I can't seem to stay away from cheap coins that speak out to me. At the show, my guilt of having traded away a left facing Claudius II drove me to pick up this Juno Regina reverse. I wanted the coin I traded for more but always feel guilty trading away my children. Who knows, maybe someday I'll get all of the Claudius II reverses that were used with left portraits. I'll still feel guilty. If I didn't have a good reason for buying the Claudius II, the Constantius II is worse. This isn't even that nice a coin but it is from the Heraclea campgate series that often has retained silver and I have several others from the group from the other rulers in the mix at that time. I didn't have this one and it was not expensive. Many letters suffered from the poor strike but it is readable and not all that ugly for the price.
I really like the Claudius as well. Actually, both are nice! I ought to know better than to spend $65 on a Claudius II, but I have the same problem with listening to coins that speak to me. CLAUDIUS GOTHICUS AE Antoninianus. 3.29g, 20.5mm. Antioch mint, circa early – mid AD 270. New RIC Online Temp #1053; RIC 221; Cohen 273. O: IMP C CLAVDIVS AVG, radiate head right. R: SOL AVG, Solwith whip and upraised arm standing left.
I love picking through bags and boxes of ancients; it's where I get most of my coins. One of the things you learn over the years is to recognize scarcer issues of Emperors like Claudius II. For example, the most common DIVO CLAVDIO pieces of Claudius II are with Altar or Eagle reverses, but there are much scarcer types with that obverse including this one with the HILARITAS AVG reverse.
It's a listed variety for Claudius II. His coins are not of the greatest style in the first place so I see no reason to doubt its authenticity. There's a couple of dozen different reverses with the DIVO obverse other than the Altar or Eagle, but I've only seen a few of these; and believe me I've looked for them.
The examples posted by Brian and Zumbly are exceptional to my eyes!!! I didn't have time to post a coin yesterday so here's one with the 'Gothico' legend:
Well done, and great examples of Claudius II Gothicus and Constantius II. Mine are not as striking... I just enjoy filling my Roman Rulers slots... Leaves me the joy of upgrading them later... CLAUDIUS II GOTHICUS: RI Claudius II 268-270 BI Ant Fortuna Obv-Rev.jpg RI Claudius II 268-270 CE BI Ant Neptune Stndg dolphin trident Obv-Rev.jpg CONSTANTIUS II: RI Constantius II 337-361 CE AE 2 Soldier spearing downed horseman Obv-Rev.jpg RI Constantius II 337-361 CE AE 4 Emperor stndg holding globe Obv-Rev.jpg POEMENIUS in the NAME of CII: RI Poemenius in name of Constantius II summer 353 Trier XP RIC VIII Trier 332 RARE Obv-Rev.jpg
I don't think this is rare by any means, a little tatty around the edges but I like it. Claudius II Coin: Bronze Ant IMP C CLADIVUS AVG - Radiate, curiassed bust right VIRTVS AVG - Soldier standing let holding branch and spear shield at foot retrograde epsilon in left field Mint: Rome (268-270 AD) Wt./Size/Axis: 3.11g / 21mm / - References: RIC 109
CLAUDIUS II (GOTHICUS) Antoninianus OBVERSE: IMP CLAVDIVS P F AVG, radiate, draped bust right REVERSE: SPES PVBLICA, Spes walking left, holding flower and raising robe, P in ex. Struck at Mediolanum, 268-69 AD 2.8g, 19.9mm RIC 168 CLAUDIUS II (GOTHICUS) Antoninianus OBVERSE: IMP C CLAVDIVS AVG, radiate, draped and cuirassed bust right REVERSE: VIRTVS AVG, Minerva standing right resting on shield and holding spear, S in exergue. Struck at Antioch, 268 AD 3.1g, 20mm RIC V-1, 225 CLAUDIUS II (GOTHICUS) AE Half Follis OBVERSE: DIVO CLAVDIO OPTIMO IMP, veiled and laureate head right REVERSE: REQVIES OPTIMOR-VM MERITORVM, emperor seated in curule chair left with raised hand and sceptre, SIS in ex. Struck at Siscia, 268 AD 1.3g, 14mm RIC 43
Still a bad pic, but owell. Claudius II (268 - 270 A.D.) Æ Antoninianus O: IMP C CLAVDIVS AVG, radiate, draped, and cuirassed bust right, seen from behind. R: SALVS AVG, Isis Faria standing facing, head left, holding sistrum and basket; Є Antioch mint 22mm 3.37g RIC 217
Those are two nice OP-additions, Mentor ... congrats and scoring a bunch of winners on your recent coin road-trip! My Claudius-II (Gothicus) was my 2nd ancient coin purchase ($16 delivered) ... man, I wasn't shooting for the moon back then, eh? (this is for sure my most "humble" example) Curious, do you think this is merely a nasty coin, or is there a potentially sweet coin hiding underneath the green crunchy coating?
I have a few of the Rulers now. Over the years got a few, but the last year, I have been stepping up my game... Once I am satisfied that it is an exponential amount of searching and capital to obtain the next one, then I may look at upgrading. However, I am NOT an Empire fan. My true efforts are in the Republic and the Cities/States who interacted with them.
