Here's a provincial bronze coin from Nicaea in Bithynia that I picked up a while back and just got around to attributing. The seller had originally attributed it to Trebonianus Gallus, while it was in fact struck under his son, Volusian. It was issued in 251 after Volusian was named Caesar. He was later promoted in the same year to co-emperor alongside his father. Both were killed by mutinous soldiers in 253, making their reign a short one. The coin seems to be uncommon. There is only one example on AC Search and there are 20 examples recorded in RPC online. I was happy to see my rough little coin is no more so than those contained in various museum collections. I don't generally care about rarity, but it makes me feel better if a coin is ugly or half ugly I was drawn to the Three Graces reverse - their first appearance in my collection. Please feel free to post any coins you feel are related! Nicaea, Bithynia, Volusian as Caesar, Æ 20mm Struck 251 AD Obverse: AY K BEIB ΓAΛΛOC OYOΛOCCIANOC; Radiate head of Volusian right. Reverse: ΝΙΚΑΙΕΩΝ; The Three Graces, standing with arms around one another. References: RG 784; BMC 139; SNG von Aulock 712; for c/m: Howgego 66. 20mm; 5.98g
Fantastic acquisition for your collection, @jb_depew ! I enjoy this reverse type, too. The Three Graces: Julia Domna, AD 193-217. Roman provincial Æ triassarion, 23.3 mm 8.55 g. Moesia Inferior, Marcianopolis, AD 193-211. Obv: ΙΟVΛΙΑ ΔΟ-ΜΝΑ CΕΒ, bare-headed and draped bust right. Rev: ΜΑΡΚΙΑΝΟΠΟΛΙΤΩΝ, statuary group of the Three Graces side by side, the center Grace from the reverse with arms extended around the shoulders of her companions who are both facing frontward. Refs: SGI 2313; AMNG I 603; Moushmov 417; Hristova & Jekov 6.17.26.2; Staal p. 107, 15.1.1 Notes: Obverse and reverse die match to Hristova & Jekov 6.17.26.2.
Nice pickup! I am likewise a fan of the original party girls. COMMODUS AE25. 7.69g, 25mm. MOESIA INFERIOR, Marcianopolis. H&J 6.10.26.4 (this coin illustrated); RPC IV online 4319; AMNG I 540; Varbanov 702 corr. (direction of heads). O: ΑΥ ΚΑΙ Λ ΑΥΡΗ ΚΟΜΟΔΟС, Bareheaded, draped, and cuirassed bust right. R: ΜΑΡΚΙΑΝΟΠΟΛƐΙΤΩΝ, the Three Graces standing facing, heads left, right, and right, respectively: the left holds oinochoe over dolphin, the center drapes arms over others, and the right holds wreath over oinochoe. Ex Dr. George Spradling Collection, ex Alexandre de Barros Collection (CNG E143, 12 July 2006, lot 115), ex CNG 47 (16 Sep 1998) lot 833
Well done, @jb_depew ! A 3-Graces is cool, but under a shorted lived Ruler is great! I have no grace! But, I have VOLUSIANUS RI Volusian 251-253 CE AR Tet Antioch mint Eagle - son of Treb Gallus
