Postumus, Romano-Gallic Emperor, 260-269. Double Sestertius (Orichalcum, 29 mm, 12.15 g, 5 h), uncertain mint ('Atelier II'), circa 261-263. IMP C M CASS LAT POSTVMVS P F AVG Radiate, draped and cuirassed bust of Postumus to right. Rev. EXERCITVS VAG (sic!) / S C Postumus on horseback left, raising his right hand in salute and holding spear in his left, addressing four soldiers standing to right before, three of them holding standard. Bastien 141 (same dies). Cohen 37. Elmer -. RIC 117. Rare. Some roughness, otherwise, good fine.


It is not uncommon to find cast double sestertii or sestertii of Postumus. Perhaps these were produced as an ad-hoc measure under emergeny circumstances, or they reflect a deteriorating knowledge of the production process of striking large bronze coins in a region that had not housed a mint for imperial bronzes in two centuries, instead relying on supply from Rome, which was now cut off.