky ........Super looking coins and thoroughly enjoyed the write up Thanks!
    This is my favourite, it was cheap but I really like the portrait.
    Postumus, Antoninianus (21mm), 260-269, Trier.
    Obverse- Radiate, draped and cuirassed bust right IMP C POSTVMVS P F AVG
    Reverse- Serapis standing left, raising hand & holding sceptre; prow at his feet to left SERAPI COMITI AVG
    RIC-329 Trier mint (AD 267)
    postumus2.jpg
     
  15. ambr0zie

    ambr0zie Dacian Taraboste

    From my very first lot of ancient coins
    upload_2021-6-14_9-25-53.png

    19.9 mm 2.38 g
    Postumus (260-269 A.D.)
    Billon Antoninianus
    Colonia Agrippina (Cologne, Germany) mint, (ca. 260-61 A.D.)
    Obv: IMP C POSTVMVS P F AVG, radiate, draped &cuirassed bust of Postumus right
    Rev: IOVI VICTORI, Jupiter walking right, hurling a thunderbolt
    RIC 311
     
  16. Andres2

    Andres2 Well-Known Member

  17. zumbly

    zumbly Ha'ina 'ia mai ana ka puana

    Those are some very nice coins, Al. Here's an early HERC DEVSONIENSI issue with the less common "lean" portrait. Hercules on the reverse on the other hand looks incredibly buff.

    Postumus - Herc Devsonievsi 1886.jpg POSTUMUS
    Billon Antoninianus. 4.34g, 23.8mm. Trier mint, 1st emission, 3rd phase, AD 260-261. RIC V 64; Mairat 12-7; AGK 25; RSC 9. O: IMP C POSTVMVS P F AVG, radiate, draped, and cuirassed bust right. R: HERC DEVSONIENSI, Hercules standing right, holding bow and lion's skin in left hand and club in right hand.
    Ex E.E. Clain-Stefanelli Collection
     
  18. Harry G

    Harry G Well-Known Member

    Some very nice coins on this thread! I've got a bunch of them, but these are the only ones I have on my computer :)

    Postumus - SAECVLI FELICITAS.
    299.png

    Postumus struck under Aureolus. I bought this on eBay for about £12 a few months ago, and it was described as just a regular Postumus (shame about the crack though) :)
    Aureolus.png
     
  19. Al Kowsky

    Al Kowsky Well-Known Member

    Harry, Nice score on the eBay sleeper :D! I like the reverse design on your 1st coin with Postumus holding the spear & globe.
     
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  20. Choucas

    Choucas Well-Known Member

    Nice thread! The first sestertius of yours is great.
    Postumus did strike some denarii but all of them are very rare, even if there are a few dozen different reverses. They were not meant to be actual circulation coinage but more like special coins given to his soldiers.

    Here are some of my Postumus
    FORTVNA AVG.jpg
    Trier, 266-267
    IMP C POSTVMVS AVG / FORTVNA AVG
    Cunetio 2423 (2 ex.) ; Elmer 384 ; Mairat 340
    Much scarcer than the standing fortuna.
    IOVI VICTORI.jpg
    Cologne, 268
    IMP C POSTVMVS P F AVG / IOVI VICTORI
    Mairat 481 ; Cunetio 2468 ; Elmer 571 ; RIC 311
    (double sest.) LAETITIA AVG.jpg
    Ae double sestertius, Mint II (irregular mint), 264-266
    IM C M CA POSTVMVS P F AVG (sic) / LATITIA AVG (sic)
    13,42g
    Bastien 346 ; Méricourt-L'abbé 25 (same dies) ; Néry 37 (same dies)
    Aureolus - Fides Equit.jpg
    Milan (by Aureolus), 268
    IMP POSTVMVS AVG / FIDES EQVIT | P
    Mairat 498 ; Cunetio 2480
    PAX AVGVSTI.jpg
    Trier, 266-267
    IMP C POSTVMVS P F AVG / PAX AVGVSTI
    AGK 54 ; Cunetio 2438 (4 ex.) ; Elmer 300 ; RIC 79 ; Mairat 368
    Much scarcer than the shortened PAX AVG reverse.
     
    Last edited: Jun 14, 2021
  21. Al Kowsky

    Al Kowsky Well-Known Member

    Choucas, Thanks for the denarii info & posting a great group of coins :happy:! You're obviously a serious collector Postumus coinage. I'm elated but not surprised to see so many CT members post such great coins :D. All the Gallic Usurpers form an interesting chapter in Roman history.
     
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