Postumus GERMANICVS MAX V reverse

The Gallic usurper Postumus ceased striking sestertii and double sestertii in the year 263. Unofficial mints continued the production of double sestertii.

Unofficial mints continued the production of double sestertii seemingly until towards the end of Postumus’ rule in 269. The imitations declined in size so much that the radiate bronzes are frequently mis-described as dupondii.

Postumus, double sestertius, "atelier II" mint, PAX AVG

Initially the imitative coins continued the designs used for the official bronze coinage but, through time, additional reverse types entered the repertoire. The majority of the new reverses sought to mimic the reverse types of the official radiate silver coinage of Postumus, for example PAX AVG is frequently encountered.

Gallienus, antoninianus, Trier mint, GERMANICVS MAX V

Occasionally other coins serve as prototypes. During the 250’s Gallienus struck a silver antoninianus at the Trier mint with the reverse of two captives sat beneath a trophy of arms accompanied by the legend GERMANICVS MAX V. The reverse design, including the legend, can be found on this pair of significantly reduced imitative double sestertii of Postumus, perhaps manufactured c.267-8.

Postumus, double sestertii, irregular mint, GERMANICVS MAX V

These two coins quite clearly share the same reverse die, the obverse though, are from different dies. I know of another coin that uses this reverse die and is also an obverse die duplicate with the bottom coin above. It was found in a hoard of Postumus coins from Mericourt-l’Abbe. 

Postumus, imitative double sestertius, Mericourt-l'Abbe hoard

The Mericourt-l'Abbe hoard comprised official, unofficial from “atelier II”, now thought to be a significant unofficial mint complex making (striking and casting) both silver and bronze coins of Postumus located at Chateaubleu, and other irregular coins of uncertain mint location.

Proximity of Mericourt-l'Abbe (yellow 8) to Chateaubleu (Blue 13)

You might speculate that what the die cutters were aiming for was a similar reverse type that did occur in the official large bronze of Postumus, the captives and trophy but with the legend FELICITAS AVG. The fact that they legend used was from a coin of Gallienus may demonstrate that the overall design was more important than accuracy of the accompanying lettering. 

Postumus double sestertius FELICITAS AVG (from de Witte) 

An Aurelian antoninianus with a 1936 pedigree

With the various MoUs regulating international trade in cultural objects and the UNESCO convention provenance or pedigree is playing an ever increasing role in the marketability of ancient coins, particularly high end specimens.

I was doing some research into provenance of some low end Roman coins of Aurelian when I hit upon an unexpected result for the coin at the top of the page.

The coin is an antoninianus of the 3rd emission from the Mediolanum (Milan) mint, RIC 138 corrected, RIC MER 1468 (temp), MIR 61b2(3) (this coin, plate 9, described as 4th emission by Gobl).

The coin is unremarkable in itself, except for the excellent state of preservation, has a very prominent die break on the reverse extending across half of the coin, leaving a raised line. It was apparently sold by Munzhandlung Basel in 1936 in their 18th March sale, lot 1990 where the described as FDC, no mention of the die break, and sure enough, it appears on plate 24.

Munzhandlung Basel was formed by an offshoot of the Cahn family in 1934, having left Frankfurt to avoid persecution. They purchased a huge and impressive collection of Greek and Roman coins from Prince Waldeck, “Prince W” identified on the auction catalogue frontispiece, seemingly put together in the 18th century by his ancestors. This collection formed the backbone of their first five ancient coin sales.

Searching Wikipedia there are a couple of Princes of Waldeck that could have been responsible for the sale of the family collection. The most likely, I would think, is Friedrich (1865-1946). He was the last reigning Prince of Waldeck and Pyrmont, abdicating on 13th November 1918 when the monarchy was abolished.