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<p>[QUOTE=&quot;maridvnvm, post: 2093690, member: 31620&quot;]As some of you are aware, I have several areas of collecting focus but a lack of ability to really focus on those areas. Every now and then I buy a coin because it calls to me for some reason and not because it falls into any collecting niche I have.</p><p><br /></p><p>This time I have bought an Antoninianus of Tetricus I. He was emperor of the Gallic Empire from A.D. 271-274. His coins are common and generally appear on ragged flans. This one is no different, the flan is ragged and some of the obverse legend is partly off flan. What called to me on this coin was as follows:-</p><p><br /></p><p>The condition is generally quite pleasing, the entire obverse legend is legible despite the partial loss of the AVG, the portrait is well executed in classic Gallic style and would be easily recognised as Tetricus, the reverse is intact with nice centering, full legends and a well detailed Hilaritas. So what else? There are parallel lines on the reverse, which must have been transferred from the die, these are evidence of the die preparattion and are likely the result of the die having been filed before use. Under magnification it is possible to clearly see the marks hade by the engraver when creating the palm fronds, arm etc.</p><p><br /></p><p>In addition to all this the coin is a bit of a heavyweight though not exceptionally so. The typical weight range for coins of Tetricus seems to be in the 2.5gms to 3.8gms range. This coin measures in at 19.90 mm, 4.28 gms. I have seen a few other coins of Tetricus weighing up to 7.79gms, which are are monsters. Bland and Burnett commented that there does seem to have been an improvement in the weight standard in latter issues of Tetricus when discussing the Normanby hoard.</p><p><br /></p><p>Tetricus I Antoninianus</p><p>Obv:– IMP TETRICVS P F AVG, Radiate, draped and cuirassed bust right</p><p>Rev:– HILARITAS AVGG, Hilaritas standing left, holding long branch and cornucopiae</p><p>Minted in Mainz or Trier mint 273-274AD</p><p>Reference:– RIC 80. Elmer 789. AGK (corr) 4c. Kamp 102.19</p><p><br /></p><p><img src="http://www.forumancientcoins.com/gallery/albums/userpics/10618/RI_120c_img.jpg" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" alt="" unselectable="on" /> </p><p><br /></p><p>Martin[/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>

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