| Heritage World Coin Auctions > NYINC Signature Sale 3113 | Auction date: 8 January 2024 |
| Lot number: 31061 Price realized: 15,500 USD (Approx. 14,130 EUR) Note: Prices do not include buyer's fees. | |
| Lot description: Ancients Gallienus, Joint Reign (AD 253-268). AV aureus (21mm, 3.31 gm, 12h). NGC MS 4/5 - 3/5, edge bend. Samosata, AD 255-256. IMP C P LIC GALLIENVS AVG, laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust of Galerius right, seen from behind / VICTORIAE / AVGG, Victory driving galloping biga right, whip in raised right hand, reins in left. Calicó -. RIC V.I -, cf. 276 (Valerian I). A simply spectacular coin in hand and the companion issue to the previous lot. Publius Licinius Egnatius Gallienus ruled as Augustus from AD 253-268. Hailing from a distinguished Etruscan family, he jointly ruled with his father, Valerian I from AD 253-260, with Valerian I and Saloninus in AD 260 and solely from AD 260-268. Gallienus' 15 year rule was a series of battles. Valerian I headed off to Asia Minor to work on the Eastern Empire, while Gallienus was left to work on issues in the European parts. Father and son would never see each other again as Valerian I would be captured by Shapur I of the Sasanian Empire in AD 260. Gallienus first struggled against the Germans on the Rhine and Danube, resulting in the acquisition of the title Germanicus Maximus five times from AD 255-258. Valerian II, holding the rank of Caesar, died at some time in AD 258, either from natural causes or in one of the Danubian battles. Gallienus decided to abandon that campaign in order to concentrate on an invasion staged by the Juthungi (Alemanni) in the Rhine area. The invasion met opposition with Gallienus near Milan and was sorely defeated. Around this same time, Saloninus was named Caesar and sent to Cologne to establish his authority there and begin looking after the Western Empire. Since Valerian I, while leading a plague infested army, was captured by Shapur I at Emesa in AD 260, the Eastern Empire was now in a state of flux. Assuming leadership was the praetorian prefect Callistus and the quartermaster-general Macrianus Senior. Seizing the opportunity for revolt, they proclaimed Macrianus Senior's two sons Quietus and Macrianus as emperors in Antioch. At the same time, the Franks were invading and reached as far south as Spain. Also, the governor of Lower Germany, Postumus, saw his opportunity and staged a revolt as well. Postumus took Cologne, executed Saloninus and his advisers, leaving the western provinces outside of the rule of the Roman Empire for 14 years. Revolts sprang up in Egypt (L. Mussius Aemilianus, Prefect of Egypt, not the Aemilianus who was emperor in AD 253), Pannonia and Moesia (Ingenuus) and Byzantium (in response to the raids of the Goths). All of these were quickly subdued, but another revolt arose again in Pannonia and Moesia by Regalianus. The usurpation by Regalianus was the only one resulting in coinage that is currently known. Gallienus, now devoid of offspring, gave the task of dealing with the revolt of Quietus and Macrinus to Aureolus, his general. Aureolus was used to dealing with revolts as he defeated Ingenuus. Aureolus' commander, Domitianus, met Macrinus, Macrinus Senior and army in Illyricium. There are two coins currently known for Domitianus, so he apparently made a claim for the throne as well. Quietus remained in power until Odaenathus of Palmyra, working as vice regent for Gallienus, defeated him eight months later. Aureolus decided to stage his own revolt in AD 262, but came to terms with Gallienus and was given command of the new cavalry corps. Although we do not have coins with the name Aureolus, there are Milanese antoniniani of elegant style in the name of Postumus that are attributed to him. Having suppressed most of the revolts (Postumus was still ruling in the West), Gallienus returned to Rome in AD 263 to celebrate his decennalia. Since the dynamics of the Empire were changing so rapidly, some new policies were in order: Milan became the military hub due to the proximity to the Danube and Rhine regions and the ability to thwart invasions to Italy; a new field army and cavalry corps was created, which was under the command of Aureolus; and senators could no longer assume command posts. With the new policies in place, Gallienus and Aureolus headed off to battle Postumus. After some time, Postumus was trapped in a city, but Gallienus was injured by an arrow. Progress stopped and command was turned over to Aureolus. It is suspected Aureolus allowed Postumus to escape what should have been certain capture and execution. Gallienus was forced to give up the offensive and sent Aureolus to gather more troops and set up a defense in Milan. In AD 267, a massive invasion of Asia Minor was staged by the Goths and Heruli. This invasion was so effective, the armies were within sight of Italy before being turned back. Rhodes, Crete, Thrace, Macedon, Thessaly, and Central Greece were all pillaged in the process. Gallienus and Claudius II finally defeated the invaders at Naissus. While Gallienus was off in the Balkans working on the Goth and Heruli invasion, Aureolus seized the opportunity for yet another revolt. He defected to the side of Postumus, forcing Gallienus to give up the Gothic campaign and turn his attention again to the West. He arrived in Milan in September of AD 268, finding Aureolus had already been besieged by Claudius II. Gallienus assumed command of the siege to dispose of Aureolus himself. Within a couple of weeks of his arrival at Milan, Gallienus left his tent, unprotected, as there was news of a counter-attack by Aureolus, and was assassinated. Historians record that at the very least Claudius II was part of the conspiracy and may very well have murdered Gallienus himself. Co-conspirators were Heraclianus (who was sent to dispose of Vabalathus and Zenobia, but failed), Marcianus (who had helped in the Gothic campaign at Naissus) and Aurelianus, who became emperor himself two years later. With Gallienus dead, Claudius II paid off the soldiers, was proclaimed emperor, finished the siege of Milan, executed Aureolus, joined the senate and proceeded to massacre Gallienus' family and associates in Rome in spite for Gallienus' policy of disallowing senatorial command posts in the army. https://coins.ha.com/itm/ancients/roman-imperial/ancients-gallienus-joint-reign-ad-253-268-av-aureus-21mm-331-gm-12h-ngc-ms-4-5-3-5-edge-bend/a/3113-31061.s?type=DA-DMC-CoinArchives-WorldCoins-3113-01082024 HID02906262019 © 2023 Heritage Auctions | All Rights Reserved Estimate: 15000-20000 USD |  |
Match 1:
| Heritage World Coin Auctions > NYINC Signature Sale 3113 | Auction date: 8 January 2024 |
| Lot number: 31063 Price realized: 13,000 USD (Approx. 11,851 EUR) Note: Prices do not include buyer's fees. | |
| Lot description: Ancients Diocletian (AD 284-305). AV aureus (21mm, 5.71 gm, 12h). NGC MS 5/5 - 3/5. Siscia, AD 286-289. IMP C DIOCLETIANVS P F AVG, laureate, mantled bust of Diocletian left, seen from front, eagle-tipped scepter in right hand / MARTI PROPVG-NATORI, Mars advancing right, in military attire, transverse spear in right hand, shield on left arm. Calicó 4546 (same dies). RIC V.II 250. Exceptionally sharp and firmly struck into the marigold surfaces. From The Bob Klein History of Money Collection. Ex Heritage Auctions, Auction 3061 (8 January 2018), lot 32110. Although he reached the Roman throne via the path of coup and civil war, Diocletian turned out to be a far-sighted statesman of rare ability. Achieving undisputed power in AD 285, he came in with a detailed blueprint for Roman revival. Recognizing the task of governing the Empire had grown too great for one man, he divided supreme power with three old military colleagues and devised a formula for renewing this "Tetrarchy" every 20 years. The arrangement worked surprisingly well and by AD 300 the ceaseless revolts and civil wars that had nearly destroyed the Roman Empire over the latter third century had stopped, allowing Roman economic life to slowly and painfully recover. This spectacular aureus depicts Diocletian in the robes of a Roman Consul; despite his innovations, it is important to remember his reformist agenda was intended not to create a "new world order," but to restore the old Roman institutions, including the venerable titles of the Republic, the forms of which he strictly observed. https://coins.ha.com/itm/ancients/roman-imperial/ancients-diocletian-ad-284-305-av-aureus-21mm-571-gm-12h-ngc-ms-5-5-3-5/a/3113-31063.s?type=DA-DMC-CoinArchives-WorldCoins-3113-01082024 HID02906262019 © 2023 Heritage Auctions | All Rights Reserved Estimate: 10000-15000 USD |  |
Match 2:
| Heritage World Coin Auctions > CSNS Signature Sale 3115 | Auction date: 8 May 2024 |
| Lot number: 31088 Price realized: 20,000 USD (Approx. 18,606 EUR) Note: Prices do not include buyer's fees. | |
| Lot description: Ancients Commodus, as Augustus (AD 177-192). AV aureus (21mm, 7.23 gm, 6h). NGC MS 5/5 - 4/5. Rome, AD 178. L•AVREL•COM-MODVS AVG, laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust of the youthful, beardless Commodus right, seen from behind / TR P III•IMP II COS•P•P, Castor standing facing, head left, nude but for chlamys and pileus, with bridle in right hand, grounded reversed spear in left arm; horse standing left behind, left foreleg raised. Calicó 2337a (same reverse die). RIC III (Marcus Aurelius) 648. This coin boasts bold centered strike with high relief, mountainous features and toned, lustrous surfaces. Ex Nomos, Auction 1 (6 May 2009), lot 154; UBS, Auction 78 (9 September 2008), lot 1709. Commodus, the last emperor of the Antonine Dynasty, is seen here at the age of 17 or 18. The reverse announces his Tribunician Power for the third time, the title of Imperator (victorious general) for the second time, the office of Consul, and the honorific Pater Patriae ("father of the fatherland"), all rather heady stuff for a youth who would normally just be making his first steps on the cursus honorum ("course of honor"). The hurried assignment of high office to Commodus surely reflects the desire of his father, Marcus Aurelius, to ensure a secure, stable succession in the wake of the abortive rebellion by Avidius Cassius in AD 176, which was predicated on the belief that Marcus was gravely ill and Commodus too young, or entirely unsuited, for office. https://coins.ha.com/itm/ancients/roman-imperial/ancients-commodus-as-augustus-ad-177-192-av-aureus-21mm-723-gm-6h-ngc-ms-5-5-4-5/a/3115-31088.s?type=DA-DMC-CoinArchives-WorldCoins-3115-05082024 HID02906262019 © 2024 Heritage Auctions | All Rights Reserved Estimate: 20000-25000 USD |  |
Match 3:
| Heritage World Coin Auctions > NYINC Signature Sale 3114 | Auction date: 16 January 2024 |
| Lot number: 33264 Price realized: 2,600 USD (Approx. 2,388 EUR) Note: Prices do not include buyer's fees. | |
| Lot description: Ancients Gordian III, as Augustus (AD 238-244). AV aureus (21mm, 5.00 gm, 12h). NGC XF 4/5 - 2/5, scuffs, edge filing. Rome, AD 238-239. IMP CAES M ANT GORDIANVS AVG, laureated, draped, and cuirassed bust of Gordian III right, seen from back / P M T-R P II COS P P, Pax standing facing, head left, laurel branch in raised right hand, transverse scepter in left. Calicó 3215. RIC IV.III 22. Vibrant honey surfaces with bold remnant detailing. From the Dynasty Collection, #V. https://coins.ha.com/itm/ancients/roman-imperial/ancients-gordian-iii-as-augustus-ad-238-244-av-aureus-21mm-500-gm-12h-ngc-xf-4-5-2-5-scuffs-edge-filing/a/3114-33264.s?type=DA-DMC-CoinArchives-WorldCoins-3114-01162024 HID02906262019 © 2023 Heritage Auctions | All Rights Reserved |  |
Match 4:
| Heritage World Coin Auctions > NYINC Signature Sale 3113 | Auction date: 8 January 2024 |
| Lot number: 31059 Price realized: 7,750 USD (Approx. 7,065 EUR) Note: Prices do not include buyer's fees. | |
| Lot description: Ancients Gordian III (AD 238-244). AV aureus (21mm, 5.43 gm, 5h). NGC MS★ 5/5 - 4/5. Rome, ca. AD 241-243. IMP GORDIANVS PIVS FEL AVG, laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust of Gordian III right, seen from behind / AETERNITATI AVG, Sol standing facing, radiate head left, nude but for chlamys across left shoulder, leaning with weight on right leg, right hand raised, globe in outstretched left hand. Calicó 3186a. RIC IV.III 97. Exceptionally sharp, struck from fresh dies onto glittering gold surfaces. From The Bob Klein History of Money Collection. Ex Jonathan K. Kern Collection. https://coins.ha.com/itm/ancients/roman-imperial/ancients-gordian-iii-ad-238-244-av-aureus-21mm-543-gm-5h-ngc-msand-9733-5-5-4-5/a/3113-31059.s?type=DA-DMC-CoinArchives-WorldCoins-3113-01082024 HID02906262019 © 2023 Heritage Auctions | All Rights Reserved Estimate: 8000-10000 USD |  |
Match 5:
| Heritage World Coin Auctions > NYINC Signature Sale 3113 | Auction date: 8 January 2024 |
| Lot number: 31060 Price realized: 30,000 USD (Approx. 27,348 EUR) Note: Prices do not include buyer's fees. | |
| Lot description: Ancients Valerian I (AD 253-260). AV aureus (20mm, 3.18 gm, 11h). NGC MS★ 5/5 - 4/5. Samosata(?), AD 255-256. IMP C P LIC VALERIANVS AVG, laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust of Valerian right, seen from front / VICTORIAE / AVGG, Victory driving galloping biga right, whip in raised right hand, reins in left. Calicó 3449a (Antioch). RIC V.I -, cf. 276 (bust type, Antioch). An exceedingly rare type, this piece dazzles the eyes with radiant luster while elegantly presented on a sun-kissed flan. The sole Mint State certified Valerian aureus with a star for eye appeal through NGC. Valerian I was the first emperor to be taken captive by an enemy power, which occurred during a campaign against the Sassanian Empire. Valerian attempted to halt the ongoing crisis of the Third Century, which was marked by frequent invasions, usurpations, and plague. However, his efforts were largely unsuccessful. Valerian's capture by Shapur I the Great and eventual death in captivity was a humiliating blow to Rome. https://coins.ha.com/itm/ancients/roman-imperial/ancients-valerian-i-ad-253-260-av-aureus-20mm-318-gm-11h-ngc-msand-9733-5-5-4-5/a/3113-31060.s?type=DA-DMC-CoinArchives-WorldCoins-3113-01082024 HID02906262019 © 2023 Heritage Auctions | All Rights Reserved Estimate: 15000-20000 USD |  |
