Antoninianus of Postumus - 1966.64

Acquisition number: 1966.64

Other images

Rev.: Moneta (the Mint) with scales and a cornucopia

Obv.: Bust of Postumus r., radiate, draped, bearded. IMP(erator) C(aesar) POSTVMVS P(ius) F̣(elix.) AVG(ustus).

Rev.: Moneta standing draped l. with scales in her right hand and cornucopiae in her left. MONETA AVG(usti).

Title: Antoninianus of Postumus - 1966.64

Acquisition number: 1966.64

Author or editor: Beryl Rawson

Culture or period: Roman Imperial

Date: AD 262-265

Material: Metal - Copper-silver alloy

Object type: Coins - Roman

Dimensions: 25mm (w)

Origin region or location: Germany

Origin city: Cologne

Display case or on loan: 7

Keywords: Coin, antoninianus, Roman, Imperial, Postumus, Moneta, Gaul

Sear, D.R., Roman Coins and their Values 5 vols (London, Spink, 2000-2014) 10962; Seaby, H.A., Roman Silver Coins (London, B.A. Seaby, 1967) IV 199.

1966.64

Antoninianus of Postumus

3.508 g. AD 262-265

Obv.: Bust of Postumus r., radiate, draped, bearded. IMP(erator) C(aesar) POSTVMVS P(ius) F̣(elix.) AVG(ustus).

Rev.: Moneta standing draped l. with scales in her right hand and cornucopiae in her left. MONETA AVG(usti).

The Roman commander in Gaul, Postumus, led a revolt in AD 259 and established himself as emperor in Gaul until he was murdered by his troops in 268. This coin was probably struck at his mint in Cologne (or perhaps Lugdunum).

Moneta was originally a surname of Juno, but because the temple of Juno Moneta at Rome was for some time the mint of Rome, moneta came to mean a mint. The right to issue coinage was an important imperial prerogative which Postumus is here claiming for himself. The scales and cornucopiae are to symbolise the abundance and accuracy of the imperial mint. The presence of the scales shows that the value of the coinage was still thought of in terms of its weight.

Sear, D.R., Roman Coins and their Values 5 vols (London, Spink, 2000-2014) 10962; Seaby, H.A., Roman Silver Coins (London, B.A. Seaby, 1967) IV 199.