MACEDON. Philippi. Divus Trajan, died 117. Diassarion (Bronze, 24 mm, 9.60 g, 6 h), struck under Gallienus, 260-268. DIVO TRAIANO Radiate head of Divus Trajan to right.
Rev. LIBERO PA[TRI RECIANO] / P - C Liber Pater standing front, head to left, holding kantharos over panther in his right hand and thyrsos in his left. Amandry, Philippensium, 5 (D2/R4). Of the highest rarity, apparently the second known example of this very unusual issue. Slightly rough and struck somewhat off center
, otherwise, very fine.
From a European collection, formed before 2005.
The extremely rare Divi-series issued by Philippi under Gallienus was perhaps influenced by Decius' earlier series of antoniniani honoring deceased emperors. What prompted the city to strike this very unusual series is unknown, but it is worth noting that it included only the three arguably most popular emperors, Augustus, Traian and Marcus Aurelius. Liber's unusual epithet Reciano may carry the root word
regius = royal in it, but it is likely a geographical surname, similar to Magusano and Deusoniensi, local epithets of Hercules on coins of Postumus.
