Sale: CNG 72, Lot: 1709. Estimate $300.  Closing Date: Wednesday, 14 June 2006.  Sold For $400. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

Postumus. Romano-Gallic Emperor, AD 260-269. Æ Double Sestertius (12.59 g, 5h). Mint I (Trier). 4th emission, AD 262. IMP C POSTVMVS P F AVG, Radiate, draped, and cuirassed bust right / P M [TR P C]OS III P P, Postumus in military attire, standing left, holding globe and spear. RIC V -; Mairat -; Bastien, Postume 351 (same dies). Good VF, dark brown patina, areas of minor roughness. Extremely rare.

From the Douglas O. Rosenberg Collection.

COS III was added to Postumus’ final bronze issue, which had the long-form obverse legend. Our coin, and the sole specimen found by Bastien, was apparently struck from an obverse die used in the third issue, as it retains the short-form obverse legend. It is uncertain whether this is a hybrid or part of a subsidiary issue of which little remains, as most issues did employ both legends.