DN VETRA - NIO PF AVG

Bust of Vetranio right, laureate, draped and cuirassed.

SALVATOR – REI - PVBLICAE

Emperor left, holding labarum (banner) inscribed with Christogram and transversal sceptre. Behind him, Victory left, crowning him and holding palm branch.

Picture comes from coin sold by: Numismatica Ars Classica NAC AG. Link to their website: http://www.arsclassicacoins.com/. Reverse with simple shoes (see explanation type: "CONCORDIA MILITUM heavyweight series") Emperor bare head.

Bust of Vetranio laureate, draped and cuirassed to right, holding spear in his right hand and shield in his left.

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Same reverse but the only coin known show ribbons on emperor's head. Shoes with the top folded. Coin sold at Leu numismatik AG, link to the sale: https://www.acsearch.info/search.html?id=129909. Link to their website: http://www.lhs-numismatik.com/.

DN VETRA - NIO PF AVG

Bust of Vetranio, laureate, draped and cuirassed to right.

GAVDIVM POPVLI ROMANI

( VOT _ V _ MUL _ X )

Wreath in the center of which is inscribed: "VOT V MUL X".

Theoretical weight and diameter, according to the average of the observed coins. The obverse and reverse pictures, come from a coin sold at Roma numismatic Limited, link to the sale: https://www.acsearch.info/search.html?id=2139714. Link to their website: http://romanumismatics.com/.

Board of styles

DN [VERT]AN - IO PF AVG

Bust of Vetranio, laureate, draped and cuirassed to right.

VIRTUS EXERCITVM

Vetranio standing to the left, holding a labarum (banner) inscribed of the christogram with the right hand and leaning on a shield with the left hand.

A seemingly unique coin, indicated by the RIC VIII page 413 and the Gnecchi 2 and coming from the Evans collection. The Gnecchi 2 gives a weight of 5.67 grs but it is probably the same coin. I habe chosen the data provided by the RIC VIII for the weight reference, given that this book is more recent than the Gnecchi 2. This coin illustrated pl 19 of the RIC VIII contains the legend error [VERTA] NIO PF AVG.

The illustration above, for the obverse is the same that  the type VIRTUS EXERCITUM with the variation of legend [VERTA] NIO PF AVG because these two coins have almost exactly the same portrait.

DN VETRA - NIO PF AVG

Bust of Vetranio, laureate, draped and cuirassed to right.

VICTORIA – AVGVSTORVM

Victory walking left, holding wreath with right hand and palm with left hand.

Theoretical weights and diameters. I made a weight average, considering that the SIS mark (palm in the field on the left) weighs on average between 4.10 grs and 4.16 grs and the mark SIS (palm in the field on the left) weighs between 4.34 grs and 4.36 grs (sic RIC VIII, page 368). Because sales do not usually show diameter or weight and given the scarcity of those coins it is difficult to conduct a serious study. In addition, I am waiting to see a coin with the mark SIS before confirming its existence and add this mark on the list.

DN VETRA - NIO PF AVG

Bust of Vetranio, laureate, draped and cuirassed to right.

VICTORIA AVGVSTORVM

Victory walking left, holding wreath with right hand and trophy with left hand.

3 boules au bout des ptéryges

Board of styles

DN VETRA - NIO PF AVG

Bust of Vetranio, laureate, draped and cuirassed to right.

VICTORIA AVGVSTORVM

Victory walking left, holding palm branch with right hand and trophy with left hand.

DN VETRA - NIO PF AVG

A

Bust of Vetranio, laureate, draped and cuirassed to right.

CONCORDIA MILITVM

Vetranio standing to the left, holding a labarum (banner) inscribed of the christogram in each hand. A star above the head.

The weight given (5.00 grams) is theoretical. The weights range from 4.10 grams to 5,50 grams (on average), for very worn-out coins. The blanks of the light weight series have probably also been used for this series. This explains the differences in weight. The heaviest weight recorded by the author of this website is 6.19 grams, the lightest is 3.56 grams for a coin in state VF (very fine) but on a blank with small notches on the edge.

There are significant differences in diameter without affecting the weight.

• Portraits fine and in general quite similar.
• Similar drape with pterygiums often well represented.
• Double or single necklace.

• The cloak is long or short but it always looks pelleted. Possibility of existence of a cloak smooth but coins seen are too worn out to confirm.
• The Emperor is often laured. More rarely bareheaded. Unlike Thessalonica where he is mainly bareheaded

Board of styles

Pictures of variants on the reverse are not listed according to the existing combinations which are far too numerous. They show the different variants seen:

• Cloak long or short (photo 1 and 2, short, 3 and 4, long).
• Top of the banner with dots or crosses, string of balls or decorated (photo 2).
• Pterygium present or absent.
• The shoes are single perones (boots) (photo 2). Photo 1, 3 and 4 show a model with the top folded, probably a luxurious version intended for emperors or high-ranking people (often with an animal head).

The one-point variant above the banner seems less common. The position of the hands varies from high to medium. One coin only, seen with variant "top of the standard with triangle and vertical bar inside" (photo 2). Link to this coin: https://www.cngcoins.com/Coin.aspx?CoinID=244137.

DN VETRA - NIO PF AVG

A

Bust of Vetranio, laureate, draped and cuirassed to right.

CONCORDIA MILITVM

Vetranio standing to the left, holding a labarum (banner) inscribed of the christogram in each hand. A star above the head.

Board of styles

As for the heavy weight series, the position of the hands varies from high to medium, the boots are with the top folded or not (see explanation on heavy weight series). One coin seen without cloak: https://www.cngcoins.com/Coin.aspx?CoinID=223310.

DN VETRA - NIO PF AVG

Bust of Constantius II, draped and cuirassed to right and wearing diadem.

CONCORDIA MILITVM

Vetranio? standing to the left, holding a labarum (banner) inscribed of the christogram in each hand.

This bust is identified by the author as being Constantius II, due to several points:

• Absence of beard.
• The bust is clearly diademed and not laureate.
• Typical portrait of Constantius II with long head.

Vetranio was laureate et refused the diadem. The vast majority of experts and reference books describe variants "laureate" or "diademed" for Vetranio coins. I think it is a mistake. All busts described as "diademed" are simpy laureate. The proof is that we often see the tip of the leaves of the crown, at the top of the head. The theory saying that we can distinguish an laureate bust from an diademed bust counting the dots is not correct. With an elargement x 4 for each photo, we can often see this is leaves and not dots. Another undubitable point: absence of square or round tip on the top of the crown or Large pearls between the two bead lines. The style of the crown is similar to the crowns of the others emperors for this mint. These points show that Vetranio is always laureate and never diademed. 

This variant with Constantius II portraiture, contain these points. Actually this is the only obverse die known with this portraiture associate with Vetranio legend. Therefore we can not say the value of this coin passed for sale as being with the portrait of Vétranio, link of the sale: https://www.cngcoins.com/Coin.aspx?CoinID=288141

DN VETRAN - IO PF AVG

Bust of Vetranio, laureate, draped and cuirassed to right.

CONCORDIA MILITVM

Vetranio standing to the left, holding a labarum (banner) inscribed of the christogram in each hand. A star above the head.

The weight given (5.00 grams) is theoretical. The weights range from 4.50 grams to 5.80 grams (on average), for worn-out coins. We can classify this series in the heavy weight because coins often exceed the 5.00 grams. The heaviest weight recorded by the author of this site is 6.96 grams, the lighter is 3.51 grams for a coins in State EF (extremly fine).

As for the other series, there are significant differences in diameter without that affecting the weight

• The legend with cut VETRAN - IO is unique in Thessalonica. Unlike Siscia where we see VETRA - NIO.
• Similar portraits, always round and massive but with a fine or thick beard.
• Large fibula, often finely decorated and long.
• Fine crown (suggesting a diadem, see explanation above on the type "Portrait Constantius II").

• Emperor almost bareheaded.
• The cloak still seems short.
• The position of the hands is high, unlike Siscia where it varies from high to medium.
• The shoes are simple (see explanation for the heavy weight series).

Board of styles

The three variants of the reverse are: top of the banner triangular with vertical bar inside (photo 1)  or single (photo 2) or with a point (photo 3) and bottom of the banner decorated (photo 1). Variant 3 with point is the rarest.

An example seen with banner of type 2 and the banner of the right type 3. Engraving of lower quality than in general, even if the portrait is very good. This is demonstrated by the "I' of VETRAN-IO  which looks like and the G of AVG which is also deformed. Link of the sale: https://www.cngcoins.com/Coin.aspx?CoinID=289193

Only one coin seen with the laurel head on the reverse, link of the sale:http://www.cgb.fr/vetranion-maiorina,brm_168690,a.html

DN VETRA - NIO PF AVG

A /

Buste de Vétranion, lauré, drapé et cuirassé à droite.

HOC SIG - NO VICTOR ERIS

Vetranio standing to the left, holding a labarum (banner) inscribed of the christogram and transverse sceptre. Crowned by Victory standing behind him and holding palm branch.

The heaviest weight recorded by the author of this website is 9.84 grams ! With a diameter of 25.00 mm. Link of the sale: https://www.cngcoins.com/Coin.aspx?CoinID=149266

Die link noticed by the author of this site, the two coins share the same obverse die but not reverse die. The same mint mark: SIS. Sales Link:

https://www.cngcoins.com/Coin.aspx?CoinID=258826

https://www.cngcoins.com/Coin.aspx?CoinID=260000

• The head of the emperor always seems to be laureate.

Board of styles

The obverse pictures n ° 2, 3 and 4 come from coins sold by Roma Numismatics Limited, link to the site: http://romanumismatics.com/. This house of sale tells us the mark: ASIS not referenced yet. Link to this sale: https://www.acsearch.info/search.html?id=2544992

The reverse variant with the banner with string of balls or with two verticals lines below that can be seen in the picture n ° 2, can appear with all the variants of the top of the banner, like the absence of "perones" on the shoes (opening from the top and falling, photo n°3 ).

DN VETRA - NIO PF AVG

A /

Bust of Vetranio, laureate, draped and cuirassed to right.

HOC SIG - NO VICTOR ERIS

Vetranio standing to the left, holding a labarum (banner) inscribed of the christogram and transverse spear. Crowned by Victory standing behind him and holding palm branch.

I discovered this variant, certainly mentioned by the RIC VIII, but it was probably a mistake of term, wishing to describe the "scepter" by "spear". Most auction houses and collectors do not distinguish and do not know the "spear" variant. The RIC VIII having mentioned only the lance variant but not the one with the scepter. Therefore, we regularly have "spear" descriptions whereas it is a scepter and vice versa. So I chose to divide these two variants clearly.

Very difficult to perform a scarcity score. Since the detail (spear tip) is very fine and small, worn copies, poor quality photos do not help to identify a spear rather than a scepter. Several coins seen by the author of this site, including one for sale in 2016, link to the sale: https://www.acsearch.info/search.html?id=3360765 and the website of the auction house: http://www.numismatik-naumann.com/

The specimens analyzed are of very good quality (Extremly fine  to Mint state) and make it possible to certify the presence of a spear. My opinion is that it is probably more of an etching error than a desire to change the style. Indeed, the scepter is composed of one to two balls at the top. Detail that is found in some coins with the variant "spear". Similarly, it is difficult to carry out a study of style, with the few "undeniable" examples encountered. But obverse picture above come from a coin sold here: https://www.auctiones.ch/browse.html?auction=all&lot=2660#!prettyPhoto and that have the same style as the other coins seen. High probability to discover new workshop marks, which will be added on this site, of course.

DN VETRA - NIO PF AVG

Bust of Vetranio, laureate, draped and cuirassed to right.

HOC SIG - NO VICTOR ERIS

Vetranio standing to the left, holding a labarum (banner) inscribed of the christogram and transverse sceptre. Crowned by Victory standing behind him and holding palm branch.

As for the CONCORDIA MILITUM type, the weight given (5.00 grams) is theoretical. The weights range from 4.50 grams to 5,50 grams (on average), for very worn-out coins. The weights are, in general, heavier than the theoretical weight, same remarks concerning the flanks as for the type CONCORDIA MILITUM. The heaviest weight recorded by the author of this website is 9.48 grams but it is a modern counterfeit, another coin with the same dies weighing 4.49 grs went on sale in this same auction house, so we have two counterfeits of different weights. Conversely: two authentic coins sold by: Numismatik Naumann (formerly Gitbud & Naumann), sharing the same obverse and reverse die, weighing 5.20 grams for 22.00 mm and 5.21 grams for 21 mm. Link to their website: http://www.numismatik-naumann.at/. Link to the sales:  https://www.acsearch.info/search.html?id=2520219  and https://www.acsearch.info/search.html?id=2579949.

There are significant differences in diameter without affecting the weight. On average, the diameter look a few more large than CONCORDIA MILITUM type.

An obverse die seen with a particular graphics suggesting a bust "seen from the front" because of the orientation of the right shoulder and the orientation of the drape (vertical line at the base of the neck, inclined). It is indeed a bust "seen from three-quarters ahead". Link to the coin: https://www.cngcoins.com/Coin.aspx?CoinID=144785.

Be carefull with the modern fakes on the heavyweight and lightweight series. , but also, a small particularity that I have noticed and which differs from authentics coins: the scepter is long and exceeds from the right knee. This can be found on authentic coins, but this is the common point of many modern forgeries. Link to one of these coins: http://www.nummus-bible-database.com/monnaie-52354.htm

Obverse picture comes from coin sold by: Auctiones GmbH, link to their website: https://www.auctiones.ch/.

Board of styles

Same comments for reverse style as for  "heavy weight" series. A doubt subsisting: coin seen without decoration on the top of the banner. But impossible to confirm, because the coin is off-centered and the strike is a little weak.

Obverse pictures n°2 and 3 come from coins sold by: Numismatik Naumann (formerly Gitbud & Naumann), link to their website: http://www.numismatik-naumann.at/

DN VETRA - NIO PF AVG

A /

Bust of Vetranio, laureate, draped and cuirassed to right.

HOC SIG - NO VICTOR ERIS

Vetranio standing to the left, holding a labarum inscribed of the christogram and transverse spear. Crowned by Victory standing behind him and holding palm branch.

See explanations on the heavyweight series, variant "spear". It seems, despite the few coins seen, that the most common style is the one with the three balls above the banner (see picture above). As for the heavy weigths series with the variant "spear".

Several coins seen by the author of this site, including one for sale in 2016, link to the sale: https://www.acsearch.info/search.html?id=3360765

And the website of the auction house: http://www.numismatik-naumann.com/

DN VETRAN - IO PF AVG

Bust of Vetranio, laureate, draped and cuirassed to right.

VIRTUS EXERCITVM

Vetranio standing to the left, holding a labarum (banner) inscribed of the christogram with the right hand and leaning on a shield with the left hand.

• Legend: DN VERTAN - IO PF AVG

• The shield always seems "empty" on this variant.
   

Several dies reported, includind two sold by the auction houses Classical Numismatic Group and Numismatik Naumann (formerly Gitbud & Naumann). I discovered another coin with the legend VERTAN - IO sold at Savoca Numismatik as a normal legend, sharing the same obverse and reverse dies as the coin sold by Classical Numismatic Group. Link to the sales of the two coins sharing the same dies: https://www.cngcoins.com/Coin.aspx?CoinID=78240 and http://savoca.emaxbid.com/m/lot-details/index/catalog/73/lot/19405/ and a third coin with different dies (Photo used for the obverse image): https://www.cngcoins.com/Coin.aspx?CoinID=264242. Link to the coin sold by Numismatik Naumann (formerly Gitbud & Naumann) with still different dies than the three coins already mentioned: https://www.acsearch.info/search.html?id=2092213 and their website: http://www.numismatik-naumann.com/. We therefore have at least three obverse dies associated with three different  reverse dies and presenting same legend error. By comparing the two coins sharing the same corners, the one sold at Savoca Numismatik seems to have been hit by worn dies. For example: the line of exergue representing the ground is extended by a thin line on its left, probably a die break, the M of EXERCTITVM is slightly deformed. These corners therefore probably struck in quantity. I also note a major weight difference between these two coins: the first weighs 6.80 grs for 24.00 mm and the second: 4.43 grs for 23.00 mm. Considering that these coins are to be classified in the theoretical weight class of 5.00 grs (or 5.20 grs as mentioned in the RIC VIII), a mixture of "heavy" and "light" blanks is again observed, as in the preceding types.

I noticed a U whose bottom is round and not a Roman V for VIRTVS on this coin: https://www.cngcoins.com/Coin.aspx?CoinID=78240 . The letter U being always represented by V on all coins, this enters into a variant of involuntary graphism.

Board of styles

The obverse n ° 1 is a restoration of a worn coin.

For the reverse, the variants: "full shield with point / without point", "empty shield with point / without point" can be met randomly with "normal banner", "banner with string of balls" and the top of the banner with "point" or "triangle". Possible existence of a top of undecorated banner, still impossible to confirm due to the low state of conservation of the coins seen. The list above shows the existing variations and not all possible combinations. Presence or absence of ball at the bottom of the standard.

Possible existence of a top of undecorated banner, still impossible to confirm due to the low state of conservation of the coins seen. On the other hand, the top of banner without point is common for the half-maiorina.

DN VETRA - NIO PF AVG

Bust of Vetranio, laureate, draped and cuirassed to right.

GLORIA RO - MANORUM

Vetranio standing to the left, holding a labarum (banner) inscribed of the christogram in right hand and transverse scepter with left hand.

After inspection, I note that as for the type "HOC SIGNO VICTOR ERIS", the only known description is "spear". But, once again (sic explanation of the type mentioned above), given that I noted the variants "scepter" and "lance", is there a second error of description? The variant with scepter seems to be the most common, even if the inspection of worn coins (which is most of the time the case) can not clearly determine a difference between the scepter and the spear, because the detail is too small and subject to rapid disappearance with wear. Consequently, the variant with scepter is called "spear", but the variant with the spear is never mentioned.

By examining at least two coins in EF (extremly fine) state and i determined the presence of a leaf shaped point. I therefore classify these two variants by differentiating them. As for the "HOC SIGNO VICTOR ERIS" type, we find one or two "balls" characteristic of the scepter, at the top of the spear.

I discovered a very interesting obverse die link for two "half - maiorina", one of the type GLORIA ROMANORUM and the second one of the type VIRTUS AUGUSTORUM. Both were struck by the fifth officina, with the mark: SIS. We notice at 3 o'clock the same die break. This point shows that these two coins were struck with a worn die and probably in the same period because the break did not spread. Link to the coins sold by Classical Numismatic Group: https://www.cngcoins.com/Coin.aspx?CoinID=55364 and (from Elliot-Kent Collection) https://www.cngcoins.com/Coin.aspx?CoinID=164215.

The heaviest weight that I could record is 4.44 grams for a diameter of 20.00 mm, the lightest 1.98 grams for a coin of 18.00 mm in state: MS (Mint State). Smallest diameter: 17.00 mm.

Board of styles

DN VETRA - NIO PF AVG

Bust of Vetranio, laureate, draped and cuirassed to right.

GLORIA RO - MANORUM

Vetranio standing to the left, holding a labarum (banner) inscribed of the christogram in right hand and transverse spear with left hand.

Concerning the study of style, see the commentary of the type HOC SIGNO VICTOR ERIS. The only coins unquestionably observed with a spear, share the same style of obverse and reverse, which I have represented above.

It is added, however, that as for the type "with scepter", the emperor is represented bareheaded (see explanation type scepter).

DN VETRA - NIO PF AVG

Bust of Vetranio right, laureate, draped and cuirassed.

VIRTVS AV - G - VSTORVM

Emperor standing on the right, holding a spear in his right hand and a globe on the left with his right foot on the hand of a captive seated on the ground in front of him.

Board of styles

DN VETRAN - IO PF AVG

Bust of Vetranio, laureate, draped and cuirassed to right.

VIRTUS EXERCITVM

Vetranio standing to the left, holding a labarum (banner) inscribed of the christogram with the right hand and leaning on a shield with the left hand.

Board of styles

D N VETRA - NIO P F AVG

Bust of Vetranio, laureate, draped and cuirassed to right.

BONO REI - PVBLICAE

Victory standing left and holding long cross with right hand. Above her, a star.

Tin Aureus made by Carl Wilhelm Becker (1772-1830), the obverse imitating a official obverse of Vetranio. The associated reverse is not a type used by Vetranio. Becker intentionally imitate coins with an impossible obverse/reverse association.