Silver Coins of Volusian

Rome Mint

Volusian as Caesar

RIC

Obverse/Reverse

Notes

Obverse Photo

Reverse Photo
131 C VIBIO VOLUSIANO CAES Bust radiate, draped, cuirassed  r.  
IVNONI MARTIALI  Juno seated front in round distyle temple w/peacock. 
RIC 132 is doubtful - Juno std. l, holding corn ears is a branch mint reverse
133 C VIBIO VOLUSIANO CAES Bust radiate, draped, cuirassed  r.  
PAX AVGG Pax stg. l., holding branch and transverse sceptre
134 C VIBIO VOLUSIANO CAES Bust radiate, draped, cuirassed  r.  
PRINCIPI IVVENTVTIS

Volusian stg. l., holding wand and spear
135 C VIBIO VOLUSIANO CAES Bust radiate, draped, cuirassed  r.

This coin was discovered in a batch of uncleaned coins by T. King who posted it on the FORVM Ancient Coin Discussion Board.  I had considered the type suspect.  It is listed in RIC based on Cohen 31.  Curtis Clay posted on FORVM (6/7 2011) that "Cohen's example references Elberling's publication of the unusual Roman imperial coins in his collection, Part 5, 1868, p. 142, pl. X, 213." and upon viewing the coin in hand that he thought "the Volusian Caesar is plated, so probably an ancient counterfeit rather than a mint product." and likely a counterfeit from the same dies as that quoted by Elberling.

This coin really belongs in my "Ancient Forgeries and Uncertain Mint" section, but I leave it here since it is assigned a regular number in RIC. The coin listed below is likely a similar ancient forgery.


 
FELIC PVBL
RIC 136 is doubtful - SECVRITAS AVG
137 C VIBIO VOLUSIANO CAES Bust radiate, draped, cuirassed  r.

RIC calls this a mule with the reverse of Philip but I don't believe that is the case - it is just a rare type that exists for both Gallus and Volusian.
ROMAE AETERNAE  Roma std. l., holding Victory and spear: beside her, shield

Volusian as Augustus

 

unlisted

Quinarius

 IMP C VOLVSIANVS AVG Bust laureate, draped, cuirassed  r. There is one other type of Volusian quinarius known with Felicitas reverse.
SALVS AVGG   Salus stg. r., feeding snake from patera

Volusian as Augustus - Dated Types

140  IMP CAE C VIB VOLUSIANO AVG Bust radiate, draped, cuirassed  r.  
PM TRP IIII COS II Genius of Senate stg. l., holding branch and transverse scepter.
140 var(?) IMP CAE C VIB VOLUSIANO AVG Bust radiate, draped, cuirassed  r. Missing the final I in 'COS II' but probably just the result of a clogged die.
PM TRP IIII COS II Genius of Senate stg. l., holding branch and transverse scepter.
141  IMP CAE C VIB VOLUSIANO AVG Bust radiate, draped, cuirassed  r.  
PM TRP IIII COS II Emperor  stg. l., sacrificing over lighted tripod and holding short sceptre

Volusian as Augustus - Undated Types

166 IMP CAE C VIB VOLUSIANO AVG Bust radiate, draped, cuirassed  r.  
AEQVITAS AVGG
unlisted IMP CAE C VIB VOLUSIANO AVG Bust radiate, draped, cuirassed  r. Reverse proper to Gallus

(Bottom coin  from Rupert Pflaum collection)
AETERNITAS AVGG  Aeternitias stg. l., holding phoenix on globe and raising skirt
unlisted IMP CAE C VIB VOLUSIANO AVG Bust radiate, draped, cuirassed  r. Reverse propper to Gallus.  I have seen this, and one other example.
ANNONA AVGG  Annona stg. r., holding rudder upright and holding corn ears, l. foot on prow.
188 IMP CAE C VIB VOLUSIANO AVG   Bust radiate, draped, cuirassed  r. Reverse proper to Gallus.  Very rare - I have seen a total of three examples in museums, collections and sales in the last 20 years (and have a spare to trade)
APOLL SALVTARI   Apollo stg. l., holding branch and leaning on lyre, set on rock.
167 IMP CAE C VIB VOLUSIANO AVG Bust radiate, draped, cuirassed  r.  
CONCORDIA AVGG
168 IMP CAE C VIB VOLUSIANO AVG Bust radiate, draped, cuirassed  r.  
CONCORDIA AVGG  Concordia std. l., holding patera and double cornucopiae
168 var

unlisted

 IMP CAE C VIB VOLUSIANO AVG Bust radiate, draped, cuirassed  r. Misspelled reverse legend.  Legend errors from the Rome Mint are extremely rare.
CONCORIA AVGG  Concordia std. l., holding patera and double cornucopiae
unlisted IMP CAE C VIB VOLUSIANO AVG Bust radiate, draped, cuirassed  r. Reverse type of Gallienus: RIC V-1 Milan 377
CONCOR MIL  Concordia std. l., holding patera and double cornucopiae
169 IMP CAE C VIB VOLUSIANO AVG Bust radiate, draped, cuirassed  r.  
CONCORDIA AVGG Concordia std. l., holding patera and double cornucopiae, star in r. field
     170          as above, but with altar at base of Concordia's chair:  Cohen listed this coin as common, but were none in the Dorchester, Cunetio, or Eauze hoards and Mattingly knew of no example.  This type is most likely does not exist and is an error of Cohen's.
unlisted IMP CAE C VIB VOLUSIANO AVG Bust radiate, draped, cuirassed  r. Reverse proper to Gallus
FELICITAS PVBLICA Felicitas stg. l., holding long caduceus and cornucopiae
unlisted IMP CAE C VIB VOLUSIANO AVG Bust radiate, draped, cuirassed  r. Reverse proper to Gallus
FELICITAS PVBLICA Felicitas stg. l., holding long caduceus and cornucopiae, star in r. field
188A IMP CAE C VIB VOLUSIANO AVG Bust radiate, draped, cuirassed  r. Reverse proper to Gallus
FELICITAS PVBLICA  Felicitas stg. l., leaning on column, holding cadaceus and transverse sceptre
171 IMP CAE C VIB VOLUSIANO AVG Bust radiate, draped, cuirassed  r.  
IVNONI MARTIALI  Juno seated front in round distyle temple w/peacock. 
172  IMP CAE C VIB VOLUSIANO AVG Bust radiate, draped, cuirassed  r. I am working a die study for the Juno Temple reverses.  If you have any pictures of coins (including Gallus and Hostilian) that I couldn't have found on the web, I would be grateful to be sent them.
IVNONI MARTIALI  Juno seated front in round distyle temple (no peacock). 
173 IMP CAE C VIB VOLUSIANO AVG Bust radiate, draped, cuirassed  r. Bottom coin available for sale/trade
IVNONI MARTIALI  Juno std front in rnd distyle temple w/peacock, star in r. field
174  IMP CAE C VIB VOLUSIANO AVG Bust radiate, draped, cuirassed  r. In a footnote RIC notes that "children" may actually be "indeterminate objects".  This type is very rare, (RIC R2) and and is the only one I've ever seen.
IVNONI MARTIALI  Juno seated front in round distyle temple, children r. and l. of goddess. 
175  IMP CAE C VIB VOLUSIANO AVG Bust radiate, draped, cuirassed  r. A rare version with four columns.  Juno pointing coin ears to right, no peacock.
IVNONI MARTIALI  Juno seated front in round tetrastyle temple, peacock at R.
175 var IMP CAE C VIB VOLUSIANO AVG Bust radiate, draped, cuirassed  r. A rare version with four columns.  Juno pointing coin ears to right, no peacock.
IVNONI MARTIALI  Juno seated front in round tetrastyle temple
175 var IMP CAE C VIB VOLUSIANO AVG Bust radiate, draped, cuirassed  r. Juno pointing coin ears to left, no peacock.
IVNONI MARTIALI  Juno seated front in round tetrastyle temple.
177 IMP CAE C VIB VOLUSIANO AVG Bust radiate, draped, cuirassed  r. Rare type (R2 in RIC).  In the "Cunetio Treasure" this type is allocated to issue 3, but I think that is just a vague guess.  It is not a normal issue.
IVNONI MARTIALI  Juno seated l., holding corn ears and globe. 
178 IMP CAE C VIB VOLUSIANO AVG Bust radiate, draped, cuirassed  r. Listed as R3 in RIC.  There were none in the Dorchester hoard.
LIBERALITAS AVGG Liberalitas stg. l., holding abacus and cornucopiae
189 IMP CAE C VIB VOLUSIANO AVG Bust radiate, draped, cuirassed  r. Reverse proper to Gallus
LIBERTAS AVGG  Libertas stg. l., holding pileus and sceptre.
190 IMP CAE C VIB VOLUSIANO AVG Bust radiate, draped, cuirassed  r. Reverse proper to Gallus
LIBERTAS AVGG Libertas stg. l., holding pileus and sceptre, leaning on column
unlisted  IMP CAE C VIB VOLUSIANO AVG Bust radiate, draped, cuirassed  r. Reverse proper to Gallus.  Note that once again, a mule is of poor fabric - in this case a fouree.  See an explanation of this here. 
LIBERTAS AVGG Libertas stg. l., holding pileus and sceptre, star in r. field
179 IMP CAE C VIB VOLUSIANO AVG Bust radiate, draped, cuirassed  r.  
PAX AVGG Pax stg. l., holding branch and transverse sceptre
180  IMP CAE C VIB VOLUSIANO AVG Bust radiate, draped, cuirassed  r.  
PAX AVGG Pax stg. l., holding branch and transverse sceptre, star in r. field
unlisted  VOLVSIANVS PIVS F AVG Bust radiate, draped, cuirassed  r. Extremely rare obverse legend.  This reverse type (Pax holds sceptre straight and not transverse) normally belongs to Gallus.  Triton 13 Auction 2010.
PAX AVGG Pax stg. l., holding branch and sceptre, star in r. field
unlisted  IMP CAE C VIB VOLUSIANO AVG Bust radiate, draped, cuirassed  r. This reverse type (Pax holds sceptre straight and not transverse) normally belongs to Gallus (RIC 55n).  These are the only examples of Volusian I've seen.  On the top two coins, notice the split obverse legend which is very rare for Gallus and Volusian, but present on this coin and the rare and similar 'PIVS' coin above.
PAX AVGG Pax stg. l., holding branch and sceptre, star in r. field
181 IMP CAE C VIB VOLUSIANO AVG Bust radiate, draped, cuirassed  r. Listed as R3 in RIC.  There were none in the Dorchester hoard.
PAX AVGVS Pax stg. l., holding branch low and transverse sceptre
182 IMP CAE C VIB VOLUSIANO AVG Bust radiate, draped, cuirassed  r. An excerpt from "Brampton Urnes" written by Sir Thomas Browne in 1667:    "my noble & honor'd freind, Sr. Robert Paston, had the curiosity to open a part of ground in his park at Oxned wch adjoyned unto the former feild where fragments of pots were found and upon one the figure of a well made face; and there was also found an unusuall coyne of the emperour Volusianus, having on the obverse the head of the Emperor with a radiated crown and this inscription Imp. Cæs. C. Vib. Volusiano Aug., that is Imperatori Cæsari Caio Vibio Volusiano Augusto. On the reverse an human figure with the arms somewhat extended, and at the right foot an Altar with the Inscription Pietas. This emperour was sonne unto Caius Vibius Tribonianus Gallus with whom he joyntly raygned after the Decii about the yeare 254; both he himself and his father were slaine by the Emperour Æmilianus; by the radiated crowne this peece should be coyned after his death & consecration, but in whose time it is not cleere in historie."
PIETAS AVGG SC  Pietas veiled, stg. l., raising both hands, altar left
191 MP CAE C VIB VOLUSIANO AVG Bust radiate, draped, cuirassed  r., As usual, this mule are poor quality silver.  The dies appear official.  Apparently there was a short period of hasty production using low-quality silver and not much care which combination of dies were used.
PIETAS AVGG  Pietas veiled, stg. l., raising both hands
192 MP CAE C VIB VOLUSIANO AVG Bust radiate, draped, cuirassed  r., Reverse proper to Gallus.  The coin is actually an error in that it has Gallus' portrait and Volusian's title.  Sometimes one sees a hybrid portrait, but this one is certainly Gallus.    HD Rauch Auction 77.  4.3 grams
PIETAS AVGG  Pietas veiled, stg. l., raising both hands, star in r. field
183 IMP CAE C VIB VOLUSIANO AVG Bust radiate, draped, cuirassed  r. rare early type can also be found for coins of Volusian as Caesar
PRINCIPI IVVENT  Emperor std. l. in military dress holding wand and inverted spear
unlisted IMP CAE C VIB VOLUSIANO AVG Bust radiate, draped, cuirassed  r. Reverse of Herennius Etruscus (Decius, RIC 144b)
PRINC  IVVENT  Apollo seated. l., branch in r. hand
203 IMP CAE C VIB VOLUSIANO AVG Bust radiate, draped, cuirassed  r. This coin was listed by Cohen, but Mattingly could not find an example and states "uncertain, confirmation required."   A second specimen that I know of was in the CGB Sale ROME-XI.  Their coin was 3.14 grams, mine is 2.9. 
PROVIDENTIA AVGG Providentia std. l., holding corn ears
193 IMP CAE C VIB VOLUSIANO AVG Bust radiate, draped, cuirassed  r. Reverse proper to Gallus
PROVIDENTIA AVGG Providentia stg. l., holding transverse sceptre
184 IMP CAE C VIB VOLUSIANO AVG Bust radiate, draped, cuirassed  r.  
SALVS AVGG   Salus stg. r., feeding snake from patera
185 IMP CAE C VIB VOLUSIANO AVG Bust radiate, draped, cuirassed  r. Reverse proper to Gallus
SALVS AVGG   Salus stg. l., feeding snake from patera
185A VOLVSIANVS PIVS F AVG Very rare obverse legend
SALVS AVGG   Salus stg. r., feeding snake from patera
186 IMP CAE C VIB VOLUSIANO AVG Bust radiate, draped, cuirassed  r.  
VIRTVS AVGG  Virtus stg. l., holding spear and leaning on shield
187 IMP CAE C VIB VOLUSIANO AVG Bust radiate, draped, cuirassed  r.  
VIRTVS AVGG  Virtus stg. l., holding spear and leaning on shield, star in r. field
196 IMP CAE C VIB VOLUSIANO AVG Bust radiate, draped, cuirassed  r. RIC calls this a mule with the reverse of Philip but it is actually just a very rare early type that can be found for Gallus and Volusian (both as Caesar and as Augustus).
ROMAE AETERNAE  Roma std. l., holding Victory and spear: beside her, shield
194 IMP CAE C VIB VOLUSIANO AVG Bust radiate, draped, cuirassed  r. Reverse proper to Gallus
VICTORIA AVGG   Victory stg. l., holding wreath and palm. 
unlisted IMP CAE C VIB VOLUSIANO AVG Bust radiate, draped, cuirassed  r.  
VOTIS DECENNALIBVS in wreath

Modern Forgeries

NA ADVENTVS AVG Gallus on horseback l., raising r. hand and holding sceptre.   Frequently sold on eBay as genuine (often with artificial wear and toning).  No such reverse exists for the Rome mint.
PM TRP IIII COS II Emperor  stg. l., sacrificing over lighted tripod and holding short sceptre

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