A rare and unusual Claudius II from Cyzicus - VENVS AVG

Discussion in 'Ancient Coins' started by Claudius_Gothicus, Oct 30, 2021.

  1. Claudius_Gothicus

    Claudius_Gothicus Well-Known Member

    Those are some very nice denarii! So it seems like that this particular depiction of Venus was first introduced under Titus, but combined with the VENVS AVG reverse legend only a while later, for Julia. Does anybody know of any earlier appearances?

    That's a very important acquisition - the VICTORIA●G●M reverse type was only struck at Rome and is very rare and sought after, as it is the only coin struck by Claudius II at Rome that explicitly commemorates his decisive victory over the Goths at Naissus. I've never come across one for sale, but when I do I'll certainly pick it up.

    Thanks, it's just that, when I really care about something, I try my hardest to learn all that there is about it, and RIC V Online makes it very easy to do so. As for the coin, I did indeed acquire it from Nomos, it's my first win from them. My guess for why it's only listed as scarce is that they've confused it with the Smyrna version: after all, the style and the SPQR in the exergue are the only differences between the two.

    Interesting coin, though I think that it's most likely an official product, since both the style and the weight, despite being very low, are in line with what was being struck at the Rome mint at the time. As for my next thread, it will be ready soon, I'm just waiting to receive a coin of Gallienus that will fit the topic very nicely :); I'm trying to make it the most thorough and well written of all my writeups, because the coin certainly deserves it.

    Thanks! It does feel cool to be in a "special club" of sorts. Your type set of Mamaea is also excellent, and I hope you'll eventually be lucky enough to find the quinarius that you need.

    Wonderful coin! I'm still missing both a military bust of Claudius II as well as an "M-C" issue - hopefully next year I'll be lucky enough to score at least one of them. It is indeed interesting how many different reverses and bust types were struck by Cyzicus in that brief timespan, though it's a shame that most of them are very hard to find.

    You're right, those aurei are certainly a little bit lacking in artistic quality on the reverse. I'd be curious to see if anyone can find a worse depiction of her.
     
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  3. Harry G

    Harry G Well-Known Member

    Fascinating thread, as always!

    Here are some of my coins, that I think might be relevant.

    Venus - or as the coin calls her - VENS
    salonina vens victrix.png


    Claudius II: P M TR PO P P - SPQR
    claudius ii p m tr po pp.png



    Claudius II: ROMAE AETERNAE - SPQR

    claudius ii romae aeternae spqr.png

    Another SPQR coin - this time, Gallienus

    gallienus virtvti avg spqr.png

    I had no idea the M-C coins were rare lol. I only have one, but it's in pretty nice shape.
    claudius ii mc.png
     
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