Unique and Unpublished

Sale: Triton XI, Lot: 977. Estimate $20000.  Closing Date: Monday, 7 January 2008.  Sold For $16000. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

Trebonianus Gallus. AD 251-253. AV Heavy Aureus or Binio (5.46 g, 12h). Rome mint. Special emission, AD 250. IMP CAE C VIB TREB GALLVS AVG, radiate, draped, and cuirassed bust right / IVNONI M-ARTIALI, Temple of Juno: circular distyle temple with Corinthian columns, two garlands hanging below dome; within, statue of Juno, holding two grain ears in extended right hand, seated facing on winged throne. Cf. RIC IV 54 (antoninianus); cf. Calicó 3333 (same obv. die, different rev. type). Good VF, light graze across obverse, scattered light marks. Unique and unpublished, this reverse type previously unknown on gold of Gallus.

Juno was the patron god associated with Volusian, and the reverse type depicting her temple was one of the canonical types used on the coinage of Gallus’ son; the known antoniniani of Gallus with this type are thought to be hybrids. On only two occasions was this type used for Gallus: during a late emission of antoniniani, with a short form of legend on the obverse and reverse, and on the medallions issued in celebration of Volusian’s elevation to augustus. This latter occasion, which was early enough to still use the longer form obverse legend, may also have been the event for which this special, heavy aureus issue was struck.