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<p>[QUOTE=&quot;seth77, post: 2257842, member: 56653&quot;]This series is what practically got me into actively studying and pursuing LRBs and is arguably one of the better series of Gothicus (along with the Moneta Cyzicus series), in a reign that has seen the worst of the Antoniniani debasement and sloppy execution of both design and flan.</p><p>What sets these Smyrna-minted Ants apart is the overall nice style, wide flans and attention to details that was apparent on late Gallienus&#039;s but saw its apex on coins minted at the beginning of Gothicus&#039;s reign (cca. September 268 to Jan/Feb. 269).</p><p>All of them are rather scarce to rare, while Phase 1 - the carry-over types from Gallienus (CLAVDIVS AVG obv. legend) - are downright very rare.</p><p><br /></p><p>An interesting question that I think might help narrow the dating of Phase 2 (IMP C M AVR CLAVDIVS AVG obv. legend) is about the officina markings, which in our case are the little dots under the bust that some issues lack. Considering that Phase 1 for Gothicus have no officina markings, I think we could hypothesize that the issues without these marks from Phase 2 are to be dated at the beginning of this phase and thus being the earliest issues employing the new obv. legend IMP C M AVR CLAVDIVS AVG here. Both S. Estiot and J. Mairat date Phase 2 of Smyrna at the end of 268 until early 269 with no distinction between ones with officina marks and those without, although the chronological order is somewhat implied by the order in which the types are presented on the site.</p><p><br /></p><p>Here are 2 examples from the VIRTVTI AVG type that was also issued for Gallienus and would not surprise if it were to appear on Phase I for Gothicus too although as far as I know it&#039;s not yet recorded.</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><font size="5"><b> CLAUDIUS II GOTHICUS AE23mm 4.90g Antoninian (VF)</b></font></p><p><br /></p><p>AV: IMP C M AVR CLAVDIVS AVG; radiate, cuirassed, bust r.</p><p><br /></p><p>REV: VIRTVTI AVG; Trophy of arms (helmet l.); on each side, a bound and std. captive in oriental dress.</p><p><br /></p><p>EXE: SPQR</p><p><br /></p><p>REF: Alf. 1938, 27.13, RIC V-1 255var (bust type variation), <a href="http://www.ric.mom.fr/en/coin/823" target="_blank" class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="http://www.ric.mom.fr/en/coin/823" rel="nofollow">RIC Temp #823</a> Scarce, <b>8 specs recorded</b>, 1st issue of the 2nd phase at Smyrna mint, <b>end 268 – early 269AD.</b></p><p><br /></p><p>This one shows no officina mark, being probably earlier in the phase.</p><p><br /></p><p>[ATTACH=full]447868[/ATTACH]</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>VS.</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><font size="5"><b> CLAUDIUS II GOTHICUS AE22mm 3.22g Antoninian (F+, worn)</b></font></p><p><br /></p><p>AV: IMP C M AVR CLAVDIVS AVG; radiate, cuirassed bust r. • beneath the bust</p><p><br /></p><p>REV: VIRTVTI AVG; Trophy of arms (helmet l.); on each side, a bound and std. captive in oriental dress.</p><p><br /></p><p>EXE: SPQR</p><p><br /></p><p>REF: RIC V-1 255, <a href="http://www.ric.mom.fr/en/coin/845" target="_blank" class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="http://www.ric.mom.fr/en/coin/845" rel="nofollow">RIC Online #845</a> <b>very rare issue, 2 specs recorded, 1st officina of the 2nd phase from Smyrna mint, end of 268 to early 269AD.</b></p><p><b><br /></b></p><p>Note the dot under the bust, making this probably a later issue in the phase.</p><p><b><br /></b></p><p><b>[ATTACH=full]447869[/ATTACH] </b></p><p><b></b>[/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>

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