Coin Information: Tantalus S/N 34096
Image Rights: All Rights Reserved
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| This item has been viewed 155 times. | |
| Coin type: | Roman Provincial |
| Entered by: | scottatlaw |
| Added on: | Jan 26, 2009 |
| Ruler: | Hostilian (CAESAR) |
| Region, City: | Moesia Superior, Viminacium |
| Coin: | VF- AE Sestertius IMPCVATHOSTMQVIHTVSAVG - Laurel crowned, cuirassed bust right (viewed from rear). PMSC-OLVIM - Moesia standing (arms extended with palla hanging) between advancing Bull and Lion. |
| Exergue: | ANXII |
| Mint: | (Year 12) |
| Wt./Size/Axis: | 10.71g / 25.75mm / - |
| Rarity: | R.6+ |
| References: |
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| Acquisition/Sale: | Markus Gruß aka thymius www.ebay.com |
| Notes: | Feb 13, 09 - The image is provided courtesy of Markus Gruß.
Unlisted variant of Varbanov # 196. Unlisted Variant of Boric-Brescovic # 1367 - 1372. Not listed in SNG Germany. I'm using the seller's image because my scans wash out all detail on this coin's face. The problem with the seller's image is that the glare from the light on the right realy washes out the insane amount of detail that is still there on this coin. I'm not realy complaining about the seller's photo though becasue if you light the coin from the left it would wash out all the left sides' detail. If you realy want an idea of how detailed this coin realy is, check out the details on the cuirass and on the head above the laurel crown. You can also check out the level of detail in the reverse design (note the beading on the border). In hand this coin is simply a stunner. The level of detail and preservation paired with the advanced skill of the celator results in a truly amazing coin. This is especialy remarkable because most Viminacium coins of Hostilian as Augustus have not survived in particularly good condition. What matters most to me about this coin is that it is an example of work from the person or persons I refer to as the Master Celator of Viminacium. Begining in year 12, and continuing until year 16, there was a celator(s) that produced dies of distinctly higher quality then the majority of thier contemporaries. These coins tend to be quite rare and are all the more desirable because they demonstrate a truly high level of skill and artistic merit (the highest from this mint). Other tiny details such as font size and lack of obvious errors also set these coins apart. One final item worth noting is that these coins typicaly tend to be struck on slightly larger flans and are usualy very well centered and struck. This advanced degree of skill in producing the dies and striking the coins is quite notable. My hypothesis would be that these given coins are the product of masters or teachers of the Viminacium mint and the coins produced were likely used as samples and/or higher quality "first day issue" coins for celebration or holliday purposes. I am aware of the following "master celator" coins: Decius Year 12 (I own one, but haven't posted it yet) Hostilian Year 12 (this very coin) Gallus Year 12 (my coin is here: http://www.tantaluscoins.com/coins/25697.php ) Aemilian Year 14 (I own one, but haven't posted it yet) Valerian I Year 14 (I've seen them for sale rarely and in some texts.) Valerian I Year 16 (I've seen one or two for sale and in some texts.) Gallienus Year 16 (I've never seen one for sale, but I've seen one in Boric-Brescovic's text.) Beyond that list I suspect that there is probably a year 12 for Volusian, and it is possible that one might exist for Etruscilla, and Marinianae, although I find that unlikely. Before anybody chimes in with the obvious theory of tooling or fakery, I can confidently say that these coins are authentic and original. These master celator coins are beyond doubt the pinnicle of numismatic art from Viminacium during the last 4 years of the mint's life. |
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| Comments: | No comments have been posted for this coin.Comments are not being accepted for this coin. |
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