Leu Numismatik AG
Web Auction 2 3 Dec 2017
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PAPHLAGONIA. Sinope. Valerian I, 253-260. AE (Bronze, 24 mm, 9.02 g, 3 h), CE 329 = 258/9 (?). IMP VALER[IANVS ...] Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust of Valerian I to right. Rev. [C I F S ANN] CCXXV[IIII] Bearded facing archaic head of Dionysos, wearing cap. RG p. 209, 165. Cf. SNG Paris 661 (same obverse die, but with a differing reverse type and misattributed to Gallienus). Extremely rare. Corrosion pits, otherwise, about very fine.
The late bronzes of Sinope are almost always poorly produced and of crude style, thus making them hard to read. On this coin, the date starts with CCXX, followed by what might be a V, and a possible additional IIII on the left side of Dionysos' beard. The fact that the coin was struck from the same obverse die as SNG Paris 661 with a clear (though retrograde) date of XXVIIII, supports this reading.
The late bronzes of Sinope are almost always poorly produced and of crude style, thus making them hard to read. On this coin, the date starts with CCXX, followed by what might be a V, and a possible additional IIII on the left side of Dionysos' beard. The fact that the coin was struck from the same obverse die as SNG Paris 661 with a clear (though retrograde) date of XXVIIII, supports this reading.