Here's a couple of mine: Postumus AR Antoninianus Obverse: IMP C POSTVMVS PF AVG Radiate, draped, cuirassed but right Reverse: SERAPI COMITI AVG Serapis standing left, raising hand and holding sceptre Year: 267 C.E. Reference: RSC 360a, Sear 10991 Mint: Trier A.D. 260 Ӕ Double Sestertius, 31mm 17.3 grams Obverse: L IMP C M CASS LAT POSTVMUVS P F AVG; radiate, draped and cuirassed bust right. Reverse: P M TR P COS II PP S C; Emperor helmeted in military attire stg. l.; holding globe and spear. Reference: RIC V Lugdunum 106
Has anyone else noticed a similarity in appearance between Doug Smith & Postumus, or have I become obsessed with this thread ...
There are lots of splendid coins in this thread! Here is a group shot of my current Postumus subcollection: Some of these might deserve a write-up on CT at some point in the future. For example, the Rhenus reverse (2nd row, 4th coin) refers to Postumus efforts to secure the Rhine border and strengthen the Rhine fleet. Minerva fautrix (3rd row, 1st coin) appears only on coins of Postumus and probably alludes to Minerva's support for Hercules, Postumus' favorite deity (see 1st row, 4th coin). The appeareance of the Egyptian god Serapis (2nd row, 5th coin) on Gallic coins is certainly surprising. Yet there is evidence for a strong cult of Serapis among Roman sailors, and tombstones excavated in Cologne indicate that many Egyptians served in the 3rd century Rhine fleet. Hercules deusoniensis (3rd row, 2nd coin), on the other hand, likely is a Romanized Germanic deity. His name probably refers to the Dutch town of Diessen. There is speculation about whether Diessen might have been Postumus' birthplace.
Perhaps I should have used a smiley but Postumus is a 'fine looking fellow'. Once there was a little girl that mistook me for Santa. She still does when convenient. I made this 'spirit' stereo photo in 1978. Today there are few people who know how to freeview stereo cards.
Very clever Doug ! When I was a pre-teen I used to ride my bike over to the George Eastman House Museum (in those days it was free admission) where I saw a variety of Stereo-Graphoscope hand-viewers. The minute detail seen on the antique cards was awesome ! My mom was an antique nut & went to all the antique shops & second-hand stores, & I was a tag-along . One day I talked her into buying me one , an inexpensive model. For serious collectors there were expensive "deluxe models" The good old days....
Orielensis, What a great dozen of double denarii ! They alone would form a great thread . I think you should put-together a detailed thread on the group .
I agree that the coins of Postumus are intriguing, and in much greater style than the other emperors from the same period. Al posted some real gems in the OP. I have two of the more common ones, and consider them to be very affordable numismatic joy (25$ each).
Long before ancient coins became too expensive for me to continue collecting, I dropped out of the collecting of old images. Considering the first were made in 1839, there were a lot of interesting things made into stereoviews. The tissue view shows "deluxe models" in use by some wealthy French people. This view is hand colored on the back so it appears in color when viewed in the correct light. I need to reshoot it properly. I know everyone is tired of seeing my favorite stereoview from the 1850's but it does relate to Postumus if I am correct regarding the charm bracelet on the table.
Here's a nice Postumus Antoninianus that I think also shows well contrast between this fine coin with good silver (admittedly "good" still something in the 30% range at best) and a heavy flan and the coins that you perfectly describe as the "debased & wretched looking coinage of the emperor Gallienus" Postumus, Romano-Gallic Emperor, AD 260-269, AR Antoninianus (21.6mm, 4.76g, 6h). Mint I (Treveri / Trier), 3rd emission, 1st phase, AD 263-265 Obv: IMP C POSTVMVS PP AVG, radiate, draped, and cuirassed bust right Rev: FELICITAS AVG, Felicitas standing facing, head left, holding long caduceus and cornucopia Ref: RIC V 58; see: Mairat, J. (2014). The coinage of the Gallic Empire [PhD thesis]. Oxford University, UK.
I'm a bit late to the party, but for some reason I missed this interesting thread. Some great coins shown Nothing very distinctive here, but I rather like those Postumus portraits. IMP C POSTVMVS PF AVG, radiate and draped bust right VICTORIA AVG, Victoria advancing left, captive at her feet 3.65 gr Ref : Cohen # 377, IMP C POSTVMVS PF AVG, radiate and draped bust right SERAPI COMITI AVG, Serapis standing left, raising right hand and holding spear 4.3 gr Ref : RCV # 10992, Cohen # 360 Double sestertius struck at Cologne, AD 261 IMP C M CASS LAT POSTVMVS P F AVG, Radiate bust of Postumus right LAETITIA AVG, Galley travelling left 18.12 gr Ref : Cohen #177, RCV #11049 Q
Great write-up. Thanks a lot. I shall post a few of my Postumus coins later. It is of course true that his coins are mostly plentiful. However, the billon Ants often show porosity and have this dry, greyish appearance which I don't find attractive. So I guess his coins are plentiful, but really nice examples are not so easy to come by.
Here are my two most recent Postumus purchases. Obv:– IMP C POSTVMVS P F AVG, Radiate, draped and cuirassed bust right Rev:– PACATOR ORBIS, Radiate, draped bust of Sol right. Minted in Trier. A.D. 269 Reference– RIC 317 3.25g. 19.41 mm. 0 degrees Obv:– IMP C POSTVMVS P F AVG, Radiate, draped and cuirassed bust right Rev:– VIRTVS AVG, Emperor (sometimes referred to as Mars) advancing right, holding spear and shield, small captive to right. Minted in Cologne. A.D. 266 Reference– RIC 331; Elmer 291; AGK (corr.) 103; Cunetio 2427. A scarcer reverse type All examples I have been able to find come from the same die pair
I show my Spaghetti Victory coin all the time, so here's something rather different. A nice dynamic walking Mars. Rather skinny though, you'd think the God of War would be a bit more fit.