Classical Numismatic Group, LLC
Electronic Auction 442 17 Apr 2019
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Valerian II. Caesar, AD 256-258. Antoninianus (21.5mm, 2.85 g, 5h). Antioch mint. Issue 4 or 5, AD 256-258. P LIC COR VALERIANVS CAES, radiate and draped bust right / IOVI CRESCENTI, infant Jupiter riding on Amalthean goat to right. MIR 36, –; RIC V –; Cunetio –. Near VF, some silvering, thick layer of find patina.
Bought from Baldwin's, 1988.
This is a very puzzling coin. This reverse is not otherwise known to have been used at the Antioch mint, and it would be easy just to write this coin off as an ancient forgery, combining obverse and reverse types from different mints; the partially damaged silver wash on the surface might be seen to support this. However, the coin appears to have been struck, not cast, and from official dies. The fabric has not been analysed, however. It is difficult to imagine how forgers could have acquired an obverse die from Antioch and a reverse die from Cologne in order to strike counterfeit coins, and the possibility therefore remains that this is a genuine Antioch mint striking. It was discussed alongside other aspects of this coinage by Holmes 2017b.
Bought from Baldwin's, 1988.
This is a very puzzling coin. This reverse is not otherwise known to have been used at the Antioch mint, and it would be easy just to write this coin off as an ancient forgery, combining obverse and reverse types from different mints; the partially damaged silver wash on the surface might be seen to support this. However, the coin appears to have been struck, not cast, and from official dies. The fabric has not been analysed, however. It is difficult to imagine how forgers could have acquired an obverse die from Antioch and a reverse die from Cologne in order to strike counterfeit coins, and the possibility therefore remains that this is a genuine Antioch mint striking. It was discussed alongside other aspects of this coinage by Holmes 2017b.