Numismatica Ars Classica
Auction 138 18-19 May 2023
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Numerianus augustus, 283 – 284.
Aureus 284, AV 6.07 g. IMP NVMERIANVS P F AVG Laureate and cuirassed bust r., with drapery on l. shoulder. Rev. VENE – RI VICTRICI Venus standing facing, head l., holding Victory and apple. C 93. RIC Carus 405e. Calicó 4319 (these dies).
Very rare. A very attractive portrait struck on a full flan. Several edge marks and
traces of filing, otherwise extremely fine
Ex Tkalec sale 28 February 2007, Bolla, 87.
When Numerian's father Carus died under mysterious circumstances near the river Tigris, the great offensive father and son had been leading against the Sasanians ground to a halt. Ancient sources tell us Carus died from a lightning strike, but modern historians are sceptical: most believe he was murdered by his prefect Aper. Until that point the campaign had been a great success, as father and son had not only defeated the Quadi and Sarmatians on their eastward trek, but in 283 they had sacked Ctesiphon. The 30-year-old Numerian might have been competent, but he was now in an awkward position, surrounded by ambitious subordinates and an army paralyzed by superstition. Whether he was startled by his father's mysterious death, uncomfortable with supreme authority, or if he wisely reacted to a change in military circumstances, Numerian made a quick and unfavourable peace with the Persian king Varhan II and led the bulk of his army on a westward retreat. On that arduous journey to meet his brother, Carinus, who was ruling in the West, Numerian died – again under mysterious circumstances. This is a familiar tale of the late third century, and it is only of historical interest because one of his commanders Diocles, better known as Diocletian, was elected emperor in his place. As a consequence the Roman world was to be completely reordered and stabilised, ushering in the foundations of the social and political institutions of the Dark Ages and the Mediaeval world.
Aureus 284, AV 6.07 g. IMP NVMERIANVS P F AVG Laureate and cuirassed bust r., with drapery on l. shoulder. Rev. VENE – RI VICTRICI Venus standing facing, head l., holding Victory and apple. C 93. RIC Carus 405e. Calicó 4319 (these dies).
Very rare. A very attractive portrait struck on a full flan. Several edge marks and
traces of filing, otherwise extremely fine
Ex Tkalec sale 28 February 2007, Bolla, 87.
When Numerian's father Carus died under mysterious circumstances near the river Tigris, the great offensive father and son had been leading against the Sasanians ground to a halt. Ancient sources tell us Carus died from a lightning strike, but modern historians are sceptical: most believe he was murdered by his prefect Aper. Until that point the campaign had been a great success, as father and son had not only defeated the Quadi and Sarmatians on their eastward trek, but in 283 they had sacked Ctesiphon. The 30-year-old Numerian might have been competent, but he was now in an awkward position, surrounded by ambitious subordinates and an army paralyzed by superstition. Whether he was startled by his father's mysterious death, uncomfortable with supreme authority, or if he wisely reacted to a change in military circumstances, Numerian made a quick and unfavourable peace with the Persian king Varhan II and led the bulk of his army on a westward retreat. On that arduous journey to meet his brother, Carinus, who was ruling in the West, Numerian died – again under mysterious circumstances. This is a familiar tale of the late third century, and it is only of historical interest because one of his commanders Diocles, better known as Diocletian, was elected emperor in his place. As a consequence the Roman world was to be completely reordered and stabilised, ushering in the foundations of the social and political institutions of the Dark Ages and the Mediaeval world.