RIC V Online 822

Roman Empire, Claudius II (268-270), Antoninianus, Smyrna mint, 1st emission, ? officina.

Obverse: IMP C M AVR CLAVDIVS AVG, radiate, draped and cuirassed bust right, seen from behind;

Reverse: VIRTV-TI AVG, trophy of arms, helmet left, flanked by two bound captives, SPQR in exergue;

Notes: There have been many debates surrounding the location of the SPQR mint that struck antoniniani for Gallienus and Claudius II; while the last few emissions certainly belong to Cyzicus, the earlier ones have enough differences in style and metal composition to suggest that they were struck somewhere else. Gysen, Mairat and Doyen, amongst others, all support the idea that it was in Smyrna, and I personally agree. This mint struck four different VIRTVTI AVG coins for Claudius II, with the most common one with the trophy having been inherited from Gallienus; at Cyzicus it will later evolve into the VICTORIAE GOTHIC type.

Reference : RIC V 255; RIC V Online 822;

Collection : Claudius II - Smyrna