Roman Imperial Coins

Lot # 708 - LAELIANUS (Usurper, 269). Antoninianus. Colonia Agrippinensis. Obv: IMP C LAELIANVS P F AVG. Radiate and cuirassed bust right.Rev: VICTORIA AVG. Victory advancing right, holding wreath and palm frond.RIC² 472.Ulpius Cornelius Laelianus, also called Lollianus, reigned for only a few months, in 269 AD before being killed. He was a usurper of the Emperor of Gaul Postumus and is included in the list of Thirty Tyrants in the Historia Augusta, but little is known about his origins. Postumus was a commander of the Limes Germanicus who rebelled around 260 and proclaimed himself Augustus after killing the Caesar Saloninus, son of Gallienus. He had created an empire in Gaul with its own senate, consuls and praetorians, with a capital at Augusta Treverorum (Trier) and a mint at Lugdunum (Lyon), which Laelianus also used. In 268, one of Postumus's officers, Ulpius Cornelius Laelianus, rebelled against him by proclaiming himself Augustus in Mogontiacum, in Germania Superior, where the Legio XXII Primigenia was stationed, of which he probably was the commander. However, his rebellion lasted only two months, then he was beheaded, either by his own soldiers or by the soldiers of Postumus, who were besieging the capital. The siege of Mogontiacum was lethal for Postumus too. He was killed by his own soldiers for refusing to allow them to plunder the conquered city, and was immediately replaced by Marcus Aurelius Marius. Condition: Extremely fine.Weight: 3.22 g. Diameter: 21 mm.

Lot # 707 - POSTUMUS (260-269). Antoninianus. Treveri. Obv: IMP C POSTVMVS P F AVG. Radiate, draped and cuirassed bust right.Rev: SALVS AVG. Asclepius standing facing, head left, holding serpent-entwined staff.RIC² 297. Condition: Very fine.Weight: 3.49 g. Diameter: 22 mm.

Lot # 706 - POSTUMUS (260-269). Antoninianus. Treveri. Obv: IMP C POSTVMVS P F AVG. Radiate, draped and cuirassed bust right.Rev: MERCVRIO FELICI. Mercury standing facing, head right, holding purse and caduceus.RIC² 294. Condition: Extremely fine.Weight: 3.34 g. Diameter: 22 mm.

Lot # 705 - POSTUMUS (260-269). Sestertius. Treveri. Obv: IMP C POSTVMVS P F AVG. Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust right.Rev: LAETITIA / AVG. Galley left.RIC² 146. Condition: Very fine.Weight: 14.71 g. Diameter: 30 mm.

Lot # 704 - POSTUMUS (260-269). Double Sestertius. Contemporary imitation. Obv: Blundered legend. Radiate bust right.Rev: Blundered legend. Postumus, in military attire, standing right, holding reversed spear and shield set on ground to right.Cf. RIC² 66 (for prototype). Condition: Near very fine.Weight: 21.93 g. Diameter: 30 mm.

Lot # 703 - POSTUMUS (260-269). Antoninianus. Treveri. Obv: IMP C POSTVMVS • P • F • AVG. Radiate, draped and cuirassed bust right.Rev: P M TR P COS II P P. Postumus standing left, holding globe and spear.RIC² 60. Condition: Good very fine.Weight: 3.24 g. Diameter: 21 mm.

Lot # 702 - POSTUMUS (260-269). Antoninianus. Treveri. Obv: IMP C POSTVMVS • P • F • AVG. Radiate, draped and cuirassed bust right.Rev: LAETITIA / AVG. Prow of galley right.RIC² 57. Condition: Very fine.Weight: 2.9 g. Diameter: 22 mm.

Lot # 701 - QUIETUS (Usurper, 260-261). Antoninianus. Samosata. Obv: IMP C FVL QVIETVS P F AVG. Radiate, draped and cuirassed bust right.Rev: IOVI CONSERVATORI. Jupiter seated left on throne, holding patera and sceptre; to left, star above eagle standing left, head right.MIR 1735n; RIC 6. Condition: Very fine.Weight: 4.59 g. Diameter: 21 mm.

Lot # 700 - QUIETUS (Usurper, 260-261). Antoninianus. Samosata. Obv: IMP C FVL QVIETVS P F AVG. Radiate, draped and cuirassed bust right.Rev: AEQVTAS AVGG. Aequitas standing left, holding scales and cornucopia.MIR 1727f; RIC 2. Condition: Very fine.Weight: 3.80 g. Diameter: 22 mm.

Lot # 699 - MACRIANUS (Usurper, 260-261). Antoninianus. Samosata. Obv: IMP C FVL MACRIANVS P F AVG. Radiate and cuirassed bust right.Rev: APOLINI CONSERVA. Apollo standing left, holding olive branch and resting hand on lyre.MIR 1728b; RIC 6. Condition: Good very fine.Weight: 4.11 g. Diameter: 21 mm.

Lot # 698 - VALERIAN II (Caesar, 256-258). Antoninianus. Viminacium. Obv: P LIC VALERIANVS CAES. Radiate and draped bust right.Rev: PIETAS AVGG. Priestly implements: knife, sprinkler, ewer, lituus and simpulum.MIR 862b; RIC 19 (Rome). Condition: Very fine.Weight: 3.15 g. Diameter: 23 mm.

Lot # 697 - ANONYMOUS. Time of Gallienus (253-268). Sestertius. Rome. Obv: GENIVS PR. Radiate bust of Genius right, with features of Gallienus.Rev: INT / VRB. Large S C within wreath.MIR 702h; RIC 2 (Interregnum). Condition: Near very fine.Weight: 19.03 g. Diameter: 29 mm.

Lot # 696 - GALLIENUS (253-268). Antoninianus. Antioch. Obv: GALLIENVS AVG. Radiate and cuirassed bust right.Rev: AETERNITAS AVG / PXV. Saturn standing right, holding harpa.MIR 1662k; RIC 606. Condition: Uncirculated.Weight: 3.95 g. Diameter: 20 mm.

Lot # 695 - GALLIENUS (253-268). Antoninianus. Antioch. Obv: GALLIENVS P F AVG. Radiate and cuirassed bust right.Rev: AEQVITAS AVG. Aequitas standing left, holding scales and cornucopia; star to left.MIR 1610e; RIC 626. Condition: Near extremely fine.Weight: 3.92 g. Diameter: 21 mm.

Lot # 694 - GALLIENUS (253-268). Antoninianus. Antioch. Obv: GALLIENVS P F AVG. Radiate and cuirassed bust right.Rev: SPQR OPTIMO PRINCIPI. Legend in four lines within wreath.MIR 1609b; RIC 659. Condition: Good very fine.Weight: 3.89 g. Diameter: 24 mm.

Lot # 693 - GALLIENUS (253-268). As. Rome. Obv: IMP C P LIC GALLIENVS AVG. Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust right.Rev: AEQVITAS AVGG. Aequitas standing left, holding scales and cornucopiae.MIR 1558f; RIC 462.Rare Condition: Extremely fine.Weight: 8.61 g. Diameter: 24 mm.

Lot # 692 - GALLIENUS (253-268). Antoninianus. Siscia. Obv: GALLIENVS AVG. Radiate and cuirassed heroic bust left, seen from behind, holding spear and shield.Rev: PAX AVG. Pax advancing left, holding branch and sceptre.MIR 1397z; RIC 576.Very rare Condition: Extremely fine.Weight: 2.59 g. Diameter: 22 mm.

Lot # 691 - GALLIENUS (253-268). Antoninianus. Mediolanum. Obv: GALLIENVS AVG. Radiate head right.Rev: ORIENS AVG. Sol standing left, right hand raised, left holding globe.MIR 1126m; RIC 495. Condition: Extremely fine.Weight: 3.59 g. Diameter: 21 mm.

Lot # 690 - GALLIENUS (253-268). Antoninianus. Mediolanum. Obv: GALLIENVS AVG. Radiate head left.Rev: LEG III ITAL VII P VII F. Stork standing right.MIR 1000c; RIC 341.RareLegio III Italica was recruited in Tuscany by Marcus Aurelius around 165, in preparation for his campaign against the Marcomanni. The cognomen Italica means that the recruits were originally from Italy, and it was known as Concors, “harmonious,” because Marcus Aurelius had a co-emperor, Lucius Verus, with whom he wanted to emphasize that he lived in harmony. The emblem of the legion was a stork, a very fierce bird that kills snakes, just as the legion kills its enemies. The legion took part in several successful campaigns and built the permanent camp of Regina Castra, today's Regensburg, designed as a strongly defended position, as confirmed by an inscription dating back to the year 179. It is a very distinctive building, with a grid structure and impressive walls that made it a real fort. The legion participated in the frequent internal power struggles of the third century and, for supporting emperor Gallienus against his rival Postumus, the III Italica was first awarded the title VI Pia VI Fidelis and then VII Pia VII Fidelis (seven times virtuous, seven times faithful, as shown on this denarius). Condition: Near very fine.Weight: 2.21 g. Diameter: 22 mm.

Lot # 689 - GALLIENUS (253-268). Antoninianus. Mediolanum. Obv: GALLIENVS AVG. Radiate and cuirassed bust right.Rev: LEG I ADI VI P VI F. Capricorn right.MIR 982r; RIC 315. Condition: Very fine.Weight: 3.53 g. Diameter: 23 mm.

Lot # 688 - GALLIENUS (253-268). Antoninianus. Rome. Obv: IMP GALLIENVS AVG. Radiate head right.Rev: APOLLINI CONS AVG / Δ. Griffin walking left.MIR 718z; RIC 165. Condition: Uncirculated.Weight: 2.83 g. Diameter: 21 mm.

Lot # 687 - GALLIENUS (253-268). Antoninianus. Rome. Obv: GALLIENVS AVG. Radiate head right.Rev: FORTVNA REDVX / ϛ. Fortuna standing left, holding cornucopia and rudder set on globe.MIR 586a; RIC 193 var. (ϛ in exergue). Condition: Uncirculated.Weight: 2.95 g. Diameter: 20 mm.

Lot # 686 - GALLIENUS (253-268). Sestertius. Rome. Obv: IMP GALLIENVS P F AVG. Laureate and cuirassed bust right.Rev: VOTIS / DECENNA / LIBVS / S C. Legend in four lines within wreath.MIR 534w; RIC 406. Condition: Good very fine.Weight: 18.68 g. Diameter: 26 mm.

Lot # 685 - VALERIAN I (253-260). Antoninianus. Samosata. Obv: IMP C P LIC VALERIANVS AVG. Radiate, draped and cuirassed bust right.Rev: VIRTVS AVGG. Emperors standing vis-à-vis, the left one holding globe and spear, the right one holding Victory and spear.MIR 1681e; RIC 292. Condition: Very fine.Weight: 4.01 g. Diameter: 23 mm.

Lot # 684 - VALERIAN I (253-260). Antoninianus. Samosata. Obv: IMP C P LIC VALERIANVS AVG. Radiate, draped and cuirassed bust right.Rev: RESTITVT ORIENTIS. Oriens standing right, presenting wreath to emperor standing left, holding sceptre.MIR 1677e; RIC 286.Ex Hauck Aufhäuser (2002) with ticket Condition: Uncirculated.Weight: 3.61 g. Diameter: 23 mm.

Lot # 683 - VALERIAN I (253-260). Antoninianus. Mediolanum. Obv: IMP VALERIANVS AVG. Radiate and draped bust right.Rev: FORTVNA REDVX. Fortuna standing left, holding rudder set on globe and cornucopia.MIR 918a; RIC 91 (Rome). Condition: Very fine.Weight: 3.76 g. Diameter: 23 mm.

Lot # 682 - VALERIAN I (253-260). Sestertius. Rome. Obv: IMP C P LIC VALERIANVS P F AVG. Laureate and cuirassed bust right.Rev: VICTORIA AVGG / S - C. Victory standing left, holding wreath and palm.MIR 76h; RIC 178. Condition: Very fine.Weight: 17.7 g. Diameter: 30 mm.

Lot # 681 - VALERIAN I (253-260). As. Rome. Obv: IMP C P LIC VALERIANVS AVG. Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust right.Rev: VIRTVS AVGG / S - C. Virtus standing left, holding spear and resting hand on shield.MIR 38m; RIC 204.Rare Condition: Very fine; Minor edge faults.Weight: 6.74 g. Diameter: 21 mm.

Lot # 680 - AEMILIAN (253). Antoninianus. Rome. Obv: IMP AEMILIANVS PIVS FEL AVG. Radiate, draped and cuirassed bust right.Rev: ROMAE AETERN. Roma standing left, holding sceptre and phoenix on globe; shield set on ground to right.RIC 9. Condition: Very fine.Weight: 4.41 g. Diameter: 22 mm.

Lot # 679 - VOLUSIAN (251-253). Antoninianus. Rome. Obv: IMP CAE C VIB VOLVSIANO AVG. Radiate, draped and cuirassed bust right.Rev: VIRTVS AVGG. Virtus standing left, holding spear and resting hand upon shield.RIC 186. Condition: Near extremely fine.Weight: 2.9 g. Diameter: 23 mm.

Lot # 678 - VOLUSIAN (251-253). Antoninianus. Rome. Obv: IMP CAE C VIB VOLVSIANO AVG. Radiate, draped and cuirassed bust right.Rev: PRINCIPI IVVENTVTIS. Prince standing left, holding baton and spear.RIC 183. Condition: Very fine.Weight: 3.50 g. Diameter: 22 mm.

Lot # 677 - TREBONIANUS GALLUS (251-253). Sestertius. Rome. Obv: IMP CAES C VIBIVS TREBONIANVS GALLVS AVG. Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust right.Rev: APOLL SALVTARI / S - C. Apollo standing left, holding branch and leaning on lyre.RIC 103. Condition: Very fine.Weight: 18.48 g. Diameter: 31 mm.

Lot # 676 - TREBONIANUS GALLUS (251-253). Antoninianus. Rome. Obv: IMP CAE C VIB TREB GALLVS AVG. Radiate, draped and cuirassed bust right.Rev: FELICITAS PVBLICA. Felicitas standing left, holding caduceus and transverse sceptre, leaning on column.RIC 34A corr. (holding sceptre, not cornucopiae). Condition: Near extremely fine.Weight: 3.72 g. Diameter: 23 mm.

Lot # 675 - HOSTILIAN (251). Antoninianus. Rome. Obv: IMP CAE C VAL HOS MES QVINTVS AVG. Radiate, draped and cuirassed bust right.Rev: SECVRITAS AVGG. Securitas standing facing, with head right and legs crossed, extending hand over head and leaning upon column to right.RIC 191a (Decius). Condition: Very fine.Weight: 4.51 g. Diameter: 22 mm.

Lot # 674 - HOSTILIAN (Caesar, 250-251). Antoninianus. Rome. Obv: C VALENS HOSTIL MES QVINTVS N C. Radiate and draped bust right.Rev: PRINCIPI IVVENTVTIS. Emperor standing facing, head left, holding signum and reversed spear.RIC 181d (Decius). Condition: Uncirculated.Weight: 3.56 g. Diameter: 21 mm.

Lot # 673 - HOSTILIAN (Caesar, 250-251). Antoninianus. Rome. Obv: C VALENS HOSTIL MES QVINTVS N C. Radiate and draped bust right.Rev: MARTI PROPVGNATORI. Mars advancing right, holding spear and shield.RIC 177b (Decius). Condition: Good fine.Weight: 4 g. Diameter: 22 mm.

Lot # 672 - HOSTILIAN (Caesar, 250-251). Antoninianus. Rome. Obv: C VAL HOS MES QVINTVS N C. Radiate, draped and cuirassed bust right.Rev: MARS PROPVG. Mars advancing right, holding spear and shield.RIC 176a (Decius). Condition: Near extremely fine.Weight: 3.32 g. Diameter: 21 mm.

Lot # 671 - HERENNIUS ETRUSCUS (Caesar, 249-251). Antoninianus. Rome. Obv: Q HER ETR MES DECIVS NOB C. Radiate and draped bust right.Rev: PRINCIPI IVVENTVTIS. Herennius Etruscus standing left, holding baton and transverse spear.RIC 147c (Decius). Condition: Very fine.Weight: 4.26 g. Diameter: 22 mm.

Lot # 670 - TRAJANUS DECIUS (249-251). Semis. Rome. Obv: IMP C M Q TRAIANVS DECIVS AVG. Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust right.Rev: S - C. Mars standing left, holding spear and resting hand upon shield.RIC 128. Condition: Very fine.Weight: 3.77 g. Diameter: 18 mm.

Lot # 669 - TRAJANUS DECIUS (249-251). Sestertius. Rome. Obv: IMP C M Q TRAIANVS DECIVS AVG. Laureate and cuirassed bust right, with drapery on left shoulder.Rev: GENIVS EXERC ILLVRICIANI / S - C. Genius standing left, holding patera and cornucopia; signum to right.RIC 117a. Condition: Very fine.Weight: 20.19 g. Diameter: 31 mm.

Lot # 668 - TRAJANUS DECIUS (249-251). Double Sestertius. Rome. Obv: IMP C M Q TRAIANVS DECIVS AVG. Radiate, draped and cuirassed bust right.Rev: FELICITAS SAECVLI / S - C. Felicitas standing left, holding caduceus and cornucopia.RIC 115c.RareEx Classical Numismatic Group 97 (2014), lot 712. The Double Sestertius, a large coin made of orichalcum, was first struck by Decius in response to the inflation of the time, which had devalued the purchasing power of the Sestertius. Decius was born in Pannonia near Sirmium, his mother descended from an ancient and noble Italic family. He had an excellent military career, becoming prefect of Rome and commander in Moesia and Pannonia, where he obtained an important victory against the Goths who threatened the Danube border. The soldiers acclaimed him emperor in 249, triggering the reaction of Philip I, who was defeated near Verona. The Senate welcomed him with great honors and gave him the name ‘Trajan’, perhaps in the hope that the emperor would be friendly and respectful towards Roman institutions. Decius did not betray the Senate's expectations and committed himself to safeguarding the traditions of the empire and strengthening it. He launched a heavy persecution of Christians, driven in part by the empire's difficult financial situation, with the aim of seizing their considerable assets. Decius' primary goal of reviving the ancient glories of Rome also led him to undertake important public works, such as repairing roads and defending the territories conquered by the first emperor Trajan. However, his plan to rebuild and restore the empire was stopped by a new attack from the Goths in 251, who had regrouped and were once again threatening the empire. The decisive battle took place near Abritus, close to the Black Sea, where Decius and his son Herennius, who had recently been named Caesar and Princeps Iuventutis, died. Despite the brevity of his reign, Trajan Decius minted a considerable amount of coins. Although he continued to strike the Sestertius in abundance and reintroduced the Semis, he continued the policy of significantly reducing the weight of all denominations. During his reign, the denarius was no longer minted, while the Antoninianus was now the most widely circulated coin but no longer had the characteristics of a silver coin of good quality. Roman coinage increasingly consolidated its fiduciary character, no longer linked to the value of the metal it contained. Condition: Near extremely fine.Weight: 45.47 g. Diameter: 37 mm.

Lot # 667 - TRAJANUS DECIUS (249-251). Consecration issue for DIVUS SEVERUS ALEXANDER (Died 235). Antoninianus. Rome. Obv: DIVO ALEXANDRO. Radiate bust right, slight drapery on far shoulder.Rev: CONSECRATIO. Lighted altar.RIC 98 (Decius). Condition: Good very fine.Weight: 3.76 g. Diameter: 22 mm.

Lot # 666 - TRAJANUS DECIUS (249-251). Consecration issue for DIVUS ANTONINUS PIUS (Died 161). Antoninianus. Rome. Obv: DIVO PIO. Radiate head right.Rev: CONSECRATIO. Lighted altar.RIC 90 (Decius). Condition: Very fine.Weight: 3.61 g. Diameter: 23 mm.

Lot # 665 - PHILIP II (247-249). Antoninianus. Antioch. Obv: IMP M IVL PHILIPPVS AVG. Radiate, draped and cuirassed bust right.Rev: AEQVITAS AVGG. Aequitas standing left, holding scales and cornucopia.RIC 240a; Bland 65. Condition: Near extremely fine.Weight: 4 g. Diameter: 23 mm.

Lot # 664 - PHILIP II (247-249). Antoninianus. Antioch. Obv: IMP M IVL PHILIPPVS AVG. Radiate, draped and cuirassed bust right.Rev: AEQVITAS AVGG. Aequitas standing left, holding scales and cornucopia.RIC 240a; Bland 65. Condition: Good very fine; attractive toning.Weight: 4.36 g. Diameter: 24 mm.

Lot # 663 - PHILIP I 'THE ARAB' (244–249). Sestertius. Rome. Obv: IMP M IVL PHILIPPVS AVG. Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust right.Rev: FIDES EXERCITVS / S C. Four standards.RIC 171a. Condition: Very fine.Weight: 17.3 g. Diameter: 28 mm.

Lot # 662 - PHILIP I 'THE ARAB' (244-249). Sestertius. Rome. Obv: IMP M IVL PHILIPPVS AVG. Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust right.Rev: SAECVLVM NOVVM / S C. Octastyle temple with statue of Roma seated facing in centre; statues as acroteria.RIC 164.Ex Dr. Busso Peus 406 (2012), lot 389; ex Artemide Aste XXXIX (2013), lot 235; ex Nomisma 47 (2013), lot 233 Condition: Extremely fine.Weight: 17.08 g. Diameter: 28 mm.

Lot # 661 - PHILIP I 'THE ARAB' (244-249). Sestertius. Rome. Obv: IMP M IVL PHILIPPVS AVG. Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust right.Rev: P M TR P III COS P P / S - C. Felicitas standing left, holding caduceus and cornucopia.RIC 149a corr. (COS not COS II). Condition: Good very fine.Weight: 16.52 g. Diameter: 26 mm.

Lot # 660 - PHILIP I 'THE ARAB' (244-249). Antoninianus. Antioch. Obv: IMP M IVL PHILIPPVS AVG. Radiate and cuirassed bust left.Rev: ADVENTVS AVGG. Philip riding horse left, raising hand and holding sceptre.RIC 81; Bland 13.Rare Condition: Near extremely fine.Weight: 3.67 g. Diameter: 21 mm.

Lot # 659 - PHILIP I 'THE ARAB' (244-249). Antoninianus. Antioch. Obv: IMP M IVL PHILIPPVS AVG. Radiate, draped and cuirassed bust right.Rev: P M TR P VI COS P P. Felicitas standing left, holding long caduceus and cornucopia.RIC 78; Bland 36. Condition: Uncirculated.Weight: 3.91 g. Diameter: 23 mm.