Tantalus - the ancient coin registry

Coin Information: Tantalus S/N 34097

Tantalus Coin Registry
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Coin type:Roman Provincial
Entered by:scottatlaw
Added on: Jan 26, 2009
Ruler: Trebonianus Gallus (AUGUSTUS)
Region, City:Moesia Superior, Viminacium
Coin:VG+ AE Sestertius
IMPCGAILVSPFELIXAVG - Laurelate, paludamentum draped over cuirass bust right (viewed from rear).
PMSC-OLVIM - Moesia standing (arms extended with palla hanging) between advancing bull & lion.
Exergue:ANXIII
Mint: (Year 13)
Wt./Size/Axis:10.30g / 26.5mm / -
Rarity:R. 3+ (R.8?)
References:
  • SNG Hungary # 536
  • Unlisted Variant of Moushmov # 56
  • Unlisted Variant of Boric-Brescovic # 1478-1523
  • Unlisted Variant of Pick # 165
  • Unlisted Variant of Martin # 5.12
Acquisition/Sale:David Hendin, d/b/a Amphora Coins www.ebay.com
Notes:Feb 13, 09 - This image is presented courtesy of David Hendin, Amphora Coins.

Unlisted variant of Jekov #83. Unlisted in Varbanov.

Oddly enough, this coin is only known in SNG Hungary. This coin is imaged, but not correctly cited in SNG Germany as # 216. All three coins' obverse dies appear to match.

I would guesstimate that the actual rarity is likely around R. 8 due to this error appearing on only one known obverse die.

As a part of my unending quest to present you the viewer with unpublished and noteworthy coins, I present you with Trebonianus Gailus, a heretofore unknown empress. Seriously though, check the obverse legend. It reads "GAILVS" instead of "GALLVS". A mildly amusing error.

Junior high humor aside, this is only the second example of this error I've ever seen, so of course I had to buy it. Tack on the lovely desert patina and the coin becomes a looker too.

I asked Mr. Hendin if he had any idea where this coin came from (along with my other coin from him with desert patina). The desert patina is very odd for a Viminacium coin becuase you normaly have these coins dug up from somewhere in eastern europe. Mr. Hendin didn't have any specific provenance for this coin except to say that he bought it from a supplier out of Isreal and that he suspected the supplier had gotten it from there. Modern day Isreal is indeed a strange place to find coins of ancient Viminacium. Ones imagination immediately runs wild with the prospect that this coin was carried to Isreal by a soldier formerly stationed in Viminacium (although its possible that it came back to Isreal in the pocket of a merchant).

Simply fascinating!

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