Banti Plate Coin

296, Lot: 328. Estimate $150. Sold for $240. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

Philip I. AD 244-249. Æ Sestertius (30mm, 16.68 g, 6h). Rome mint, 1st officina. 8th emission, AD 248. Laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust right / Mars standing left, holding branch, spear, and shield. RIC IV 152; Banti 37. VF, green patina, reverse double struck.

From the Chiltern Collection, acquired from Italo Vecchi.

This is the sole coin Banti cites with “COS IIII” on the reverse, which he took to be an engraver’s error, but which is more likely just the result of the double striking.