Coin Information: Tantalus S/N 31673
Image Rights: All Rights Reserved
| This item has been viewed 423 times. | |
| Coin type: | Roman Provincial |
| Entered by: | scottatlaw |
| Added on: | Jul 21, 2008 |
| Ruler: | Aemilian (AUGUSTUS) |
| Region, City: | Moesia Superior, Viminacium |
| Coin: | VF- AE Sestertius IMPCMAEMILAEMILIANVSAG - Laurelate, cuirassed bust right (viewed from rear). PMSC-OLVIM - Moesia standing (holding branch aloft to the left and bearing a transverse scepter) between advancing bull & lion. |
| Exergue: | ANXIV |
| Mint: | (Year 14) |
| Wt./Size/Axis: | 14.02g / 27.5mm / - |
| Rarity: | R.9 |
| References: |
|
| Acquisition/Sale: | Goran Petrusic www.ebay.com 06-29-2008 |
| Notes: | Jul 22, 08 - Unlisted in Jekov, Pick, Varbanov, Moushmov, Boric-Brescovic, and SNG Germany.
If the scan alone was to be believed, this coin must be one of the best looking examples of this already rare reverse type for Aemilian. Strangely enough, I actualy think the coin looks slightly better in the scan then it does in hand (thanks largely to the fact that the scan washes out some minor ancient wear and tear). The only known specimen that looks better is documented here: http://www.coinarchives.com/a/lotviewer.php?LotID=75893&AucID=80&Lot=1006 The only other specimens (of this general type) I've located images of (1 in Martin / SNG Slovenia, 1 in SNG Hungary) are of a notably lower grade, so much so that a 100% accurate attribution is questionable. Martin actualy cites this coin as showing Aemilian having a paludamentum draped over his cuirass, but as this (and the above linked coin show) no paludamentum exists in the portrait. My guess is that Martin's error is the product of studying the lower grade specimens in Kesec's private collection and SNG Hungary's. Both specimens appear to me to be inconclusive about the presence of a paludamentum. Technicaly, that means this coin is an unlisted variant of Martin 6.02, however, I believe that Martin's attribution for 6.02.01 is in error and is actualy the same coin as mine and the specimen sold by CNG. On the other hand, if we assume Martin's cite is correct, then mine and the CNG coin are the only two known specimens for this exact variant. As far as rarity goes, this coin is therefore 1 of 2 to 5 known specimens (depending on how picky you want to be about the variants and wether or not Martin was mistaken). There is some open debate about what Moesia is actualy holding. Some believe that Moesia is not holding a branch, but rather a torch. Compare this design to Decius' so called "Pax Aeternae" type Dupondii (year 11). I believe that this coin is certainly an emulation of that design and therefore Moesia must be holding a branch and not a torch. Fortunately, I picked this coin up on ebay and so I didn't pay quite as much as the CNG winner did (despite the state of the weakened dollar). Today the CNG coin would likely sell (at auction) for anywhere from $750 to $1200 I estimate. I'd probably ball park my coin on CNG to pull down $500 to $750. But then again, I might be a bit conservative seeing as this is the first specimen sold in over 4 years. Over the past decade there have been more Viminacium Medallions sold then examples of this coin. Yikes! Who says there aren't bargains to be found on ebay!?! So what is the big deal about this coin you say? First off, there is the inflated value of Aemilian's coins based on the flawed presumption that they are rare. As I've said before, they are not, however, they are often quite crudely produced (they were likely crisis/emergency issues) and poorly preserved so higher grade specimens like this are quite uncommon (maybe 1 every 6 to 9 months turns up). This artificial demand for Aemilan coins in general makes buying higher grade examples quite difficult. To make matters more interesting, this coin is one of the uber rare variant reverses struck during year 14 (the other is simply Moesia holding up a branch). That means that besides drawing in your casual buyers and garnering greater overall attention, you also have the problem that the specialists looking to fill in a very rare coin in there album will be gunning for this puppy as well (and they have had 4 years to save up). This coin's reverse type is clearly a rehash of the exact same reverse type shown on this coin of Trajan Decius: http://www.tantaluscoins.com/coins/28093.php Interestingly, Decius' Sestertius coin in this series doesn't match the Aemilian Sestertius becuase there is a Victory figure atop the scepter on Decius' coin, as shown here: http://www.tantaluscoins.com/coins/30684.php The absence of Victory atop the scepter is only known for Decius' Dupondius types. All in all, I'm extremely exited about this coin, because it is a masterfull example of a true rarity. Not quite a once in a generation purchase but close. |
|
| |
| Comments: | No comments have been posted for this coin.Comments are not being accepted for this coin. |
|---|---|