Numismatica Ars Classica
Auction 125 23-24 Jun 2021
View prices realized
► Sale information
Find similar lots
Postumus, 260 – 269.
Aureus, Cologne circa 263-264 (?), AV 5.92 g. POSTVMVS PIVS AVG Laureate head r. Rev. DIANA LV – CI – FERA Diana advancing r., with bow and quiver on shoulder, holding lighted torch with both hands; at her r. side, dog r. C –. B. Schulte, Die Göldprägung der gallishen Kaiser von Postumus bis Tetricus, –. RIC –. Calicò –.
Apparently unique and unrecorded. An impressive portrait well struck in high relief
in the finest style of the period. Delightful reddish tone and good extremely fine
Ex NAC 25, 2003, 559 and NAC 31, 2005, 102 sales.
Like many gods and goddesses, Diana (Artemis) had numerous guises. One of her most popular was Lucifera, 'the bringer of light'. Diana is here shown advancing with her faithful hound at her feet; her bow and quiver are retired over her shoulder as she leads with her lighted torch. The other way in which Diana was commonly shown as Lucifera was wearing a lunar crescent headdress and holding a torch while driving a chariot drawn by two stags. In this latter case she is closely identified with moon-goddess Luna Lucifera, for Diana's brother Apollo was identified with the sun-god Sol. (Apollo was also honored by Postumus on his coinage.) On other coins Postumus honors Diana in her guise as Reduci – advancing, holding a bow and leading a stag, with an inscription dedicated "to the return of Diana". Postumus was brazen with his depictions of the gods on his coins, as he typically represented them as his protectors or companions. With Hercules – clearly Postumus' favorite god – he does not shy from making bold and direct comparisons between himself and the god, even to the point of assimilating himself with Hercules. Postumus' highly personal associations with the gods suggest he truly sought their assistance in protecting and strengthening his fragile empire.
Aureus, Cologne circa 263-264 (?), AV 5.92 g. POSTVMVS PIVS AVG Laureate head r. Rev. DIANA LV – CI – FERA Diana advancing r., with bow and quiver on shoulder, holding lighted torch with both hands; at her r. side, dog r. C –. B. Schulte, Die Göldprägung der gallishen Kaiser von Postumus bis Tetricus, –. RIC –. Calicò –.
Apparently unique and unrecorded. An impressive portrait well struck in high relief
in the finest style of the period. Delightful reddish tone and good extremely fine
Ex NAC 25, 2003, 559 and NAC 31, 2005, 102 sales.
Like many gods and goddesses, Diana (Artemis) had numerous guises. One of her most popular was Lucifera, 'the bringer of light'. Diana is here shown advancing with her faithful hound at her feet; her bow and quiver are retired over her shoulder as she leads with her lighted torch. The other way in which Diana was commonly shown as Lucifera was wearing a lunar crescent headdress and holding a torch while driving a chariot drawn by two stags. In this latter case she is closely identified with moon-goddess Luna Lucifera, for Diana's brother Apollo was identified with the sun-god Sol. (Apollo was also honored by Postumus on his coinage.) On other coins Postumus honors Diana in her guise as Reduci – advancing, holding a bow and leading a stag, with an inscription dedicated "to the return of Diana". Postumus was brazen with his depictions of the gods on his coins, as he typically represented them as his protectors or companions. With Hercules – clearly Postumus' favorite god – he does not shy from making bold and direct comparisons between himself and the god, even to the point of assimilating himself with Hercules. Postumus' highly personal associations with the gods suggest he truly sought their assistance in protecting and strengthening his fragile empire.