Postumus on Pius sestertius

[dougsmit]

This galley reverse Postumus double sestertius was overstruck on a Antoninus Pius but I can't make out the original reverse type.  The obverse has part of the Pius legend (VSAVGP) at left but I can not explain either the large letters at lower left (SVDV???) or what appears to be  a T between the V and S at the right.  Any help understanding the letters on this mess would be appreciated. 

[Charles S]

I have been looking at the legends again and again, but I cannot make anything out of it.  There is not any obverse legend with SVDV anywhere so it must be something else.  Also I have difficulty seeing that the obverse was a portrait of Antoninus Pius.  Is it visible at all, or is it based on the part pf the legend that reads VSAVGP ?

[dougsmit]

The profile shows just right of Postumus' forehead while the back of the head is between the rays of the crown.  The Pius portrait was larger than that of Postumus.

[Charles S]

Yes, I see the head now.  I can find only two possibilities for the "S" (the letter which is very clearly visible) on that part of the coin:
- SARA...  or "VSPP...", I cannot find any other possibility.  SARA[ntoninvs] would be preceded by IMP T AELIVS CAE which does not match with VSAVGP; the second would be preceded by [antonin]VS AVG P which matches.  However, I did not find any example where PIVS is cut as PIV-S instead of PI-VS, but I cannot see any sign of the V , so I fear I cannot solve this puzzle.

[dougsmit]

Thanks for the effort.  I was toying with it being a triple overstrike but those large letters at the lower left and the whole under reverse just make no sense ---- yet.