I'm interested in antoniniani of the Tetrarchy. In the spirit of the recent discussion on consular busts of Diocletian, I thought I would post my favorite bust type and ask others to share their favorite or most unique. IMPDIOCLE-TIANVSA-VG Radiate and cuirassed bust right, spear in left hand and shield in right IOVIF-VLGERATORI Jupiter walking left, turning right to throw thunderbolt; at foot, eagle XXIA in exergue Rome mint RIC Vii cf. 167 (bust variant) p.237 Does anyone else have an example of this bust type for Diocletian or Maximian?
darwin, That's a handsome coin, both obverse & reverse . I like the military bust type too . Here are a couple from my collection that I've posted before. Maximian Herculeus, AD 286-310 (struck AD 305). Aquileia Mint, Officina 1. Billon Nummus: 11.98 gm, 28 mm, 12 h. Reverse: Fides Militum. RIC VI 61b. Rare.
@darwin31 , welcome to CoinTalk! Here is a follis of Maximian with a splendid helmet, shield, and spear over far shoulder. 27-25 mm. 9.42 grams. MAXIMIANVS AVG GENIO POPVLI ROMANI London mint. Not in RIC. Not in Cloke and Toone, The London Mint, but assigned by them (personal communication) number 3.01.020.5 "c. 303 - 1 May 305."
I have posted this coin several times, but it is my current favorite with spear and shield-- Maximinus II A.D. 309- 310 26mm 6.4g MAXIMINVS NOB CAES; Helmeted and cuirassed bust left, holding spear over his right shoulder and shield decorated with two horsemen with Draco standards riding to left, four enemies below them; on cuirass, gorgoneion; on helmet, Sol standing facing in quadriga, raising his right hand in salute and holding globe in his left, around, stars and crescent, crest ending in griffin. VIRTVS EXERCITVS; Mars standing front, head to left, resting right hand on decorated shield and holding spear in left; in field to left, lighted altar; B in r. field. In ex. ANT RIC VI Antioch 125 and second place-- Constantine I A.D. 318-19 19mm 2.9g IMP CONSTANTINVS P F AVG; laureate helmet and cuirassed bust right with spear across right shoulder and shield/ buckler on left. VICTORIAE LAETAE PRINC PERP; two Victories stg., facing one another, together holding shield inscribed VOT PR on altar. in ex. ΓSIS RIC VII Siscia --
That Probus wearing imperial mantle is quite cool too I think Siscia mint IMP C M AVR PROBVS P F AVG, radiate ust of Probus left, wearing imperial mantle (bust type H) SOLI INVICTO, Sol in quadriga, XXIT at exergue 3.77 gr Ref : Cohen #662, RCV # 12038 var, RIC 767 Q
Fascinating coin! I haven't seen one with that bust type before. I have a couple of imperial mantle coins. Here are my favourites. My "nicest" one is this antoninianus of Probus. The obverse is in pretty fantastic condition, and is better than the photos suggest. Practically stole it for £12 on eBay And here's my dead ugly antoninianus of Carausius, wearing an imperial mantle and holding an eagle tipped sceptre. A scarce type, even with the standard Pax reverse
The military and the cuirassed bust types (especially with the radiate crown) are for me the most interesting bust types for emperors. They often look absolutely awesome (or maybe fearsome if you are and barbarian?) and feature a lot of details but thats also true for the consular busts. Here some favorites from my collection (Not including my alltime favorite Gallienus you can always see on my profile picture ): Emperor Maximian - Cuirassed bust with radiate crown Crispus Caesar - Laureate cuirassed bust Emperor Constantin I. - Armored laureate bust Emperor Julian - Advancing military bust with spear and shield and diademed helmet
Also interesting bust type in my opinion is the female bust on crescent giving the people somekind of Sun and Moon view toward the imperial couples: Empress Salonina - Crescent bust
This is NOT my coin but I find heroic bust types extremely artistic. Here is a Probus bust I like Beata Tranquilitas coins also feature nice busts. Gallienus with shield and haste deserves a mention.
Here is a Probus with an unusual "heroic" bust. Radiate bust left, no cuirass or drapery (nude), seen from behind with shield slung from a strap and spear pointing forward. VIRTVS PROBI AVG CONSERVAT AVG Sol leaning right holding up right hand and holding globe in his left hand. RIC 351 (Ticinum) with TXXT in exergue.
Hello, This is one of my them of collection, I love "special" bust, this is my top 3 1) Nummus of Constantinus I : 2) Sestertius of Postumus 3) Nummus of Constantinus II And if you are interested by this thematic, you can visit my CollecOnline gallery with many other "special bust" : https://www.colleconline.com/fr/col...nes-republicaines-imperiales-bustes-originaux
That Lyons Constantine bust is just spectacular! I've seen you post it before, but every time I see it I'm still amazed!
I've got one of those Gallienus with spear and shield as well. Nice silver (relatively speaking!) Date: 257-258 AD, AR antoninianus Obverse: GALLIENVS P F AVG, Radiate cuirassed bust left, holding spear over right shoulder, and shield at left shoulder (Gorgoneion on shield?) Reverse: GERMANICVS MAX V, Trophy of armor with two bound captives seated at base Size: 23.31 mm Weight: 2.99 grams Attribution: RIC Vii 18, rare 3 ex-Marc Breitsprecher
These are among the most dynamic bust types: Probus 'heroic bust' with spear forwards and aegis Constantine II with globe and spear forwards
Nemesis, Those are 3 handsome coins ! You've got some great coins on your website too, especially that Visigothic tremissis .
