Is this Cologne or Lugdunum? I was inclining toward Lugdunum because of the curly hair in front of the crown but I could be wrong. Thanks for your opinion. Also, just as an aside, I don't think Moneta would approve of the level of debasement going on here. Tisk tisk, Postumus.
I would be interested in hearing from our resident Postumus specialists if they believe in the mint ID clues like the curly hair are old wives' tales or if the latest theories lead elsewhere. My two straight hair coins below show differences in metal content more than style.
two (possibly) helpful links http://www.gallic-empire.com/coinage.htm http://www.forumancientcoins.com/lateromancoinage/gallic/postumus.html
Thanks for the links @Victor_Clark . Seems like uncertain between Trier or Cologne based on those. But definitely not Lugdunum.
As far as I see, the latest substantial piece of research on the coinage of the Gallic Empire is Jerome Mairat's dissertation (Oxford, Wolfson College, 2014, online here), which includes an extremely detailed catalogue and an image appendix suitable to begin a die study. Mairat has, at least in my eyes, very good evidence to support his thesis that Trier was the main mint of the Gallic Empire. He thus dismisses the "curly hair theory" on Cologne and Lyon. Therefore, following Mairat's argument, your coin as well as mine are both from Trier: Postumus, Gallic Roman Empire, AR antoninian, 262–266 AD, Trier mint. Obv: IMP C POSTVMVS P F AVG; bust of Postumus, radiate, draped, cuirassed, r. Rev: MONETA AVG; Moneta, draped, standing l., holding scales in r. hand and cornucopiae in l. hand. 23mm, 2.96g. Ref: Mairat 246–7/320–1; RIC V Postumus 75/315.
I own some Gallic Empire coinage. I know there is some grey area with the dies. @dougsmit is correct about some collectors looking to the hair. Trier, Mainz also remain possible as can be seen through Laelianus + others. Wildwinds: Then again look at this Valerian minted in Lyon from a similar period: It's tough to say if the hair is telling.
