Victory coins and medallions

I have always liked the coins and medallions of Roman Emperors that seek to glorify their victories (and of course are great propaganda vehicles). They usually embody elaborate designs and are often especially well struck.

My personal favorite pictorial example (the reverse of which is my CT avatar) is actually a bronze copy of the famous ten aurei multiple (RIC VOLUME VI, TREVERI, No. 34), the original of which presently resides in the museum at Arras and that commemorates the restoration of secessionist Britain to the Roman Empire by Constantius in 296. The reverse depicts the personification of Londinium (LON) kneeling and supplicating to Constantius (on horseback) outside of the City Fortification while a galley with Roman soldiers waits on the river Thames. The inscription REDDITOR LVCIS AETERNAE proclaims Constantius as the restorer of the eternal light (of Rome). The Treveri (Trier) mint mark (PTR) is in the exergue.



FL VAL CONSTANTIVS NOBIL CAES ............... REDDITOR LVCIS AETERNAE
LON (reverse lower right) PTR (reverse exergue)

Bastien records the original (unique) coin as No. 218 in his book on the Arras Hoard and mentions that galvano copies were made and sold by the Paris coin dealer Bourgey. At a weight of 23.0 grams I think the copy depicted here was cast in bronze from one of those galvano copies. There appears to be numerous other copies in circulation in a variety of metals - brass/bronze, silver, gilded copper, etc.

Please post pics of your “Victory coins” and medallions (copies identified as such)

 

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Yes, that artwork, particularly the reverse, is fabulous!

 

I didn't post my victory coin, since I haven't had a great victory yet!

 

That's a remarkable coin Jamesicus, one that I wish was more easily available in replica. I'd love to add a copy of it to my collection.

 

I've always admired that Medallion since I first saw it in the book Roman Coins by Max Hirmer and J.P.C. Kent when I was about 11 years old and just starting my collecting.

 

They are available from time to time in various metals and at various venues. One was sold by CNG and the record of sale can be retrieved via their research facility. I used to have the link to that entry but I can no longer find it, sorry.

 

Here are my three “Victory over Britannia” coins of the Septimius Severus campaigns in Scotland:


Septimius Severus, Denarius, RIC Vol. IV, No. 335
Obverse: Septimius Severus,, Laureate head facing right
Inscription clockwise from bottom: SEVERVS PIVS AVG BRIT
Reverse: Victory (Britannia?) seated left writing on shield
Inscription: VICTORIAE BRIT



Caracalla, Denarius, RIC Vol. IV, No. 231a
Obverse: Caracalla, Laureate head facing right
Inscription clockwise from bottom: ANTONINVS PIVS AVG BRIT
Reverse: winged Victory advancing right holding trophy
Inscription: VICTORIAE BRIT



Geta, Denarius, RIC Vol. IV, No. 91
Obverse: Geta, Laureate head facing right
Inscription clockwise from bottom: P SEPT GETA PIVS AVG BRIT
Reverse: Victory standing left holding wreath and palm branch
Inscription: VICTORIAE BRIT

 

That is a spectacular medal/copy, jamesicus. I'm glad they made copies of this one - it deserves a wider circulation than just the one in the museum.

Does a Victory arch count? This is a "sestertius" of Claudius that I am pretty certain is a copy of some sort. It does have rather convincing ancient-looking surfaces, but it looked a lot like known Da Cavino copies I found online, and it is a tad light weight. This is one of those $25 eBay gambles I am so fond of. What the heck...




Claudius Æ Sestertius /Medal
Paduan copy after Da Cavino
(50-54 A.D. type; 1500-1570 or later 19th C. restrike?)
TI CLAVDIVS CAESAR AVG P M TR P IMP P P, laureate head right / NERO CLAVDIVS DRVSVS GERMAN IMP, S C Arch of Drusus with statue.
RIC 114 type (Paduan copy)
(18.16 grams / 31 mm)

 

Yes, your “Victory arch” Sestertius certainly does count @Marsyas Mike! Nice coin, thanks for posting it.

 

Beautiful piece, @jamesicus ! Thank you for posting.

 

Thank you @Deacon Ray - I have missed your presence here.

 

Here's one from Galba.





Galba (Augustus)
Coin: Brass Sestertius
SER GALBA IMP CAES AVG TR P - Laureate head right.
S C - Victory advancing or walking left, holding palladium in right hand and palm in left
Exergue:



Mint: Rome (c. Nov. 68 AD)
Wt./Size/Axis: 23.59g / 35.98mm / 180
References:
RIC I 456
ACG 21 (A27/P83)
BMCRE 104
Cohen 256
Provenances:
Ex Davissons
Marc Breitsprecher
Acquisition/Sale: Ancient Imports Internet # $0.00 7/17
Notes: Mar 27, 20 - The Gary R. Wilson Collection

 

Great coin, Gary, thanks for posting it. I have always wanted one of those (Sestertii).

 

Thanks jamesicus. Word of warning, when you get one you will probably want others.

 

…………… and that is for sure, Gary !

 

My favorite VICTORY is the first AR Victory coin of Rome, and it is the first AR coin produced at the Rome Mint:


Roman Republic
265-242 BCE
AR Heavy Denarius - Didrachm
Roma-
Victory
Crawford 22-1 Sear 25 R
Ex: Eucharius

 

Excellent @Alegandron!

 

@jamesicus, @thejewk,
The CNG one is here. Roma Numismatics sold this one in 2018. I was sure I had seen another for sale this year (maybe last year) but I can't find it. I'd love one as well, but I can't bring myself to pay $3250+fees for a copy when I still have real coins I need to buy.

You can read a little bit more about the Arras medallions relating to Britain here (Constantius Chlorus' medallions from the hoard) and here (Constantine the Great's medallion).

 

Nero minted (or caused to be minted) a whole series of aes Victory coins. Here is one example:


RIC Vol. I, NERO, As, Lugdunum, No. 543 (AD 66)
Obverse: Nero, bare headed facing right
Inscription clockwise from bottom: IMP NERO CAESAR AVG P MAX TRP P P
Reverse: Winged Victory, walking left, holding shield inscribed SPQR
Inscription: S -------- C (left and right).

 

Thank you, James.