So after @DonnaML posted about animals on Philip I reverses I stated I didn`t have one when in fact I did - though I just hadn't researched it and it was in my still rather small Roman Provincial box. Anyway, I have spent most of the afternoon researching this coin, though its not in the best condition, but it does have a pleasant green patination developing, and here it is...…. Philip I AE 28 of Viminacium, Moesia Superior. Year 9 of founding, 248 AD. IMP M IVL PHILIPPVS AVG, laureate, draped and cuirassed bust right P M S COL VIM, Moesia standing, looking left between bull and lion, AN VIIII in ex. (Emblems of the Roman legions VII and IV quartered in the province) Reference: Sear 2614 var, Sear GIC 3874 var What I find interesting is the reference to the Legions on the reverse. Viminacium was a major city in Moesia (Todays Serbia) and capital of Moesia Superior and it was the base camp of the Legio VII Claudia and also hosted for some time the Legio IIII Flavia Felix. The bull and the lion depicted on the reverse were the symbols of the two legions. The city was destroyed in AD 440 by the Huns. Legio quarta Flavia Felix - The Lucky Flavian Fourth legion was founded in AD 70 by Vespasian from the ashes of the Macedonica Legio IV. The Legions symbol was a lion. This Roman Legion was featured at the beginning of the movie Gladiator where Maximus Decimus Meridius was the legions general leading the campaign in Germania. Wow. Legio septimal Claudia Pia Fidelis The legion that is loyal and faithful to Claudius. The legion was founded in Pompey (Spain) in 65BC by Julius Caesar and it marched with him throughout the entire Gallic wars. Legio VII was one of the two legions used in Caesars invasion of Britain and played a crucial role in the battle of Pharsalus in 48BC. The legion existed until the end of the 4th century AD guarding the middle danube region. Its emblem was the Bull. So that`s where my afternoon has gone. Its been fun and so very informative. Please share any coins depicting Legions that you may have. Ave Caesar!
I believe this is Bing's area of expertise but here is an Antony Legionary denarius I am proud of: Mark Antony (Triumvir) Gens: Antonia Moneyer: Military Mint Coin: Silver Denarius ANTAVG III VIR. R.P.C. - Galley right under oars Leg XII Antiqvae - Eagle between standards Mint: Patras ? (32-31 BC) Wt./Size/Axis: 2.72g / 18mm / 12h References: RSC 40 BMC 222 Cr544/9 Syd 1231 Sear5 #1480 Provenances: Thierry DUMEZ NUMISMATIQUE Acquisition/Sale: Thierry DUMEZ NUMISMATIQUE MA-Shops $0.00 10/18 The Gary R. Wilson Collection
Nice one, @JulesUK ! If you're looking for an exact reference, it's AMNG I (Pick) 105: Or BMC 3, p. 17, 25: My Philip from Viminacium came from a bulk lot and it looks it! Year 5: Philip I, AD 244-249. Roman provincial Æ 28.1 mm, 17.65 g, 1 h. Moesia Superior, Viminacium, AD 244. Obv: IMP M IVL PHILIPPVS AVG, laureate, draped and cuirassed bust, right. Rev: P M S COL VIM, Moesia standing left between bull standing right and lion left; in exergue: AN V (= year 5 of the Colonial Era of Viminacium = AD 244). Ref: BMC 3.16,18; AMNG 100.
Here's the same type issued by Viminacium for Herennia Etruscilla edited. Very little is known of Herennia Cupressenia Etruscilla, besides the fact that she was the wife of Trajan Decius and Roman Empress. She was the mother of Herennius Etruscus and Hostilian. When Decius and Herennius were killed in the Battle of Abrittus, she very briefly became regent during the minority of Hostillian, but when Hostillian died of the plague, Herennia sank into obscurity. We only know her full name from the inscriptions on Alexandrian tets: ΕΡ ΚΟΥΠ ΑΙΤΡΟΥCΚΙΛΑ, ΚΟΥΠ expanding to Cupressenia, referring to the Cypress tree, a symbol of Juno. MOESIA SUPERIOR, Viminacium. Herennia Etruscilla, AD 249-251 Obv.: HER ETRUSCILLA AVG; Diademed, draped bust right. Rev.: PMS COL VIM; Moesia standing between bull and lion // AN XII (= AD 250/1) Reference: Moushmov 48
I've got one of Etruscilla as well. Sestertius sized. Just posted it the other day so I won't bore anyone with it at the moment.
MARCUS ANTONIUS AR Denarius OBVERSE: ANT AVG III VIR R P C, Praetorian galley, thyrsos behind prow REVERSE: LEG IIII, legionary eagle between two standards Patrae 32-31 BC 3.3g, 17mm RSC 29; Syd 1220, Cr544/16 MARCUS ANTONIUS AR Denarius OBVERSE: ANT AVG III VIR R P C, Praetorian galley, thyrsos behind prow REVERSE: LEG IV, legionary eagle between two standards Patrae 32-31 BC 3.8g, 17mm Cr 544/17; Syd 1219 ex. Lucerne Vcoins MARCUS ANTONIUS AR Denarius OBVERSE: ANT AVG III VIR R P C, Praetorian galley, thyrsos behind prow REVERSE: LEGVII, legionary eagle between two standards Patrae 32-31 BC 3.8g, 17mm Cr544/20, Syd 1224 ex. Lucerne Vcoins
So I have just received another Viminacium coin this time a Gordian III. Can anyone help with the AN (Dot) I (Dot) in the exergue, as I suspect it may be a year reference (Or founding date) and not a legion as in my OP? There is a nice coppery red patination which really glints in the sun. Would appreciate any comments/learning points as always. GORDIAN III (238-244 AD) AE 20, Dupondius, Viminacium, Moesia. 4.34g Obv; IMP CAES M ANT GORDIANUS AVG. Rad, dr and cuir bust right Rev; PMS CO-L-VIM. Moesia standing facing, head left, extending hands to bull and lion at feet on either side. AN dot I dot in ex. AMNG 72. Martin 1`02`1
Thank you for a very interesting write-up. I have 4 or 5 Philip I's. Here's one depicting animals. Admittedly, not the greatest condition, but a pretty decent portrait. Philip I (the Arab); Æ28; Moesia Superior, Viminacium OBV: Laureate, draped, cuirassed bust r.; IMP M IVL PHILIPPVS AVG REV: Moesia stg l. between bull and lion; P M S COL VIM. AN VII in ex.
My go-to site for Viminacium coins is this one: http://www.viminacium.nl/English index.html It is one of the most useful sites I know of to see varieties - great illustrations with a huge amount of detail and well-organized. Here are two of mine gifted to me by the generous tenbobbit recently. When attributing them, I used notes from the site linked above. Gordian III Æ Dupondius Year 4 (July 242-243 A.D.) Viminacium, Moesia Superior IMP CAES M ANT [GORDIANVS AVG], radiate, draped & cuirassed bust right / PMS C OLVIM, Moesia stdg. facing, bull and lion either side. AN IIII in ex. Varbanov 119; Pick 84; Martin 1.32.1. (7.61 grams / 23 x 21 mm) Attribution Note: "Remark: Finer lettering and finer portrait of Gordian. On the reverse there is some spacing between PMS and the letter C and between de letter C and the head of Moesia." viminacium.nl website Herennia Etruscilla Æ Sestertius Year 12 (250-251 A.D.) Viminacium, Moesia Superior HER ETR - VSCILLA AV draped bust right / PM - S - COLVIM, Moesia standing between bull and lion, holding branch in raised right hand, left hand over lion, AN XII in ex. Pick 139; Varbanov 181 (9.89 grams / 25 mm) Attribution Note: "The diadem in the hair is breaking the obverse legend between ETR and VSCILLA. The branch which Moesia is holding (makes) her look like the personification of Pax (peace). The message on this coin probably is that with the house of Decius the peace is restored in the Roman world." viminacium.nl website
