RIC V Online 1051* (bust type variant)

Roman Empire, Claudius II (268-270), Antoninianus, Antioch mint, 3rd emission, ? officina.

Obverse: IMP C CLAVDIVS AVG, radiate head left with drapery to the front;

Reverse: SALV-S AVG, Apollo standing left, holding olive branch in right hand, resting left hand on lyre;

Notes: The association of Apollo with health was commonplace in Roman times, and had been previously used on coinage by emperors like Trebonianus Gallus while the Plague of Cyprian ravaged the Empire; it's interesting to wonder whether this coin was struck due to the same pandemic that would eventually cost the life of emperor Claudius himself. The A2l bust type is quite rare for this issue and listed only for the reverses NEPTVN AVG, IVNO REGINA, IVVENTVS AVG and VIRTVS AVG.

Reference : RIC V - (c.f. RIC V 216 - unlisted bust type); RIC V Online - (c.f. RIC V Online 1051 - unlisted bust type); Huvelin 1990 - ;

Collection : Claudius II - Antioch