Did I just buy an unlisted Postumus antoninianus with left facing bust, and holding club?

Discussion in 'Ancient Coins' started by Harry G, Oct 13, 2021.

  1. Harry G

    Harry G Well-Known Member

    Title says it all really

    I recently bought a large lot of about 100 mixed coins from a reputable seller on eBay. While searching through them, this one caught my eye.

    (sorry for the poor picture)

    postumus as hercules.png

    I know it's not exactly pretty, and still has lots of encrustations on, but it looks like it's an antoninianus of Postumus, with his bust left. The reverse seems to be ORIENS AVG, which (as far as I can tell) is unlisted with this obverse.

    Here is a much prettier example, which was sold by CNG a few years ago, but with Pax reverse
    4420584.jpg
    I have attempted to draw an outline on the few details I can see on the picture of my example.
    postumus as hercules annotated.png
    The details don't match up exactly, and the "club" seems to be lower down on mine.

    Does anyone have any ideas on what my coin is?

    Thanks!
     
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  3. Dwarf

    Dwarf Active Member

    Well - the reverse is definitely Sol with a whip.
    ORIENS AVG
    And the obverse seems to show Claudius
     
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  4. wittwolf

    wittwolf Well-Known Member

    It does indeed look alot like the portrait on the CNG coin and looking around a bit at the internet I have seen some more coins using this obverse but none with the ORIENS AVG reverse.
     
    Harry G likes this.
  5. furryfrog02

    furryfrog02 Well-Known Member

    I don't think it's Claudius. His beard is pointy, like that of Postumus. It does look the CNG coin sort of. Beyond that, I can't tell for sure. It is rather crusty.
     
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  6. froggycoins

    froggycoins Member

    Hello
    Don't you think it could be a Victorinus left facing ?
     
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  7. Tejas

    Tejas Well-Known Member

    I think its Victorinus.
     
    Harry G likes this.
  8. ancient coin hunter

    ancient coin hunter 3rd Century Usurper

    I'd vote Postumus. If it is Victorinus it might be an INVICTVS reverse type which has the figure like yours on the reverse. However that coin is a right facing bust...according to wildwinds, Cunetio hoard number 2539
     
  9. Harry G

    Harry G Well-Known Member

    Yes, I was wondering if it might be Victorinus, although I don't think he minted any coins with ORIENS AVG reverse
     
  10. Dwarf

    Dwarf Active Member

    Victorinus won't fit any published type (as far as I know) and I do not see a fitting lettering, ORIENS is clear reading
     
  11. Harry G

    Harry G Well-Known Member

    Ok a small-ish update.

    I'm currently working on removing the deposits that still remain on the coin, and I'm pleased to say that it looks like the coin is silver.

    Sorry again for the poor quality picture

    IMG_20211013_181200__01.jpg

    Hopefully, the obverse is the same. I haven't started working on that yet :)
     
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  12. seth77

    seth77 Well-Known Member

    Yep you did. But I would also understand how a cherry-picker would have missed it and allow it to go unnoticed in a lot.
     
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  13. romismatist

    romismatist Well-Known Member

    I think it's a left-facing Postumus. If you look at the "VS" lettering to the left of the forehead, it kind of matches the CNG example. I don't think it's Victorinus. The portrait also seems to match the CNG example. Just my $0.02.
     
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  14. Harry G

    Harry G Well-Known Member

    Ok, another small update.

    I've been cleaning it with distilled water and a toothpick, and here are the results so far.

    It definitely looks like a Postumus antoninianus with bust left holding club now.

    Before:
    postumus as hercules.png

    After:
    postumus as hercules 2.png

    There is a thin layer of silvering on the coin, which was unexpected. A lot more detail on my (admittedly quite patchy) cleaning is showing now

    However, I have noticed some of the silvering wearing away; particularly on the obverse (e.g. the black spot in front of the eyes). There are also some patches - possibly bronze disease - on the reverse. I haven't yet determined if that's penetrated the silvering or not.

    I have also slightly scratched the surface of the coin, which isn't visible in the photos.

    I think I'll leave the coin as is now, and seek professional help to clean it.
     
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  15. seth77

    seth77 Well-Known Member

    You can also see the lion on the shoulder now.
     
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