Florian, Antoninianus, July-Sept. 276
Cyzicus - Unique - Bronze - VF(30-35)
Bust of Florian, radiate, draped, cuirassed, right.
Plain, slight incuse observe design.
Unique specimen, brockage uniface! Issued under the reign of Florian, this example has the legend "IMP FLORIANVS", which was only struck in the Cyzicus mint. This legend matches with only two types, RIC V Florian 116 and 117, but we assume that this coin corresponds to n°116 since no example of n°117 is known in public collections. Despite its advanced circulation wear, this specimen is rare in many ways. Firstly, the observe type, as it was struck in only one mint. Secondly, because it is a coin of the emperor Florian, who reigned only during 276, between the months of June and September, an extremely short reign that left very few coins issued. Presumably half-brother of Tacitus, he succeeded him after his death, who had previously succeeded Aurelian. Elevated to the rank of emperor by the Senate and recognised as such by its members and a large part of the empire, he was quickly usurped by Probus, commander in the East and proclaimed emperor by his troops at the same time. He was however assassinated by his own troops after they had been unprepared for the heat of Cilicia (now Turkey), after he had led them to Tarsus to face Probus and after they were harassed in guerrilla style by the usurper's troops, who were much more battle-hardened and used to these climatic conditions. Finally, it seems that our specimen is the only coin known to date, in the various sales, as a brockage coin of Florian. No faulty Antoninian coin of Florian seems to have been recorded in past sales over the last twenty-five years.
IMP FLORIANVS AVG
3.26 gr
Bronze
Bronze (not to be confused with brass, although usage of the two terms varied in times of yore) is an extremely ancient alloy with origins going back to the period around 2,000 BC. Also known...wait for it...as the Bronze Age (who would have guessed?). Back in ancient times, a proportion of 10% tin was added to copper. It was used in particular for luxurious objects such as swords, helmets, hairpins, and even chariot ornaments.
That is by no means insignificant though, as when putting on a bronze helmet you would already find yourself with an extra 3 kilos or so on your head. Add to that your sword and armor…let’s see you advance quickly now!
The heavyweight of alloys one might say*.
The first Western bronze coins probably date back to the end of the 4th century BC and Greece.
Although the coins may be ancient, it is more difficult to date the appearance of a specific word for this alloy. The earliest record is a Venetian manuscript in Greek dating from the 11th century, but it is not impossible that it was in use earlier.
Nowadays, the bronze used in coinage is an alloy of copper (majority) and tin (minority) along with other metals such as zinc, for example, which improves the castability, or nickel, which produces a harder alloy. Its main qualities are undeniably its great resistance to corrosion and mechanical wear as well as...its aesthetic aspect.
The patina of bronze can vary, ranging from verdigris to brown through to black.
*Actually, puns aside, copper and cupronickel have a greater density, for example.
