weight 3,00gr. ; silver Ø 18mm.

obv. Laureate head of Pertinax right, surrounded by the legend;
IMP CAES P HELV PERTIN AVG
rev. Aequitas, draped, standing left, holding scales in right hand
and cornucopiae in left hand, surrounded by the legend;
AEQVIT AVG TR P COS II

Pertinax was born in Liguria (northwest Italy) on 1 August 126 as a son of a freed slave. He originally worked as a teacher before becoming an officer in the army. He fought in the war with the Parthians during the 160′s, and success there led to higher-ranking positions in both the military and political spheres, including provincial governor and urban prefect. He was also a member of the Roman Senate, where he was a contemporary of the historian Cassius Dio. Following the death of Commodus in 192 AD, Pertinax was acclaimed emperor. He attempted to institute several reform measures, although the short length of his time as emperor prevented the success of those attempts. One of those reforms, the restoration of discipline among the Praetorian Guards, led to conflict that eventually culminated in Pertinax′s assassination by the Guard. His reign lasted only 3  months. After his death, the Praetorians auctioned off the imperial title, which was won by the wealthy senator Didius Julianus, whose reign would last sixty-six days.

Cohen 2 ; RIC 1a (R2); BMC 15 ; Sear 6038 RR
Minor flan irregularities.
Very attractive specimen with fine details. Very rare.
xf-

weight 3,40gr. ; silver Ø 19mm.

obv. Laureate head of Pertinax right, surrounded by the legend;
IMP CAES P HELV PERTIN AVG
rev. Providentia, draped, standing left, pointing her right hand
to star and resting left hand on breast, surrounded by the legend;
PROVID DEOR COS II

Cohen 43 ; RIC 11a ; BMC 13 ; Sear 6046 RR
Attractive coin, struck on a broad flan, with good portrait.
Very rare.
vf

weight 3,17gr. ; silver Ø 17mm.

obv. Laureate head of Pertinax right, surrounded by
the legend; IMP CAES P HELV PERTIN AVG
rev. Pertinax in toga standing left, sacrificing patera over
tripod-altar, surrounded by the legend; VOT DECEN TR P COS II

Cohen 56 ; RIC 13a ; BMC 24 ; Sear 6048 RR
Very rare.
vf

weight 3,35 ; silver Ø 18mm.

obv. Laureate head of Pescennius Niger right, surrounded
by the legend; IMP CAES C PESC NIGER IVS AVG COS  II
rev. Fortuna, draped, standing left, holding rudder in right hand
and cornucopiae in left hand, surrounded by the legend;
FORTVNA  -  E  -  REDVCI

Fortuna Redux (or Fortuna Reduci) refers to the Roman goddess Fortuna in her role of ensuring a safe return, especially for emperors or soldiers from war or long journeys, meaning "Returning Fortune" or "Fortune who brings back". She is depicted with a rudder (steering oar) on a globe, symbolizing guidance and control over the journey, and a cornucopia (horn of plenty) for prosperity upon arrival.

♦ magnifiucent portrait with excellent details ♦

Cohen - (cf. 24) ; RIC 26e (R3) ; BMC- (cf. 300) ; Sear - (cf. 6107) RRR
Hard to find this nice. Extremely rare.
xf- à vf/xf

weight 2,87 ; silver Ø 18mm.

obv. Laureate head of Pescennius Niger right,
surrounded by the legend; IMP CAES C PESC NIGER IVST AVG
rev. Salus standing right, feeding serpent held in her arms,
flaming altar at feet, surrounded by the legend; SALVTI AVG

Following the death of Pertinax in AD 193, and the ″sale″ of the Roman throne by the Praetorian Guard to Didius Julianus, the governor of Syria, Pescennius Niger, was hailed emperor by the legions under his command. Septimius Severus, who had been proclaimed emperor by the Danubian legions at about the same time, first secured his power by subduing Rome, then marched to encounter Niger. In the ensuing battles, Severus proved to be the stronger adversary and Niger was overtaken as he attempted escape to Parthia. He was executed and his head was sent to Severus, who then ruthlessly slaughtered the rest of Niger′s family.

SALVTI AVGVSTI ("To the health of the Augustus/Emperor") is a common reverse legend on Roman coins, primarily used to wish for the Emperor′s continued health, safety, and security. The legend frequently accompanies an image of an altar (often with double-paneled doors) or the goddess Salus standing, sometimes feeding a serpent.

♦ Attractive specimen for this extremely rare coin type ♦

Cohen 66 ; RIC 75b (R3) ; BMC 314note ; cf. Sear 6124 RRR
vf

weight 3,07gr. ; silver Ø 17mm.

obv. Bare head of Albinus right,
surrounded by the legend;  D CLOD SEPT ALBIN CAES
rev. Minerva, helmeted, draped, standing left, holding olive-branch in right
hand and shield set on ground in left hand; spear rests against left arm,
surrounded by the legend; MINER PACIF COS II

Cohen 48 ; RIC 7 ; BMC 98 ; Sear 6144 S
Very attractive for the type, with good portrait.
vf+/vf

weight 3,04gr. ; silver Ø 17mm.

obv. Bare head of Albinus right,
surrounded by the legend;  D CLOD SEPT ALBIN CAES
rev. Minerva, helmeted, draped, standing left, holding olive-branch in right
hand and shield set on ground in left hand; spear rests against left arm,
surrounded by the legend; MINER PACIF COS II

Cohen 48 ; RIC 7 ; BMC 98 ; Sear 6144 S
Usual short flan for this issue. Attractive portrait.
vf à vf+

weight 3,51gr. ; silver Ø 17mm.

obv. Bare head of Albinus right,
surrounded by the legend;  D CLOD SEPT ALBIN CAES
rev. Minerva, helmeted, draped, standing left, holding olive-branch in right
hand and shield set on ground in left hand; spear rests against left arm,
surrounded by the legend; MINER PACIF COS II

Cohen 48 ; RIC 7 ; BMC 98 ; Sear 6144 S
Usual short flan for this issue. Attractive portrait.
vf

weight 3,24gr. ; silver Ø 18mm.

obv. Bare head of Albinus right,
surrounded by the legend;  D CLOD SEPT ALBIN CAES
rev. Minerva, helmeted, draped, standing left, holding olive-branch in right
hand and shield set on ground in left hand; spear rests against left arm,
surrounded by the legend; MINER PACIF COS II

Cohen 48 ; RIC 7 ; BMC 98 ; Sear 6144 S
Some minor scratches. Good portrait and attractive toning.
vf

weight 2,98gr. ; silver Ø 18mm.

obv. Bare head of Albinus right,
surrounded by the legend;  D CLODIVS AL  -  BINVS CAES
rev. Providentia, draped, standing left, holding wand in right
hand over globe set on ground and sceptre in left hand,
surrounded by the legend; PROVID AVG COS

♦ exceptional high quality for this coin type ♦

Cohen 58 ; RIC 1a ; BMC 38 ; Sear 6145 R
Beautiful lustrous specimen with excellent portrait.
Mintstate. Very rare this nice.
unc

weight 2,28gr. ; silver Ø 18mm.

obv. Laureate head of Clodius Albinus right, around the text;
IMP CAES D CLO SEP ALB AVG
rev. Aequitas standing left, holding scales in right hand and cornucopiae in left,
around the text; AEQVITAS AVG COS II

Cohen 1 ; RIC 13a ; BMC 280 ; cf. Sear 6161 R
Beautiful specimen, struck on a broad flan and with attractive patina.
Unusual nice for this rare coin type..
xf-

weight 22,82gr. ; bronze Ø 30mm.

obv. Laureate head of Septimius right, surrounded
by the legend;  L SEPT SEV PERT AVG IMP VII
rev. Septimius Severus, in military attire, standing left, holding Victory
on globe in extended right hand and spear in left hand, being crowned
by Roma, helmeted, draped, holding parazonium in left hand, S C in
exergue, surrounded by the legend; DIVI M PII F P M TR P III COS II P P 

Cohen 128 ; RIC 702a ; BMC 141,574 ; Sear 6410 R
Attractive dark brown patina. Rare.
vf-

weight 3,28gr. ; silver Ø 17mm.

obv. Laureate head right  L SEPT SEV PERT AVG IMP VIII
rev. Bacchus (Liber), standing front, head left, right hand on
head (crowning himself ?) and holding thyrsus in left hand;
at feet, left, leopard  LIBERO PATRI

As Liber was one of the guardian deities of Severus′ birthplace, Lepcis Magna, it was appropriate to accord him the title of “Pater” (father). For VIII this coin type in missing in Cohen and RIC, but apparently there is one example in the Ashmolean Museum collection, as BMC refers to. Extremely rare.

Cohen- ; RIC - ; BMC page 616 (Ashmolean) ; Sear- (cf. 6307) RRRR
vf

weight 24,01gr. ; orichalcum Ø 30mm.

obv. Laureate head of Severus right, surrounded by the legend;
L SEPT SEVE  -  RVS PIVS AVG
rev. Annona, draped, seated right, holding corn-ears in lap,
before her, prow of ship with small figures,surrounded by
the legend; RESTITVTOR VRBIS

In ancient Roman religion, Annona is the divine personification of the grain supply to the city of Rome. She is closely connected to the goddess Ceres, with whom she is often depicted in art. Annona, often as Annona Augusti, was a creation of Imperial religious propaganda, manifested in iconography and cult practice. Annona is typically depicted with a cornucopia (horn of plenty) in her arm, and a ship′s prow in the background, alluding to the transport of grain into the harbor of Rome. On coins, she frequently stands between a modius (grain-measure) and the prow of a galley, with ears of grain in one hand and a cornucopia in the other; sometimes she holds a rudder or an anchor.

In the propaganda of Claudius, the cult of Ceres Augusta made explicit the divine power that lay in the Imperial provision of the annona, the grain supply to the city. Annona Augusti appears on coins late in the reign of Nero, when the Cult of Virtues came into prominence in the wake of the Pisonian conspiracy. She embodied two of the material benefits of Imperial rule, along with Securitas Augusti, ″Augustan Security,″ and often appeared as part of a pair with Ceres. On Neronian coinage, Ceres, Annona, and Abundantia (″Abundance″) were closely associated.

Annona also appears on coins issued under Vespasian, where along with other Virtues she represents the restoration of confidence in the principate, and on the coinage of Titus, Domitianus, Trajanus, Hadrianus, Antoninus Pius, and Septimius Severus. She was a particular favorite in Trajanus′ propaganda, which sought to portray his reign as a renewal and a prosperous new era for humanity; hence Annona often appears with a symbolic child. In the context of Trajanic politics, Annona represented Rome′s grain independence from its traditional supplier Egypt.

Cohen 554 ; RIC 794A ; BMC 393, 181 ; Sear 6429 R
Attractive dark browm patina. Rare.  
vf- à f/vf

weight 3,24gr. ; silver Ø 19mm.

obv. Laureate head of Severus right, surrounded by the legend;
SEVERVS AVG PART MAX
rev. Severus, in military attire, standing left, sacrificing patera over tripod-altar 
and holding spear,surrounded by the legend; RESTITVTOR VRBIS

Septimius Severus was undeniably one of the most formidable and influential emperors in the history of the Roman Empire. His reign, which lasted from 193 AD until his death in 211 AD, was marked by a series of remarkable achievements and bold actions that solidified his reputation as a truly badass emperor. First and foremost, Severus′s military prowess was legendary. He successfully led several campaigns to expand and defend the Roman Empire′s borders. One of his most notable military feats was his campaign against the Parthian Empire in 197 AD. Despite facing challenging terrain and a formidable enemy, Severus managed to secure significant victories and even captured the Parthian capital city of Ctesiphon. This military triumph not only demonstrated his strategic genius but also showcased his unwavering determination and fearlessness on the battlefield.

Severus′s badassery wasn′t limited to military conquests alone. He was also known for his iron-fisted rule and unyielding determination to restore order and stability within the empire. Upon assuming power, Severus swiftly eliminated his rivals and consolidated his authority, thereby putting an end to the chaotic period known as the Year of the Five Emperors. His firm grip on power allowed him to implement a series of reforms aimed at strengthening the Roman state and revitalizing its economy.

Furthermore, Severus was a patron of the arts and architecture. Under his rule, numerous grand construction projects were undertaken, leaving a lasting impact on the urban landscape of Rome. One of his most renowned architectural endeavors was the construction of the famed Arch of Septimius Severus in the Roman Forum. This monumental arch served as a testament to his military achievements and was adorned with intricate reliefs depicting scenes from his victorious campaigns.

In light of these events we must view the issue of this denarius. It reflects on the recovery of the Roman Empire after the chaos that followed the death of Commodus. This was largely due to the policy of Septimius Severus, who was rightly awarded the title of  ″restitutor urbis″ (″restorer of the world″). According to the propaganda methods of the time, this image was widely spread through the issuance of this coin type.

Cohen 599 ; RIC 167a ; BMC 194, 202 ; Sear 6357
good portrait
vf

weight 2,48gr. ; silver Ø 18mm.

obv. Laureate head of Septimius right, surrounded
by the legend;  IMP CAE L SEP SEV PERT AVG COS II
rev. Virtus, helmeted, draped, standing left, holding spear in
right hand and parazonium in left hand, surrounded by the legend;
VIRTVTE AVG

Emesa (modern Homs, Syria) did not emerge into the historical record until the 1st century BC at the time of the Seleukids. It later became the capital of a kingdom ruled by the Emesene dynasty who gave the city its name. The city of Emesa grew to prominence after the new-found wealth of the Emesene dynasty, governed first by one of the sons of Sampsiceramus I, Iamblichus I who made it the kingdom′s capital. The Emesene proved their loyalty to Rome once more when they aided Caius Julius Caesar in his siege of Alexandria in 48 BC, by sending him army detachments. Subsequently, they became embroiled in the Roman Civil War between the rebelling Markus Antonius and the pro-Caesar Octavianus.

Relations with the Roman government grew closer when King Sohaemus inherited the kingship. Under him, Emesa sent the Roman military a regular levy of archers and assisted them in their siege of Jerusalem in 70. Sohaemus had died in 73. According to Maurice Sartre, the dynasty was very likely deprived of its kingdom, which was annexed to the Roman province of Syria, between 72 and the date of the construction of the Tomb of Sampsigeramus (78–79).

Under the Romans, Emesa began to show attributes of a Greek city-state and traces of Roman town planning still remain. Its transformation into a major city was completed under the reign of Emperor Antoninus Pius (138–161) when Emesa began to mint coins. By the 3rd century, it grew prosperous and well integrated into the Roman Orient. This was partly due to the marriage of Emperor Lucius Septimius Severus to a woman from a family of notables based in Emesa. Caracalla and Elagabalus each promoted Emesa to the rank of a colonia and granted ius Italicum to it. Elagabalus served as the high priest at the Temple of El-Gebal, the local Arab sun god. He brought the image of this god, a conical black stone (Baetyl), to the Elagabalium in Rome.

Emesa also grew wealthy because it formed a link in the eastern trade funnelled through Palmyra; however, this dependence also caused the city′s downfall when Palmyra sank to insignificance in the 4th century. Nonetheless, Emesa at this time had grown to rank with the important cities of Tyre, Sidon, Beirut, and Damascus. It also continued to retain local significance, because it was the market center for the surrounding villages. The city remained a strong center of paganism, because of the Temple of El-Gabal. After one of his victories over Zenobia, Emperor Aurelian visited the city to pay thanks to the deity. Due to the strength of the pagan sun cult in Emesa (the sun god El-Gabal), Christians initially did not settle in the city. Eusebius writes that Silvanus, the city′s first bishop, had no jurisdiction over the city, but the surrounding villages. He was executed by Emperor Julianus and succeeded by Bishop Antonius, the first bishop to settle Emesa. By the 5th century, Christianity was well established under the Byzantine Empire; however, few ancient Christian inscriptions exist in Homs today. Under the Byzantines, the city became an important center for Eastern Christianity. Initially a diocese, Emesa was given the status of ecclesiastical metropolis after the discovery of John the Baptist′s head in a nearby cave in 452. In 637 AD, the Rashidun army, led by Khalid ibn al-Walid, captured Emesa peacefully because its inhabitants agreed to pay a substantial ransom of 71,000 to 170,000 dinars. In the centuries that followed, the city would be ruled by many different Muslim leaders and was also besieged many times by the Byzantines and the Crusaders.

Cohen 771 ; RIC 431 ; BMC 99, 403 ; Sear 6390 R
Light off-centre strike. Rare.
vf

weight 11,32gr. ; bronze Ø 25mm.

obv. Laureate buste right, wearing cuirass and paludamentum
AY K Λ CЄΠ CЄVHPOC
rev. Tyche standing front, head turned to left, holding rudder and corcunopiae
VI  ΦAVCTINIA MAPKIANOΠOΛI

Varbanov 755 (R2)
vf- à f/vf

weight 2,81gr. ; bronze Ø 18mm.

obv. Laureate head of Severus right, surrounded by the legend;
AV KAIC CЄVHPOC
rev. Star within a crescent, surrounded by the legend;
NIKOΠOΛIT ΠΡOC ICTPO •

Nikopolis ad Istrum was an ancient town located near the village of Nikyup, the district of Veliko Turnovo, at 20 km from the town of Veliko Turnovo in Bulgaria. Nikopolis ad Istrum was founded by the Roman Emperor Trajanus after his victories over the Dacians in 101 and 106. It was built over an area of 30 hectares and is surrounded by fortress walls. The villas the craftsmen′s workshops and necropolises are to be found outside the walls. The town was planned according to the orthogonal system. The network of streets, the forum surrounded by an Ionic colonnade and many buildings, a two-nave room later turned into a basilica and other public buildings have been uncovered in this town. The rich architectures and sculptures show a similarity with those of the ancient towns in Asia Minor, Ephesus, Milletus, Palmyra, etc. Nikopolis ad Istrum minted its own coins; 900 different emissions for one century, some of them bearing images of its own public buildings. It was an episcopal centre during the early Byzantine period and was destroyed by the Avar invasions at the end of the 6th century. A Bulgarian medieval settlement arose upon its ruins later (10-14th cent.).

Star and moon symbols on Roman coins primarily represented divinity, the cosmos, and imperial propaganda, often symbolizing the deification of emperors or empresses, as seen in consecratio issues. They frequently symbolized the sun (star) and moon, fertility, or protection, with roots in ancient Near Eastern and Greek iconography.

BMC 17-18 ; AMNG.1436 ; Varbanov 2564 ; Sear GIC-
minor traces of oxidation
f/vf

weight 5,60gr. ; bronze Ø 20mm.

obv. Laureate bust of Severus right, surrounded by the legend;
AY K CЄΠ CЄVHPOC
rev. Kybele seated left, lion sitting beside her, surrounded by the legend;
AΓXIA ΛЄΩN

BMC- ; SNG.Copenhagen 437 ; AMNG.496 ; Varbanov 148 ; Sear GIC- R
vf

weight 6,53gr. ; bronze Ø 23mm.

obv. Laureate bust of Severus right, wearing cuirass
and paludamentum, seen from rear, surrounded by
the legend; AVT K  -  CЄBIPOC
rev. Tyche, turreted, seated left, holding patera,
surrounded by the legend; ΑΜΦΙΠΟ  -  ΛЄΙΤΩΝ

BMC p.58, no.122 ; SNG.Copenhagen 110 ;
Lindgren collection - (cf. 110) ; Weber collection- ;
Sear GIC 2115var. ; RPC online -- R
vf-

weight 46,73gr. ; bronze Ø 44mm.

obv. Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust of Severus right, seen from back,
surrounded by the legend; AVT•KAIC Λ CЄΠ•  CЄOYHPOC•ΠЄP•
rev. Severus, in military attire, standing left, holding patera in extended right
hand and holding spear in his left hand, crowned by Nikè (Victoria), who is
standing behind him with palm branch, in front Tyche standing facing, holding
cornucopiae in her left arm and resting her right arm on rudder, surrounded
by the legend; ЄP CTPAI NЄIKIOV, ΓЄPMHNΩN in exergue

Germe was a town of ancient Mysia, situated between the rivers Macestus and Rhyndacus. Its site is located near Kiresun in Turkey. During the Roman empire, coins were not issued by Germe before the Flavian period.  In the second and third centuries AD. the city experienced extensive coinage. Although little is known about the history of this city, it must have been a city of some size and prosperity at that time. In late Roman and Byzantine episcopal notices it appears as an archbishopric and was represented at the Council of Ephesus and Calcedon by the towns bishop.

provenance; ex. Righetti collection (Münzen & Medaillen, Auktion 15, lot 475)

Very impressive and heavy medaillion. Extremely rare.

BMC- ; SNG.Copenhagen-; SNG.von Aulock - ; SNG.Paris 984var.
Lindgren collection- ; Righetti collection 475 ; Weber collection- ;
Sear GIC-  RRR
vf

weight 26,86gr. ; bronze Ø 33mm.

obv. Laureate head right  IMP CAES L SEP SEVERVS PER AVG
rev. Mên standing right with Phrygian cap, holding Nikè on globe
and sceptre  COL CAES ANTIOCH S R

BMC 20 ; SNG.Copenhagen 27 ; SNG.von Aulock 4924
f+

weight 5,37gr. ; bronze Ø 22mm.

obv. Radiate head of Severus right, seen from rear,
surrounded by the legend; (L SEP SEV) PERT AVG IMP XI
rev. Mên standing facing, head right, holding sceptre and Nike;
foot on bucranium; to left, cock, surrounded by the legend;
ANTIOCH - I - (COLO)NI

The city of Antiochia in Pisidia was founded around 270 BC by Antiochos I Soter. It was probably intended as a military base to serve against invasions by the Galatians. Antiochia was located on the border between Pisidia and Phrygia. Before that time, there was already a sanctuary at this location, dedicated to the Anatolian god Mên Askaenos. During the time of Augustus, it was given the honorary title Caesarea and the city grew to become the capital of the region called Colonia Caesarea. Because of the fertile soil in the immediate vicinity, many Roman veterans settled in the city. Until the end of the 3rd century, Latin was the main language.

BMC- ; SNG.Copenhagen - ; SNG.von Aulock- ; Weber collection- ;
SNG.Tübingen- ; Lindgren collection- ; SNG.Pfälzer- (cf. 41)
SNG. Leypold- (cf. 1981-1983) ; SNG.France- (vgl.1119) ;
RPC online 74437var.  R
Attractive specimen with good portrait and dark patina. Rare.
vf

weight 8,66gr. ; silver Ø 23mm.

obv. Laureate head right  AV KAI Λ CЄΠTI CЄOYHPOC
rev. Mount Archaeus with naked figure, with globe and sceptre, on top
MHTPO KAICAP NEΩK, in exergue ЄT IS

BMC- ; SNG.Copenhagen-; SNG.von Aulock - ; Sydenham-  ; Sear GIC.- RRRR
Seems to be unpublished. Of the highest rarity.
vf

weight 3,07gr. ; silver Ø 18mm.

obv. Laureate head of Severus right, surrounded
by the legend; AV KAI Λ CЄΠT CЄOYHPOC
rev. Mount Archaeus with crater and trees, star on top,
surrounded by the legend; MHTPO KAICAPI NЄ,
ЄT Iς in exergue

Caesarea (modern Kayseri in Turkey) was originally called Mazaka or Mazaca (according to Armenian tradition, it was founded by and named after Mishak) and was known as such to Strabo, during whose time it was the capital of the Roman province of Cilicia, known also as Eusebia at the Argaeus, after Ariarathes V Eusebes, King of Cappadocia (163–130 BC). The name was changed again by Archelaus, last King of Cappadocia (36 BC–14 AD) and a Roman vassal, to "Caesarea in Cappadocia" (to distinguish it from other cities with the name Caesarea in the Roman Empire) in honour of Caesar Augustus, upon his death in 14 AD. When the Muslim Arabs arrived, they adapted the pronunciation to their writing resulting in Kaisariyah (note that letter C in classical Latin was pronounced K), and this eventually became Kayseri when the Seljuk Turks took control of the city in circa 1080, remaining as such ever since. The city stood on a low spur on the north side of Mount Argaeus (modern Mount Erciyes), a vulcano with the height of nearly 4.000 meter.

Seems to be unpublished in the important reference literature.
Extremely rare.

BMC- ; SNG.Copenhagen-; SNG.von Aulock - (cf. 6468) ; 
Sydenham- ; Sear GIC- RRR
vf/xf

weight 10,78gr. ; bronze Ø 25mm.

obv. Draped bust of Julia Domna right, hair waved and coiled at back,
surrounded by the legend; IVLIA AVGVSTA
rev. Hilaritas, draped, standing left, holding long palm in right
hand and cornucopiae in left hand, S - C across lower fields,
surrounded by the legend; HILARITAS

Cohen 74 ; RIC 877 ; BMC 312, 786 ; Sear 6641  R
attractive dark patina
vf

weight 2,10gr. ; silver Ø 19mm.

obv. Draped bust of Julia Domna right, hair waved and coiled at back,
surrounded by the legend; IVLIA AVGVSTA
rev. Pietas, veiled, draped, standing front, head left, at altar, raising
up both hands, surrounded by the legend; PIETAS PVBLICA

Cohen 156 ; RIC 574 ; BMC 165, 69 ; Sear 6601
minor flan cracks
vf à f/vf

weight 20,89gr. ; bronze Ø 30mm.
This coin was minted during the reign of Caracalla.

obv. Bust of Julia Domna, hair elaborately waved in ridges and turned up
low at the back, diademed, draped, right   IVLIA PIA FELIX AVG
rev. Felicitas, draped, standing left, sacrificing out of patera in right hand 
over altar and holding caduceus in left hand   SAECVLI FELICITAS S C

Julia Domna was the second wife of the Roman Emperor Septimius Severus and the mother of Emperors Geta and Caracalla. Unlike most Empresses, Julia travelled with her husband on military campaigns. She was well respected and credited for supporting Philosophy after Nero had previously banned it. She chose to commit suicide following the asssasination of her son Caracalla during a rebellion.

Cohen 178 ; RIC 590 ; BMC 470, 215 ; Sear 7119 R
Very attractive sestertius with good portrait. Rare.
vf

weight 2,64gr. ; silver Ø 18mm.

obv. Draped bust of Julia Domna right, hair waved and coiled at back,
surrounded by the legend; IVLIA DOMNA AVG
rev. Venus, with drapery falling below hips, standing with
back turned, head right, holding apple in extended right hand
and palm sloped to the left in left hand, resting left elbow on
column, surrounded by the legend; VENERI VICTR

Cohen 194 ; RIC 536 ; BMC 27, 49 ; Sear 6608
vf+/vf

weight 22,68gr. ; bronze 30mm.

obv. Draped bust of Julia Domna right, surrounded by the legend;
IVLIA AVGVSTA
rev. Vesta seated left, holding sceptre and palladium, 
surrounded by the legend; VESTA

Cohen 224 ; RIC 867 ; BMC 310,778 S
Some minor oxiodation, but coin with good details and nice portrait.
A scarce coin.
vf

Julia Domna was the wife of Septimius Severus.
BMC 258 ; Sydenham 456 ; SNG.Copenhagen- ; SNG. von Aulock- R
vf

Julia Domna was the wife of Septimius Severus
Sear.GIC.- ; BMC 35 ; SNG.Paris 1130 ; SNG.von Aulock 4932
vf+

weight 4,40gr. ; silver Ø 20mm.

obv. Draped bust leftt  IVLIA DOMNA AVG
rev. Mên with Phrygian cap standing right, left foot set on astragalos, holding sceptre and pinecone  IVL AVG COL PARLAIS

Parlais was a small city in the north of Pisidia. It was one of the many Roman settlements, built like forts, of the 1^st century BC. The language in these colonies was latin, which we can also see on the coins. The 2^nd and 3^rd century AD was a period of prosperity, but the first years of the 4^th century AD marked the beginning of the decline of Pisidian cities.

BMC 2 ; SNG.Copenhagen- ; SNG.von Aulock-  (cf.5137) ; SNG. Tübingen- ;
von Aulock, Kleinasien 16, 24b ; Lindgren collection- ; Weber collection- ;
SNG.Leypold - ; SNG.Pfälzer- ; SNG.Paris 1678 ; Sear GIC.2434 RR
Very rare and attractive coin with dark patina.
good vf

weight 3,38gr. ; silver Ø 16mm.

obv. Draped bust of Caracalla, bare-headed, right,
surrounded by the legend; M AVR ANTON CAES PONTIF
rev. Caracalla, in military attire, standing left, holding baton in right
hand and spear in left hand; to right, trophy, surrounded by the legend;
PRINCIPI IVVENTVTIS

As princeps iuventutis, ″First of the youth″ or, less often, princeps iuventum were during the Roman imperial period the designated successors of the princeps designated. The expression appears for the first time in the late republic. So called Marcus Tullius Cicero the one he valued Cato the Younger so. As a real and exclusive title, however, it was only after the establishment of the Principle through Augustus introduced. This organized the knightly young teams (and partly the mature young members of the mobility) as iuventus and left his grandchildren and presumtive successor Caius and Lucius Caesar 5 or 2 BC BC too principes iuventutis explain. With the rank of princeps iuventutis hardly seem to have been associated with concrete powers, but among other things Germanicus, Tiberius Gemellus, Nero, Domitian and Commodus highlighted by this title.

In AD 195, Severus created himself a dynastic continuity by proclaiming himself son of Marcus Aurelius and his seven years old son Bassianus was renamed after his new «grandfather», Marcus Aurelius Antoninus. Probably soon after Antoninus/Caracalla was made Caesar. The proclamation of Caracalla/Antoninus as Caesar was as well an affront to Clodius Albinus who was Caesar and an important ally since Septimius Severus had become emperor. In AD 197, only after Clodius Albinus had been defeated, Caracalla was additionally entitled imperator destinatus, princeps iuuentutis, and he was co-opted into two of the priestly collegia. Probably already in the autumn of the same year, Caracalla/Antoninus was made Augustus, then aged only nine. This child-emperor was soon co-opted in the other priesthoods and received the title of pater patriae at the end of AD 199, then eleven years old. Again, the following events and especially the following honours with the Augustus-title later in the same year, made the princeps iuuentutis title only of secondary, minor importance and it was dropped.

Cohen 505 ; RIC 13a ; BMC 54, 208 ; Sear 6677
usual short and irregular flan
vf-

weight 2,84gr. ; silver Ø 18mm.

obv. Draped bust of Caracalla, bare-headed, right,
surrounded by the legend; M AVR ANTONINVS CAES
rev. Minerva, helmeted, draped, wearing aegis on breast,
standing left, resting right hand on shield set on ground
and holding spear in left hand, surrounded by the legend;
SECVRITAS PERPETVA

The Latin word securitas, a complex word derived from sine, meaning ′without′, and cura, meaning ′troubling; solicitude; carefulness′, giving us securitas: to be without care and untroubled. During the first century AD, securitas and securitati perpetuae begin to appear on coins and medallions, hinting at an increasingly public and political dimension to the concept, not least in its connotations of imperial propaganda; the emperor gives the Roman people ′perpetual security′.

Cohen 562 ; RIC 2 ; BMC 50, 181 ; Sear 6678
attractive portrait
vf

weight 10,14gr. ; copper Ø 24mm.

obv. Laureate head of Caracalla right
ANTONINVS PIVS AVG BRIT
rev. Fortuna, draped, seated left, holding rudder in right
hand and cornucopiae in left hand; under seat, wheel
FORT RED P M TR P XIIII COS III P P S C

Cohen 86 ; RIC 488 ; BMC 427, 39 ; Sear 6986 S
Scarce coin with good portrait and dark patina.
vf à f/vf

weight 3,35gr. ; silver Ø 19mm.

obv. Laureate and draped bust of Caracalla right,
surrounded by the legend;  ANTONINVS PIVS AVG
rev. Mars, helmeted, naked except for cloak on left shoulder,
tanding left, right foot set on helmet, holding branch in right
hand and spear in left hand, surrounded by the legend;
PONTIF TR P VIII COS II

Cohen 420 ; RIC 80b ; BMC 251, 481 ; Sear 6858
some very minor scratches, otherwise attractive specimen
vf+

weight 3,38gr. ; silver Ø 19mm.

obv. Laureate head of Caracalla, bearded, right,
surrounded by the legend;  ANTONINVS PIVS AVG
rev. Concordia, draped, seated left, holding patera in extended
right hand and double cornucopiae in left hand, surrounded
by the legend: PONTIF TR P XIII COS III

Cohen 484 ; RIC 116a ; BMC 363, 29 ; cf. Sear 6871
wonderful detailed portrait
xf- à vf/xf

weight 3,37gr. ; silver Ø 18mm.

obv. Draped and laureate bust of Caracalla right,
surrounded by the legend;  ANTONINVS PIVS AVG
rev. Roma, helmeted, draped, standing left, holding Victory in extended right
hand and spear in left hand, surrounded by the legend: PONT TR P VI COS

Cohen 499 ; RIC 69 ; BMC 240, 435 ; Sear 6856
excellent portrait of the young co-emperor Caracalla
xf+/xf

weight 3,52gr. ; cast of bronze/tin Ø 17mm.

obv. Laureate head of Caracalla right,
surrounded by the legend;  ANTONINVS PIVS AVG BRIT
rev. Caracalla, in military attire, standing right,
holding transverse spear in both hands; behind, two standards,
surrounded by the legend: PROFECTIO AVG

This is a so-called Limes denarius:

These are thought to be coins minted either officially or pseudo-officially on the fringes of the empire out of necessity. Perhaps they were used to pay soldiers on the extreme frontiers of the Roman territories or maybe to bolster the economy of regions far from the normal means of monetary distribution. Whatever the reason, many of these coins exist.

The often gray appearance of the coins is striking. This is probably caused by a high tin content in the bronze used. Often, these coins were not minted but cast. Casting molds have been found at numerous excavation sites. For this reason, too, there would have been a preference for tin, which, after all, has a much lower melting point than copper. Another reason may have been that when these coins were minted/cast they had a silvery appearance. After all, tin basically has a clear color, which only darkens over time. These low value issues could have served troops on the front and been redeemable for good coinage when they returned to the stable regions.

There is another interesting version about the appearance of limes (defective) denarii: it is believed that such coins appeared for security reasons. When the inhabitants of the Roman Empire (for example, soldiers or merchants) went outside the Empire, overcoming the Limes (fortified border), the threat of being robbed increased sharply. Therefore, travelers took with them all-bronze or silver imitations of denarii, used them in border areas. Returning to the quiet lands, they exchanged them for a full-fledged silver coin. Thus, limes denarii, according to this version, already then played the role of a kind of credit money. That is, we are talking about coins that had a face value much higher than the actual.

cf. Cohen 508 ; cf. RIC 225 ; cf. BMC 373, 97 ; cf. Sear 6876 S
Dark toning. Interesting and scarce.
vf

weight 3,81gr. ; silver 19mm.

obv. Laureate and draped bust of Caracalla right, seen
from rear, surrounded by the legend;  ANTONINVS PIVS AVG
rev. Virtus, helmeted, draped, standing left, holding Victory in
extended right hand and spear in left hand, surrounded by the
legend: VIRTVS AVGG

♦ wonderful portrait of the young Caracalla ♦

Cohen 665 ; RIC 149 ; BMC 211, 300 ; Sear 6903
xf-/vf+

weight 3,14gr. ; silver 18mm.

obv. Laureate head of Caracalla right,
surrounded by the legend;  ANTONINVS PIVS AVG
rev. Caracalla, veiled, togate, standing left, sacrificing out of
patera in right hand over tripod and holding roll in left hand,
surrounded by the legend: VOTA SVSCEPTA X

For Vota Suscepta Decennalia (vows for the coming ten years of reign).

Cohen 689 ; RIC 179 ; BMC S524-526 ; cf. Sear 6909
small edge failure and some weaknesses
vf

weight 5,28gr. ; bronze 19mm.

obv. Draped bust right
rev. Basket with three corn-ears

BMC- ; SNG.Copenhagen- ; SNG.Tübingen- ; Evelpidis- ;
Lindgren collection- ; Weber collection-- RRR
about vf

weight 16,42gr. ; bronze Ø 27mm.

obv. Laureate and cuirassed buste of Caracalla left, Medusa head on breastplate,
surrounded by the legend; IMP C M AV ANTONINVS
rev. Victory walking left, holding wreath and palm, wheel at her feet,
MVNICIP before, STOBEN behind

Stobi or Stoboi was an ancient town of Paeonia, later conquered by Macedon, and finally turned into the capital of the Roman province of Macedonia Salutaris. It is located near Gradsko, North Macedonia, on the main road that leads from the Danube to the Aegean Sea and is considered by many to be the most famous archaeological site in North Macedonia. Stobi was built where the Erigon (Crna River) joins the Axios (Vardar), making it strategically important as a center for both trade and warfare.

SNG.Copenhagen 334var. ; SNG.ANS.739var. ;
cf. Josivoski page 269, 343 ; cf. Varbanov 3958 R
Attractive brown patina. Rare.
vf

weight 11,49gr. ; bronze Ø 26mm.

obv. Laureate and cuirassed bust right
rev. Kithara (Lyre)

ref. BMC 43 ; SNG.Copenhagen 16 ; SNG.Schweiz 937 ;
SNG.von Aulock- ; SNG.Leypold- R
Minor traces of oxidation.
vf

weight 5,31gr. ; bronze Ø 18mm.

obv. Laureate head of Caracalla right, surrounded by the legend;
ΑΥ Κ Μ ΑΥ -  ΑΝΤΩΝΙΝΟϹ ϹΕΒ
rev. Tyche standing left, holding rudder and cornucopia,
surrounded by the legend; ΠΕΡΓ - ΑΙΩΝ

Perga (also known as Perge)was an ancient and important city of Pamphylia, between the rivers Catarrhactes and Cestrus. Its history goes back to before 1000 BC. A treaty between the Hittite Great King Tudhaliya IV and his vassal, the king of Tarhuntassa, defined the latter′s western border at the city "Parha" and the "Kastaraya River". The river is assumed to be the classical Cestrus. West of Parha were the "Lukka Lands". Parha likely spoke a late Luwian dialect like Lycian and that of the neo-Hittite kingdoms.

Perga returns to history as a Pamphylian Greek city, and with Pamphylia came under successive rule by Persians, Athenians, and Persians again. Alexander the Great, after quitting Phaselis, occupied Perga with a part of his army. The road between these two towns is described as long and difficult.  Alexander′s rule was followed by the Diadochi empire of the Seleucids, then the Romans. Perge gained renown for the worship of Artemis, whose temple stood on a hill outside the town, and in whose honour annual festivals were celebrated. The coins of Perge represent both the goddess and her temple. In 46 AD, according to the Acts of the Apostles, St. Paul journeyed to Perga, from there continued on to Antiocheia in Pisidia, then returned to Perga where he preached the word of God (Acts 14:25). Then he left the city and went to Attaleia. As the Cestrus silted up over the late Roman era, Perga declined as a secular city. In the first half of the 4th century, during the reign of Constantine the Great (324-337), Perga became an important centre of Christianity, which soon became the official religion of the Roman Empire. The city retained its status as a Christian centre in the 5th and 6th centuries.

BMC - ; SNG.Copenhagen - ; SNG.von Aulock - ; Weber - ;
Lindgren collection- ; SNG.Paris 436 ; RPC online 80717 RR
Attractive dark patina. Very rare.
vf

weight 24,21gr. ; bronze Ø 32mm.

obv. Laureate and cuirassed bust right  ANTONINVS IMP PIVS AVG
rev.  Mên Askaenos standing facing, head right, wearing Phrygian cap, Nikè on globe
and sceptre, cock left at feet, S – R in field,   ANTIOCH COL CAES S R around

Mên is often found in association with Persianate elements, especially with the goddess Anahita. Lunar symbolism dominates his iconography. The god is usually shown with the horns of a crescent emerging from behind his shoulders, and he is described as the god presiding over the (Lunar) months. Strabo describes Mên as a local god of the Phrygians. Mên may be influenced by the (feminine) Zoroastrian lunar divinity Mah, but his male sex is apparently due to the Mesopotamian moon god Sin. Aşlialan (1988) in a study of Antioch in Pisidia has remarked that the people who settled on the acropolis in the Greek colonial era carried the Mên Askaenos cult down to the plain as Patrios Theos and in the place where the Augusteum was built there are some signs of this former cult as bucrania on the rock-cut walls. Autochthonous Mên as attested in Anatolia is to be distinguished from his reception as a "Phrygian god" in Rome during the imperial period. Here, Mên is depicted with a  Phrygian cap and a belted tunic. He may be accompanied by bulls, lions or a cock in religious artwork. The Roman iconography of Mên partly recalls that of Mithras, who also wears a Phrygian cap and is commonly depicted with a bull and symbols of the sun and moon.     

BMC-(vgl.38) ; SNG.Copenhagen- ; SNG.von Aulock-(vgl.4933) ; Pfälzer- ;
Sammlung Leypold- ; SNG.France- (vgl.1175=Elagabalus) RRR
Unpublished in the important reference works. Extremely rare.
Very attractive coin with good portrait and dark brown patina.
vf

weight 4,93gr. ; bronze Ø 23mm.

obv. Laureate head of Caracalla right, surrounded by the legend;
IMP CAES M AVR ANTONINVS
rev. Genius standing left, modius on head, holding branch and cornucopiae,
surrounded by the legend; ANTIOCH GENI COL CAE

cf. BMC 41-43 ; cf. SNG.Copenhagen 45 ; cf. SNG.von Aulock 4934 ;
cf. SNG.Paris 1181 (Elagabalus)
Attractive bronze coin with very sharp details.
xf-

weight 4,28gr. ; bronze Ø 22mm.

obv. Laureate head right (IMP CAES) M AVR ANTONI AV
rev. Genius of Antiochia standing left, holding olive-branch
and cornucopiae  ANTIOCH GEN COL CA

SNG.Copenhagen 45var.
vf-

Sear GIC.2640var. ; BMC 264var. ; Sydenham 467var. ;
SNG.Copenhagen 269var. ; SNG. von Aulock 6484 RR
f/vf à vf-

weight 10,81gr. ; silver Ø 26mm.
Third Consulate.

obv. Laureate head of Caracalla right, surrounded by the legend;
AVT KAI ANTΩNEINOC CE
rev. Eagle standing facing, head turned to left with wreath in beak and wings spread,
star between legs, surrounded by the legend;  ΔHMAPX EΞ VPATOC TO•Γ 
(Translation: Tribunitian power, consul for the third time)

Laodikea was a port city and an important colonia of the Roman Empire in ancient Syria, located near the modern city of Latakia. It was also called Laodikea in Syria or Laodicea ad mare. For a short period of time under Septimius Severus, it became the capital of Roman Syria, and subsequently, it became the capital of the Eastern Roman province of Theodorias from 528 AD until 637 AD.

BMC 360 (Antiochia) ; Prieur 1173A ; cf. McAlee, Severan Group 4, 33
Mionnet vol.V, page 179, no.252 R
Minor oxidation. Rare.
vf-/vf

weight 3,45gr. ; silver Ø 20mm.

obv. Bust of Plautilla, hair coiled in ridges, fastened in bun at back, 
draped, right, surrounded by the legend; PLAVTILLAE AVGVSTAE
rev. Concordia, draped, standing left, holding patera in extended
right hand and sceptre in left hand, surrounded by the legend;
CONCORDIA AVGG

Cohen 2 ; RIC 359 ; BMC 398 ; Sear 7065var. S
vf+/vf

weight 3,83gr. ; silver Ø 20mm.

obv. Bust of Plautilla, hair firmly waved and drawn down on neck,
draped, right, surrounded by the legend; PLAVTILLA AVGVSTA
rev. Pietas, draped, standing right, holding sceptre in right hand and
child in left arm, surrounded by the legend; PIETAS AVGG

Cohen 16 ; RIC 367 ; BMC 237, 422 ; Sear 7072
minor flan crack, otherwise very attarctive specimen with fine details
xf-

weight 28,35gr. ; bronze Ø 32mm.

obv. Draped bust right, wearing paludamentum  P SEPT GETA CAES PONT
rev. Felicitas standing left, holding caduceus and cornucopiae
FELICITAS PVBLICA S C

This coin type seems to be unpublished with this obverse legend. Extermely rare.

Cohen - (cf. 46) ; RIC - (cf. 109) ; BMC- ; Sear- RRR
Some light tooling and re-engraving. Attractive dark patina.
vf/vf-

weight 9,38gr. ; copper Ø 26mm.

obv. Bust of Geta, bare-headed, bearded, draped, cuirassed, right,
surrounded by the legend; P SEPTIMIVS GETA CAES
rev. Minerva, helmeted, draped, seated left, feeding snake coiled
round olive-tree and holding sceptre in left hand; on chair sphinx;
behind, shield, with owl above, surrounded by the legend;
PONTIF COS II, S C in exergue 

Cohen 110 ; RIC 148 ; BMC 354, 863 ; Sear 7226  R
a rare coin type
vf-

weight 2,28gr. ; bronze Ø 16mm.

obv. Draped bust right  Π CEΠTI ΓETAC
rev. Moon and star  MAPKIANOΠOΛITΩN

BMC- ; SNG.Copenhagen -; AMNG.707 ; Varbanov 1103 (R3) R
Very attractive coin with dar patina. Rare.
xf

weight 6,10gr. ; Ø 22mm.

Exceptional quality for this extremely rare coin. About as struck.

BMC- ; SNG.Copenhagen- ; SNG.von Aulock- ; SNG.Paris- ;
Slg.Leypold 332var. RRR
Very attractive dark patina.
xf à xf+

weight 2,82gr. ; silver Ø 20mm.

obv. Laureate and cuirassed bust of Macrinus right with long beard,
surrounded by the legend; IMP C M OPEL SEV MACRINVS AVG
rev. Felicitas, draped, standing left, holding long caduceus in right
hand and cornucopiae in left hand, surrounded by the legend; 
FELICITAS TEMPORVM

Cohen 15 ; RIC 60b ; BMC 63 ; Sear 7331var.   S
Beautiful lustrous specimen. Near mintstate. Scarce coin.
unc-/unc

weight 4,54gr. ; silver Ø 23mm.

obv. Cuirassed and radiated bust of Macrinus right.
surrounded by the legend; IMP CM OPEL SEV MACRINVS AVG
rev. Jupiter standing left, holding thunderbolt and sceptre,
protecting small figure of Macrinus standing at his feet,
surrounded by the legend;  IOVI CONSERVATORI

Cohen 38 ; RIC 77 ; BMC 19 R
vf

weight 2,37gr. ; silver Ø 18mm.

obv. Laureate and cuirassed bust of Macrinus, cropped bearded, right
surrounded by the legend; IMP C M OPEL SEV MACRINVS AVG
rev. Fides standing front, head turned to left, holding standard in each hand,
holding two standards; a standard on each side, surrounded by the legend;
PONT MAX TR P

This reverse type is only known with the legend FIDES MIL P M TR P. On the specimen offered here however we see the legend; PONT MAX TR P . It is unpublished in the relevant reference literature. Coin of the highest rarity, possibly unique.

Cohen - ; RIC - ; BMC -- ; Sear - RRRR
minor traces of oxidation
vf-/vf

weight 2,67gr. ; silver Ø 19mm.

obv. Laureate and cuirassed bust of Macrinus right with long beard,
surrounded by the legend; IMP C M OPEL SEV MACRINVS AVG
rev. Felicitas, draped, standing left, holding long caduceus in right
hand and cornucopiae in left hand, surrounded by the legend; 
PONTIF MAX TR P COS P P

Cohen 65 ; RIC 21b ; BMC 35 ; Sear 7344 S
Wonderful portrait. Scarce coin.
xf-/vf+

weight 9,62gr. ; copper Ø 24,5mm.

obv. Laureate and cuirassed bust right  IMP CAES M OPEL SEV MACRINVS AVG
rev. Macrinus in triumphal quadriga left, holding branch and scepter, crowned by
Victory standing behind him  PONTIF MAX TR P II COS II PP  S C

Sear 7427 ; Cohen 107 ; RIC 162 ; BMC 134 R
Rare coin with darkgreen patina.
vf/vf-

weight 5,24gr. ; silver Ø 21,5mm.

obv. Radiate bust of Macrinus right, seen from rear, wearing
cuirass and paludamentum, surrounded by the legend;
IMP C M OPEL SEV MACRINVS AVG
rev. Securitas enthroned left, holding scepter and propping head on left hand,
altar at feet, surrounded by the legend;  SECVRITAS TEMPORVM

Coh.126var. ; RIC 95 ; BMC 27 ; Sear 7325var.  R
vf

weight 8,19gr. ; bronze Ø 23mm.

obv. Laureate bust of Macrinus right, wearing cuirass and paludamentum,
surrounded by the legend; AYT K OΠEΛΛIOC CEYH MAKPEINOC
rev. Tyche standing left, wearing kalathos, holding rudder and cornucopia,
surrounded by the legend; VΠ ΠONTIANOV MAPKIANOΠOΛEITΩN

minted in the name of Pontianus, consular legate (governor)

Wonderful specimen with excellent portrait and dark green patina. Rare.

Varbanov 1132
xf-/vf+

weight 13,28gr. ; bronze Ø 29mm.

obv. Laureate and cuirassed bust of Macrinus right, surrounded
by the legend; AΥ K M OΠ CEOΥ  -  HΡ MAKΡINO
rev. On the left, the Tyche of Seleucia standing left, turreted, holding rudder
and cornucopiae, and being crowned by Macrinus, on the right, standing left
in military dress, holding a wreath in his right hand and a spear in his left,
surrounded by the legend; KAΛV - K - AΔNΩ, in exergue; CЄLЄVKЄ / ΩN

two countermarks on the obverse: Δ with o in centre (triangle with small
circle in the centre) and KA-monogram (for Kalykadnum). Rare in this combination.

BMC page 135, 31 ; SNG Levante 753 ; SNG Paris 989 ; Ziegler 447
for countermarks: Howgego 618 & 670
f/vf

weight 12,24gr. ; silver 25mm.

obv. Draped and cuirassed bust of Macrinus right, surrounded by the legend;
AV K M OΠЄ CЄ MAKPЄINOC CЄB
rev. Eagle seen from front, wings spread, head right and wreath in beak,
standing on filleted thyrsos, surrounded by the legend; 
ΔHMAPK EΞ YΠATO Δ

Only 3 examples noted by Prieur. Extremely rare.

The city of Cyrrhus in Syria was founded by Seleucus Nicator shortly after 300 BC, and was named after the Macedonian city of Cyrrhus. Its ruins are located in northern Syria, near the Turkish border about 70 km northwest of Aleppo and 24 km west of Killis, in Turkey. Cyrrhus was the capital of the extensive district of Cyrrhestica, between the plain of Antioch and Commagene. It was taken by the Armenian Empire in the 1st century BC, then became Roman when Pompey took Syria in 64 BC. By the 1st century AD, it had become a Roman administrative, military, and commercial center on the trade route between Antioch and the Euphrates River crossing at Zeugma, and minted its own coinage. It was the base of the Roman legion Legio X Fretensis. The Sassanid Persian Empire took it several times during the 3rd century. In the 6th century, the city was embellished and fortified by Byzantine Emperor Justinian. It was however taken by the Muslims in 637 and known at that time under the name of Qorosh and later by the Crusaders in the 11th century. Nur ad-Din Zangi recaptured it in 1150. Muslim travelers of the 13th and 14th century report it both as a large city and as largely in ruins.

cf. SNG.Copenhagen - ; cf. Bellinger page 48, no.121 ; 
Prieur 916 ; cf. Sear GIC.4946 RRR
f/vf

weight 13,19gr. ; silver 26mm.

obv. Laureate head of Macrinus right, surrounded by the legend;
AV K M OΠ CЄOV MAKPЄINOC C
rev. Eagle standing facing, head and tail left, with wings spread,
holding wreath in beak, star between legs, surrounded by the legend;
ΔHMAPK EΞ YΠATOC Π Π

The site of Laodicea ad Mare (modern Latakia, Syria) in Phoenicia has been inhabited since the 2nd millennium BC. By the Phoenicians it was known as Ramitha. The Greeks called it Leuke Akte (″White Coast″). The city was refounded by Seleukos I Nicator (301-281 BC), who renamed it in honour of his mother Laodice. It was a major port for the Seleukid Kingdom. Pompey the Great created the new Roman province of Syria in 64 BC. The Romans modified the name to Laodicea ad Mare. In 193, Laodicea was sacked by the governor of Syria, Pescennius Niger, in his revolt against Septimius Severus. In 194, Septimius Severus reorganized Syria into five new provinces. One of these, Coele-Syria, including all of northern Syria, briefly had its capital in Laodicea before reverting to Antioch. Septimius sought to punish Antioch for having supported Pescennius Niger. Septimius Severus endowed Laodicea with four colonnaded streets, baths, a theater, a hippodrome, numerous sanctuaries and other public buildings in the city. The city was a key strategic seaport for Roman Syria.

BMC 392 ; SNG.Copenhagen 368 ; Bellinger 73 ; 
Prieur 1182 ; Sear GIC.2953 R
vf-

weight 12,87gr. ; silver 25mm.

obv. Laureate head of Macrinus right, surrounded by the legend;
AVT K M OΠ CЄ MAKPЄINOC CЄB
rev. Eagle standing facing, head and tail left, with wings spread, 
holding wreath in beak, letter H above left wing, between legs
radiate and draped bust of Shamash left, surrounded by the legend; 
ΔHMAPK EΞ YΠATOC Π Π

The God Shamash was worshipped in Emesa. Originally this God was named Utu, later worshipped by the East Semitic Akkadian-speaking Assyrians and Babylonians as Shamash. It was the ancient Mesopotamian sun god, god of justice, morality, and truth, and the twin of the Mesopotamian goddess Inanna (Ishtar in the Assyrio-Babylonian language), the Queen of Heaven. His main temples were in the cities of Sippar and Larsa. He was believed to ride through the heavens in his sun chariot and see all things that happened in the day. He was the enforcer of divine justice and was thought to aid those in distress. According to Sumerian mythology, he helped protect Dumuzid when the galla demons tried to drag him to the Underworld and he appeared to the hero Ziusudra after the Great Flood. In the Epic of Gilgamesh, he helps Gilgamesh defeat the ogre Humbaba.

cf. SNG.Copenhagen 312 ; cf. Prieur 987-989 ; Sear GIC.- R
Minor weakness.
vf

weight 12,45gr. ; silver 25mm.

obv. Laureate and draped bust of Macrinus right, seen from back,
surrounded by the legend; AVT K M OΠ CЄ MAKPINOC CЄ
rev. Eagle standing facing, head and tail left, with wings spread,
holding wreath in beak; murex shell between legs, surrounded by
the legend; ΔHMAPK EΞ YΠATOC Π Π

Four specimens cited by Prieur. Rare.

Bellinger p.88, no.2 ; Prieur 1554 ; Sear GIC.2964var.   R
Minor traces of oxidation. Dark patina.
vf-

weight 3,53gr. ; silver Ø 19mm.

obv. Draped and cuirassed bare-headed bust right, surrounded
by the legend; M OPEL ANT DIADVMENIAN CAES
rev. Diadumenian, in military attire, standing facing, head right, 
holding standard and scepter, two more standards set in ground
to right, surrounded by the legend;  PRINC IVVENTVTIS

Sear 7449 ; Cohen 3 ; RIC 102 ; BMC 87 S
Nearly uncirculated lustrous coin, with excellent details
and beautifully toned. Rare this nice.
unc-/unc

weight 9,24gr. ; bronze Ø 25mm.

obv. Draped and cuirassed bare-headed bust right,
surrounded by the legend; M OΠ ANTΩ  -  NINOC ΔI K
rev. Tyche standing left, holding rudder and cornucopiae,
surrounded by the legend; KIBY  -  PAIΩN

Kibyra, also known as Cibyra Magna, was the principal city of the Cibyratis region. This confederation of towns and villages from the area of Pisidia was created in the 2nd second century BCE. Its core was formed by four cities - Kibyra, Bubon, Balubura, and Oenoanda, known collectively as Tetrapolis. In this political entity, Kibyra had two votes, and the remaining cities - one vote each. As the most influential member of the federation, Kibyra could muster 30,000 infantry and 2,000 horse riders. The federation had a constitution and was governed by tyrants who demonstrated moderate political views. Moagetes, the son of Pancrates, was the last tyrant of Kibyra. Roman general, Lucius Licinius Murena, put an end to the federation in 83 BC, during the Second Mithridatic War. The territory of the federation was then divided, and the city Kibyra was attached to Phrygia and incorporated into the Roman province of Asia.

Kibyra produced quality ironwork though suffered commercially as it was not on major trade routes. That is not to say it was not cosmopolitan. The writer Strabo mentions that four languages were spoken in the city in the first century, namely, Greek, Pisidian, Solymian and Lydian, though Greek predominated. The ruins of the city now lie near Horzoum in Turkey close to geological faults which cause occasional seismic activity.

The provincial coins considered here coins bear no mark of value, nor do their sizes assist in any classification into denominations. Jones reports that an official rate of 16 assaria to a denarius is attested for Kibyra at around 100AD, some time before the Diadumenian examples were minted, though other evidence hints that this exchange rate may have been relatively stable for a considerable time, possibly until the late 3rd century. The sizes and weights of these coins ′taken on their own′ do not give any other clue as to the mechanics of the monetary system of the day. The Roman provincial coins of Kibyra in Phrygia are large and impressive, as well as competently manufactured, and were issued for every emperor throughout the Severan Dynasty, including the Macrinus interlude. There are only five types of coin issued which bears the portrait of Diadumenianus and of these one is shared with Macrinus in what must rank as one of the most impressive Roman provincial coins ever issued.

BMC 57-59 ; SNG von Aulock 3740 ; SNG.Copenhagen 292 ;
Mionnet III, 390; Mabbott 1893 ; Paris 750-751 ; RPC V.2 3705
Attractive specimen with excellent portrait.
xf- à vf/xf

weight 2,24gr. ; silver Ø 17mm.

obv. Bust of Elagabalus right, seen from rear,
wearing cuirass and paludamentum, surrounded
by the legend; ANTONINVS PIVS FEL AVG
rev. Two standards with vexillum surmounted by legionary eagle
to either side, surrounded by the legend; CONCORDIA MILIT

Cohen 15 ; RIC 187 ; BMC 275 ; Sear 7505 S
Some minor scratches. Scarce coin type.
f/vf à vf-

weight 3,27gr. ; silver Ø 17mm.

obv. Bust of Elagabalus right, seen from rear,
wearing cuirass and paludamentum, surrounded
by the legend; ANTONINVS PIVS FELIX AVG
rev. Two standards with vexillum surmounted by legionary eagle
to either side, surrounded by the legend; CONCORDIA MILIT

variant: with FELIX instead of the usual FEL. Unpublished in
the relevant reference literature. Extremely rare as such.

Cohen 15var.; RIC 187var. ; BMC 275var. ; Sear 7505var. RRR
minor traces of oxidation
f/vf

weight 2,67gr. ; silver Ø 18mm.

obv. Bust of Elagabalus right, seen from rear,
wearing cuirass and paludamentum, surrounded
by the legend; IMP ANTONINVS AVG
rev. Hilaritas, draped, standing left, holding wreath in right
hand and long palm in left hand; to either side, child,
surrounded by the legend; HILARITAS AVG

This coin type, with this obverse legend, is only published for Rome. This specimen is due to style unmistakenly struck in Antiochia on the Orontes. Until now only specimens with the obverse legend ANTONINVS PIVS FEL AVG were published for this mint. Extremely rare as such.

cf. Cohen 56 ; RIC 85 (Rome) and 190var. ;
BMC 282var. ; Sear 7517var.  RRR
vf-

weight 3,07gr. ; silver Ø 19mm.

obv. Draped and laureate bust of Elagabalus right, seen from rear,
surrounded by the legend; IMP ANTONINVS AVG
rev. Pax, draped, walking left, holding olive-branch in right
hand and sceptre in left hand, surrounded by the legend;
P M TR P II COS II P P

Cohen 143 ; RIC 21 ; BMC 97 ; Sear 7530
wonderful portrait
xf-

weight 4,40gr. ; silver Ø 23mm.

obv. Draped, cuirassed and radiated buste right  
IMP ANTONINVS AVG
rev. Providentia standing facing, head left, legs crossed, resting
left arm on column, holding rod and cornucopiae, globe at feet to left  
PM TR P II COS II PP

Cohen 145 ; RIC 22 ; BMC 99
vf

weight 3,32gr. ; silver Ø 20mm.

obv. Laureate and draped bust right, surrounded by the legend;
IMP ANTONINVS PIVS AVG
rev. Sol, radiate, naked except for cloak over left shoulder,
standing front, head right, holding whip in left hand, star in left field,
surrounded by the legend; P M TR P IIII COS III P P

At the time of Emperor Elagabalus we see a revival of the Sol worship, but this was a completely different Sol from earlier times. This Sol Invictus was a Syrian sun god, Elagabal, whose cult was first promoted in Rome under Elagabalus. Elagabalus (218–222) built a temple to him as Sol Invictus (Elagabalium) on the Palatine and attempted to make his worship the principal religion at Rome, without much success. His cousin Alexianus, the later Severus Alexander, who was also a priest of the sun god Elagabal at the Syrian town of Emesa also wanted to promote the worship of Sol Invictus, but also with little success. The emperor Aurelian (270–275) later reestablished the worship and erected a magnificent temple to Sol in the Campus Agrippae. The worship of Sol as special protector of the emperors and of the empire remained the chief imperial cult, in particular during the early reign of Constantine the Great, as we can see on his coins. This remained until it was replaced by Christianity.

Cohen 182 ; RIC 38 ; BMC 240 note and 245 ; cf. Sear 7533
Excellent lustrous coin with very sharp details. Near mintstate.
unc/unc-

weight 2,72gr. ; silver Ø 18mm.

obv. Laureate and draped bust right, small "horn" over head,
surrounded by the legend; IMP ANTONINVS PIVS AVG
rev. Elagabalus, in Syrian priestly robes, standing right,
sacrificing out of patera in right hand over lighted altar,
holding upright cypress branch in left hand, star in right field, 
surrounded by the legend; SAECERD DEI SOLIS ELAGAB

variant: with SAECERD instead of the usual SACERD. Not published
in the relevant reference literature and extremely rare as such.

Elagabalus was emperor from 218-222 AD, having been put in place by his grandmother Julia Maesa at just 14 years old, and was assassinated by the Praetorian Guard at the age of 18. He′s most well known for his allegedly deviant sexual behavior and for his devotion to the Eastern sun deity Elagabalus, where he got his posthumous ″nickname″.

This denarius depicts on the obverse the head of Elagabalus and on the reverse the emperor offering a sacrifice. The inscription on the obverse refers to the emperor as imperator, or commander in chief of the army, Antoninus, Pius, and Augustus. The name Antoninus associated the emperor with his predecessor Caracalla of whom he pretended to be an illegitimate son. The inscription on the reverse refers to the emperor as summus sacerdos Augustus or ″the chief imperial priest″. The reverse depicts the emperor, holding a patera with his right hand and a cypresse branch with his left hand. The emperor is depicted as dressed in a long tunic which has been usually interpreted as being of eastern origin; a fact which would comfort Cassius Dio′s narrative when he writes that Elagabalus was frequently seen in public ″clad in the barbaric dress which the Syrian priests use″ (see Cassius Dio, Roman History LXXX.11). This fact has been however questioned by Lucinda Dirven who considers that Elagabalus′s dress did not look like the conventional attire of Syrian priests but corresponded to the dress, probably of Germanic origin, that many emperors wore at the beginning of the third century to gain the favour of their soldiers.

The presence of a ″horn″ upon the head of the emperor on the obverse of the type has raised many questions regarding the nature of the object but also its meaning. In reality the shape of the object does not correspond exactly to that of a horn. A very plausible, but controversial, explanation that has been given to interpret this object has been formulated by Elke Krengel. She has argued that it would correspond to the end of a dried bull′s penis which would have symbolized fertility and strength and whose aim would have been to ensure the transfer of the power of the Syrian sun god, El Gebal (Heliogabaal or Sol Invictus), to the high priest, here the emperor. These various elements show that, in the case of this specific issue, the emperor may perform the sacrifice for the Syrian god.

Cohen 246var. ; RIC 131var. ; cf. BMC 225note ; Sear 7542var. RRR
vf

weight 6,75gr. ; bronze Ø 25mm.

obv. Laureate and draped bust right
rev. Hygieia standing right, feeding serpent from patera

BMC- ; SNG.Copenhagen- ; SNG.München- ; Lindgren collection- ;
Varbanov 1465var. RR
vf

weight 16,28gr. ; bronze 31mm.

obv. Laureate and cuirassed bust left, holding spear and shield ornamented 
with galloping quadriga left  M AVPH ANTΩNINOC AVΓ
rev. Octastyle temple, shield in pediment  BIΘVINIEΩN, below temple AΔIANΩN

Sear GIC.3047 ; SNG.Tübingen- ; Lindgren collection- ; SNG.von Aulock 315-317 ;
Weber collection- ; SNG.Copenhagen- ; Sammlung Leypold- ; SNG.Schweiz- RRR
f/vf à vf-

weight 5,29gr. ; bronze Ø 23mm.

obv. Laureate head right
rev. Three standards

BMC 93 ; Weiser- ; SNG.Copenhagen 513 ; SNG.von Aulock- ;
Sammlung Leypold 170 R
vf

weight 4,56gr. ; bronze Ø 20mm.

obv. Radiate head of Elagabalus right, surrounded by the legend;
ΑΥΤ Κ Μ ΑV  -  ΑΝΤΩΝΙΝΟ - C
rev. Prize crown on tripod, ΑΝΑΖΑΡ  -  ΒΟΥ TPIЄ, Γ Β in exergue

According to the Suda, the original name of the place was Cyinda or Kyinda or Quinda. A city in Cilicia called Kundu rebelled against the Assyrian king Esarhaddon in 7th century BC, but it′s unclear if there is a connection. At least it′s known a city called Anazarbos (also Anazarba, Anazarbon, Anazarbus), situated on the river Pyramus, existed in the first century BC and was a part of the small client-kingdom of Tarcondimotus I until it was annexed by Rome. Its later name was Caesarea ad Anazarbum, and there are many coins of the place in which it is both named Anazarbus and Caesarea. On the division of Cilicia it became the chief place of the Roman province of Cilicia Secunda, with the title of Metropolis. Early in the sixth century, in the reign of Eastern Roman emperor Justin I, it was named Justinopolis. The city suffered from an earthquake in 526 and was rebuilt by Justinianus I and renamed Justinianopolis. But the old name persisted, and when Thoros I, king of Lesser Armenia, made it his capital early in the 12th century, it was known as Anazarva, which is also the name of the city today.

Coins relating to sports and games are termed ′agonistic′ types. A category of agonistic coins showing one or more ′prize urns′ became popular in the Imperial period, in particular in the third century AD. These ′urns′ were prizes awarded to winners at the games. Like our modern sports trophies, the items show some variety. In most cases one or more urns are placed on a table, but in this case it is placed on a tripod, which is quite unusual. From this cointype only 2 specimens are known, but with the reverse legend ΑΝΑΖΑΡΒΟΥ. With this reverse legend is seems to be unpublished. Extremely rare, possibly unique.

SNG.Copenhagen- ; SNG.von Aulock- ; Weber collection- ;
McClean- ; SNG.Schweiz (Levante) - ; SNG.Paris - ; BMC- ;
Sear GIC- ; Lindgren coll.- ; SNG.Leypold - ; Ziegler - ;
RPC online VI, - (cf. 30091 ; 2 specimens listed) RRRR
Very attractive specimen with dark patina.
vf à vf+

weight 8,41gr. ; bronze Ø 24mm.
Struck in year 146 (= 218-219 AD) of the Era of Flaviopolis

obv. Laureate head right M AVP ANTΩNЄINOC
rev. Bust of Athena right, wearing crested Corinthian helmet
FLAVIOΠOΛЄITΩN ЄT SMP    

Flaviopolis used to be identified with the modern Kozan (Armenian Sis). But modern studies tells us that Flaviopolis is almost certainly identifiable with modern Kadirli on the river Savrun at the NE corner of the plain and ca. 160 km from Adana. Kozan (120 km NE of Adana) is out of the question since it has virtually no pre-Armenian remains and no trace of an ancient road thither from the ruins of Anazarbos (Anavarza) 35 km S. According to the Antonine Itinerary, however, Flaviopolis was the first city from Anazarbos on the road N to Kokossos (Göksun), and a stretch of this road, with milestones in situ, still exists. Also, ca. 5 km N of Anavarza, a Roman bridge spans the Savrun at Tozlu and a number of inscriptions were found there in 1949. Most scholars agree on the identification of Flaviopolis with Kadirli, for epigraphic evidence there proves the existence of a city whose magistrates were demiurgi. Flaviopolis was founded in A.D. 74 by Vespasian, as part of an imperial program for the urbanization of the Cilician Plain. Until then the rural hinterland, as well as the city of Anazarbos, was probably administered by the Tracondimotid dynasty from Hieropolis Castabala. Some mosaic floors, inscriptions, and building blocks have been found at Kadirli, and a 6th c. church has been excavated. Flaviopolis was bishopric of Cilicia Secunda in the Christian era.

BMC 9 ; SNG.Paris 2189 ; SNG.Levante- ; Ziegler- ;
Waddington 4293 ; SNG.Leypold 2357 ; Sear GIC.3090 R
Very attractive and rare coin with a dark green patina.
good vf

weight 3,48gr. ; silver Ø 19mm.

obv. Draped bust of Julia Paula, hair waved and fastened in plait, right,
around the text; IVLIA PAVLA AVG
rev. Concordia, draped, seated left, holding patera in extended right hand,
star in left field, around the text; CONCORDIA

On Roman coins, the goddess Concordia represents harmony, agreement, and unity, appearing frequently during political upheaval or to promote imperial stability. As the personification of ″with one heart″ (Latin: concordia), she symbolizes peace within the state, harmony between the emperor and the Senate, or marital harmony within the imperial family (often titled Concordia Augusta).

Cohen 6 ; RIC 211 ; BMC 172 ; Sear 7655 S
Minor flan crack. Attractive tone.
vf

weight 2,88gr. ; silver Ø 19mm.

obv. Draped bust of Julia Soaemias, hair waved and turned
up low at the back, right, surrounded by the legend; IVLIA SOAEMIAS AVG
rev. Venus, diademed, draped, standing left, holding apple in extended
right hand and sceptre in left hand, star in right field, surrounded by the legend;
VENVS CAELESTIS

Cohen 8 ; RIC 241 ; BMC 49 ; Sear 7719 S
vf

weight 2,93gr. ; silver Ø 19mm.

obv. Draped bust of Julia Soaemias, hair waved and turned up low at
the back, right, surrounded by the legend; IVLIA SOAEMIAS AVG
rev. Venus, diademed, draped, seated left, holding apple in extended
right hand and sceptre in left hand; at feet, child, surrounded by the
legend; VENVS CAELESTIS

Cohen 14 ; RIC 243 ; BMC 55 ; Sear 7720 S
Excellent coin with fine details. Near mintstate. Rare this nice.
unc-

weight 2,82gr. ; silver Ø 20mm.

obv. Draped bust of Julia Maesa, hair waved and turned up low
at the back, right, surrounded by the legend; IVLIA MAESA AVG
rev. Pietas, draped, standing left, sacrificing with raised right hand
over lighted altar and holding incense-box in left hand, surrounded
by the legend; PIETAS AVG

Cohen 29 ; RIC 263 ; BMC 73 ; Sear 7754
vf-

weight 4,67gr. ; silver Ø 22mm.

obv. Bust of Julia Maesa, diademed, hair waved and turned up low
at the back, draped, on crescent, right, surrounded by the legend;
IVLIA MAESA AVG
rev. Pietas, draped, standing left, sacrificing with raised right hand
over lighted altar and holding incense-box in left hand, surrounded
by the legend; PIETAS AVG

This is the only Antoniniani type minted in the name of Julia Maesa.
Rare.

Cohen 30 ; RIC 264 ; BMC 70 ; Sear 7747
vf+ à vf/xf

weight 5,05gr. ; silver Ø 22mm.

obv. Bust of Julia Maesa, diademed, hair waved and turned up low
at the back, draped, on crescent, right, surrounded by the legend;
IVLIA MAESA AVG
rev. Pietas, draped, standing left, sacrificing with raised right hand
over lighted altar and holding incense-box in left hand, surrounded
by the legend; PIETAS AVG

This is the only Antoniniani type minted in the name of Julia Maesa.
Rare.

Cohen 30 ; RIC 264 ; BMC 70 ; Sear 7747
vf-

weight 20,73gr. ; bronze Ø 31mm.

obv. Draped and diademed bust right  IVLIA MAESA AVGVSTA
rev. Pietas standing left, sacrificing over altar and holding box of incense
PIETAS AVG S C

Sear 7763 ; Cohen 31var. ; RIC 414 ; BMC 389 R
Some traces of oxidation. Rare cointtype.
f/vf

weight 3,51gr. ; silver Ø 18mm.

obv. Draped bust right  IVLIA MAESA AVG
rev. Pudicitia seated left, holding scepter  PVDICITIA

Cohen 36 ; RIC 268 ; BMC 76 ; Sear 7756
Wonderful coin with excellent details. Near mintstate.
about unc

weight 3,45gr. ; silver Ø 19mm.

obv. Draped bust of Julia Maesa, hair waved and turned up low
at the back, right, surrounded by the legend; IVLIA MAESA AVG
rev. Felicitas, draped, standing left, sacrifcing with patera in right
hand over lighted altar and holding long caduceus in left hand,
star in right field, surrounded by the legend; SAECVLI  FELICITAS

Cohen 45 ; RIC 271 ; BMC 79 ; Sear 7757
wonderful specimen with excellent portrait, beautifully toned
xf/unc à unc-

weight 2,20gr. ; silver Ø 18mm.

obv. Draped bust of Julia Maesa, hair waved and turned up low at the back, right,
around the text; IVLIA MAESA AVG
rev. Incusum of the obverse

Interesting brockage denarius. Very rare.
vf

weight 3,06gr. ; bronze Ø 16mm.

obv. Draped bust of Julia Maesa, right, MA behind, ICA before
rev. Tyche standing facing, head left, wearing kalathos, holding
cornucopia and rudder, surrounded by the legend; ΑΚΡΑϹΙΩΤΩΝ

Julia Maesa was the sister-in-law of the Roman emperor Septimius Severus, was an influential ruler in the government of the empire and managed to make two of her grandsons emperor. Julia was the daughter of the hereditary high priest Bassianus at Emesa in Syria (Maesa was her Syrian name) and she married a Roman senator, Caius Julius Avitus Alexianus. Her daughters Soemias and Mamaea were the mothers of Elagabalus (emperor 218–222) and Severus Alexander (emperor 222–235) respectively. After the assassination of her cousin, emperor Caracalla (217) and the succession of Macrinus as emperor, Julia led the Syrian legions to proclaim Elagabalus emperor. The campaign was successful, and Julia Maesa was proclaimed Augusta, like her sister Julia Domna before her. When the dissolute behavior of Elagabalus threatened to bring about a swift end to the Severan dynasty, she persuaded him to adopt his nephew Alexander and designate him as heir. The 14-year-old Alexander became emperor after the assassination of Elagabalus, and Julia Maesa remained a power in the imperial government until her death around 224. After her death, her daughter Julia Mamaea took over the affairs of state together with Severus Alexander.

Akrassus or Akrassos was an ancient Roman and Byzantine-era city in Lydia in the Roman province of Asia and Lydia. Apparently, it is the same place that geographer Claudius Ptolemaios calls Nacrasa or Nakrasa, placed on the road from Thyatira to Pergamum. It was in the upper valley of the Caicus River, at or near İlyaslar, but its exact site is not located.

This coin was probably minted in the early reign of Severus Alexander,
also a grandson of Julia Maesa. Very rare.

BMC- ; SNG.von Aulock - ; SNG.Copenhagen - ; Lindgren - ;
RPC Online VI, 4260 ; The Bronze Coinage of Lydia, Dane Kurth, 80 RR
vf/xf

weight 11,17gr. ; bronze Ø 28mm.

obv. Draped bust of Julia Maesa, right, surrounded by the legend;
ΙΟΥΛΙΑΝ ΜΑΙϹΑΝ ϹΕΒΑϹΤΗΝ
rev. Emperor standing in military dress, left, holding
Nikè and resting on spear, surrounded by the legend;
ΤΑΡϹΟΥ ΤΗϹ ΜΗΤΡΟΠΟΛΕΩ,  Α Μ Κ in right field,
Γ Β in left field, in full;
TAPCOY THC ΜΗΤΡΟΠΟΛΕΩΣ A MEΓIΔOTHΣ Γ B,
translation; of Tarsus, the metropolis, the first, the greatest,
the most beautiful, of the 3 eparchies, twice neocorate

Only 1 other specimen has been listed for this type (SNG.Pfalz 1379 = RPC 7067). So it concerns here probably the second known piece. Extremely rare.

BMC- ; SNG.von Aulock - ; SNG.Copenhagen - ; Lindgren - ;
SNG.Paris - ; SNG.Schweiz (Levante) - ; Ziegler - ;
SNG Pfalz 1379 ; RPC Online VI, 7067 (1 specimen) RRRR
f/vf à f+

weight 11,30gr. ; copper Ø 25mm.

obv. Laureated and draped bust of Severus right 
IMP CAES M AVR SEV ALEXANDER AVG  
rev. Aequitas, draped, standing left, holding scales in right
hand and cornucopiae in left hand  AEQVITAS AVG, S - C in field

Cohen 14 ; RIC 546 ; BMC 337 ; Sear 8057 S
Attractive coin with dark patina. Scarce.
vf

weight 9,57gr. ; copper Ø 25mm.

obv. Laureate head of Severus right, surrounded by
the legend;  IMP SEV ALEXANDER AVG
rev. Liberalitas standing left, holding abacus and cornucopiae,
S - C across lower fields, surrounded by the legend; 
LIBERALITAS AVGVSTI IIII 

Cohen 137 ; RIC 577var. ; BMC 563note ; Sear 8064 S
vf

weight 22,34gr. ; bronze Ø 30mm.

obv. Laureate bust of Severus right, wearing cuirass and paludamentum,  
surrounded by the legend; IMP ALEXANDER PIVS AVG
rev. Mars, helmeted, standing left, leaning on shield and holding spear;
standard resting on right arm, S - C across fields, surrounded by the legend;
MARS VLTOR

Mars was the god of war and also an agricultural guardian, a combination characteristic of early Rome. He was the son of Jupiter and Juno, and he was the most prominent of the military gods in the religion of the Roman army. Most of his festivals were held in March, the month named for him (Latin Martius), and in October, which began the season for military campaigning and ended the season for farming.

Augustus created the cult of "Mars the Avenger" (Mars Ultor) to mark two occasions: his defeat of the assassins of Caesar at Philippi in 42 BC, and the negotiated return of the Roman battle standards that had been lost to the Parthians at the Battle of Carrhae in 53 BC. The god is depicted wearing a cuirass and helmet and standing in a "martial pose," leaning on a lance he holds in his right hand. He holds a shield in his left hand. The Temple of Mars Ultor, dedicated in 2 BC in the center of the Forum of Augustus, gave the god a new place of honor. The goddess Ultio, a divine personification of vengeance, had an altar and golden statue in his temple.

Cohen 167 ; RIC 638d ; BMC 804 ; Sear 7980
vf/vf-

weight 12,17gr. ; copper Ø 24mm.

obv. Laureate bust of Severus  right, light drapery on left shoulder,  
surrounded by the legend; IMP ALEXANDER PIVS AVG
rev. Mars, helmeted, walking right, holding spear in right hand and
shield in left hand, S - C across field, surrounded by the legend;
MARS VLTOR 

Mars was the god of war and also an agricultural guardian, a combination characteristic of early Rome. He was the son of Jupiter and Juno, and he was the most prominent of the military gods in the religion of the Roman army. Most of his festivals were held in March, the month named for him (Latin Martius), and in October, which began the season for military campaigning and ended the season for farming.

Augustus created the cult of "Mars the Avenger" (Mars Ultor) to mark two occasions: his defeat of the assassins of Caesar at Philippi in 42 BC, and the negotiated return of the Roman battle standards that had been lost to the Parthians at the Battle of Carrhae in 53 BC. The god is depicted wearing a cuirass and helmet and standing in a "martial pose," leaning on a lance he holds in his right hand. He holds a shield in his left hand. The Temple of Mars Ultor, dedicated in 2 BC in the center of the Forum of Augustus, gave the god a new place of honor. The goddess Ultio, a divine personification of vengeance, had an altar and golden statue in his temple.

Cohen - ; RIC 637a ; BMC 851 ; cf. Sear 8065 R
vf/xf à xf-

weight 3,17gr. ; silver Ø 19mm.

obv. Laureate bust of Severus right, seen from rear, wearing
cuirass and paludamentum, surrounded by the legend;
IMP C M AVR SEV ALEXAND AVG
rev. Pietas, veiled, draped, standing left, raising right hand over altar,
and holding incense-box in left hand, surrounded by the legend;
PIETAS AVG

Cohen 196 ; RIC 293 ; BMC 1058 ; Sear 7889
vf

weight 2,98gr. ; silver Ø 19mm.

obv. Laureate head of Severus right, surrounded
by the legend; IMP SEV ALEXAND AVG
rev. Severus Alexander (dressed as Romulus?), bare-headed,
in military attire, walking right, holding spear in right hand
and trophy in left hand, surrounded by the legend;
P M TR P VII COS II P P

Cohen 351 ; RIC 85 ; BMC 507 ; Sear 7906
flancrack and light traces of oxidation
vf- à f/vf

weight 23,88gr. ; bronze Ø 30mm.

obv. Laureate head  of Severus  right, light drapery on left shoulder,
around the text; IMP SEV ALEXANDER AVG
rev. Severus Alexander, laureate and togate, standing in decorated quadriga right,
holding reins with left hand and eagle-tipped sceptre in right hand, S - C in exergue,
around the text;  PM TR P VIII COS III PP

Cohen 377 ; RIC 495 ; BMC 575 ; Sear 7997
Very interesting reverse. Rare.
vf-/vf

weight 15,62gr. ; bronze Ø 29mm.

obv. Laureate head  of Severus  right, light drapery on left shoulder,
around the text; IMP SEV ALEXANDER AVG
rev. Sol Invictus, radiate, head left, standing left, raising right hand and holding
whip in left hand, S - C across field, around the text;  PM TR P VIIII COS III PP

Cohen 390 ; RIC 500 ; BMC 625 ; cf. Sear 7999
vf-

weight 18,46gr. ; bronze Ø 28mm.

obv. Laureate bust of Severus  right, wearing cuirass and paludamentum
IMP ALEXANDER PIVS AVG
rev. Sol, radiate, head left, standing right, raising right hand and holding
globe in left hand  PM TR P X COS III PP, S - C in field

Cohen 412var. ; RIC 515 ; BMC 809 ; Sear 7999var.
vf-

weight 2,72gr. ; silver Ø 19mm.

obv. Laureate head of Severus right, light drapery on left shoulder,  
surrounded by the legend; IMP ALEXANDER PIVS AVG
rev. Providentia (or Annona), draped, standing left, holding two corn-ears
in right hand and cornucopiae in left hand; on ground, modius,
surrounded by the legend; PROVIDENTIA AVG

Cohen 501 ; RIC 250 ; BMC 875 ; Sear 7922
vf+/vf-

weight 19,13gr. ; bronze Ø 28mm.

obv. Laureate head of Severus right, light drapery on left shoulder,  
surrounded by the legend; IMP ALEXANDER PIVS AVG
rev. Providentia (or Annona), draped, standing left, holding two corn-ears
in right hand and cornucopiae in left hand; on ground, modius, S - C
across lower field, surrounded by the legend; PROVIDENTIA AVG

In ancient Roman religion, Annona (or Providentia) is the divine personification of the grain supply to the city of Rome. She is closely connected to the goddess Ceres, with whom she is often depicted in art. Annona, often as Annona Augusti, was a creation of Imperial religious propaganda, manifested in iconography and cult practice. Annona is typically depicted with a cornucopia (horn of plenty) in her arm, and a ship′s prow in the background, alluding to the transport of grain into the harbor of Rome. On coins, she frequently stands between a modius (grain-measure) and the prow of a galley, with ears of grain in one hand and a cornucopia in the other; sometimes she holds a rudder or an anchor.

In the propaganda of Claudius, the cult of Ceres Augusta made explicit the divine power that lay in the Imperial provision of the annona, the grain supply to the city. Annona Augusti appears on coins late in the reign of Nero, when the Cult of Virtues came into prominence in the wake of the Pisonian conspiracy. She embodied two of the material benefits of Imperial rule, along with Securitas Augusti, ″Augustan Security,″ and often appeared as part of a pair with Ceres. On Neronian coinage, Ceres, Annona, and Abundantia (″Abundance″) were closely associated.

Annona also appears on coins issued under Vespasian, where along with other Virtues she represents the restoration of confidence in the principate, and on the coinage of Titus, Domitianus, Trajanus, Hadrianus, Antoninus Pius, and Septimius Severus. She was a particular favorite in Trajanus′ propaganda, which sought to portray his reign as a renewal and a prosperous new era for humanity; hence Annona often appears with a symbolic child. In the context of Trajanic politics, Annona represented Rome′s grain independence from its traditional supplier Egypt.

This coin was minted in recognition of Severus′ prudent policy regarding the annual grain supply of the city of Rome. Severus Alexander was born in 208 in Phoenician Caesarea as Marcus Julius Gessius Alexianus. At the age of 14, he became Emperor of Rome, first under the regency of his grandmother Julia Maesa, and later under that of his mother Julia Mamaea. He was a capable and moderate administrator who favored negotiation over war. This attitude was ultimately not appreciated by his military staff, which led to the assassination of him and his mother in 235. This marked the beginning of a series of soldier-emperors, of whom his successor Maximinus I Thrax (235–238) was the first.

Cohen 501 ; RIC 250 ; BMC 875 ; Sear 7922
attractive dark patina
vf

weight 21,61gr. ; bronze Ø 28mm.

obv. Laureate head of Severus Alexander right, surrounded
by the legend; IMP ALEXANDER PIVS AVG
rev. Spes advancing left, holding flower and lifting skirt,
S - C across fields, surrounded by the legend; SPES PVBLICA

Cohen 547 ; RIC 648 ; BMC 902 ; Sear 8019
Wonderful coin with excellent portrait.
xf- à vf/xf

weight 19,28gr. ; bronze Ø 29mm.

obv. Laureate bust of Severus Alexander right, draped over left shoulder,
surrounded by the legend; IMP ALEXANDER PIVS AVG
rev. Spes, draped, walking left, holding flower in right hand and raising
skirt with left hand, S - C across fiels, surrounded by the legend;
SPES PVBLICA

In Roman mythology, Spes is the personification and goddess of Hope. She is the Roman equivalent of the Greek goddess Elpis. Originally viewed as a nature goddess of fruitful fields and gardens (agriculture), she was later invoked for weddings, births (promise of children), and overall good fortune. Eventually, she became the symbol of the state′s hopes for empire and prosperity.

She was traditionally portrayed as a young, graceful maiden walking forward, lifting the hem of her dress with one hand, and holding a budding flower (or grain) in the other, symbolizing the promise of new beginnings. Her most notable shrine was built in the mid-3rd century BC in the Forum Holitorium (the bustling vegetable and herb market in Rome).

She was a highly popular figure on Roman currency, used frequently by emperors on coins inscribed with Spes Publica ("the hope of the people") to signify a bright future under their rule.

Cohen 547var. ; RIC 648 ; BMC 902 ; Sear 8019
vf-

weight 21,15gr. ; bronze Ø 29mm.

obv. Bust of Severus Alexander, laureate, draped, cuirassed, right,
surrounded by the legend; IMP ALEXANDER PIVS AVG
rev. Spes, draped, walking left, holding flower in right hand and raising
skirt with left hand, S - C across lower fiels, surrounded by the legend;
SPES PVBLICA

In Roman mythology, Spes is the personification and goddess of Hope. She is the Roman equivalent of the Greek goddess Elpis. Originally viewed as a nature goddess of fruitful fields and gardens (agriculture), she was later invoked for weddings, births (promise of children), and overall good fortune. Eventually, she became the symbol of the state′s hopes for empire and prosperity.

She was traditionally portrayed as a young, graceful maiden walking forward, lifting the hem of her dress with one hand, and holding a budding flower (or grain) in the other, symbolizing the promise of new beginnings. Her most notable shrine was built in the mid-3rd century BC in the Forum Holitorium (the bustling vegetable and herb market in Rome).

She was a highly popular figure on Roman currency, used frequently by emperors on coins inscribed with Spes Publica ("the hope of the people") to signify a bright future under their rule.

Cohen 549 ; RIC 648d ; Sear 8019var.
vf-

weight 8,24gr. ; Ø 25mm.

obv. Laureate bust right
rev. Eagle standing facing, head left with wreath in beak

SNG.Copenhagen 246
very attractive eagle and dark patina
vf

weight 4,49gr. ; bronze Ø 20,5mm.

obv. Radiate and draped bust of Severus right, surrounded
by the legend;  M AVP CEV AΛEΞANΔPOC
rev. Three legionary standards topped with wreathes,
dividing the legend; NI K AI E / ΩN

BMC 101 ; SNG.von Aulock 628 ; Weiser 30 ; Sear GIC.3287var. ;
SNG.Copenhagen 520var.; RPC online 3248
f

weight 24,10gr. ; bronze Ø 34mm.

obv. Laureate bust of Severus Alexander right, wearing cuirass and paludamentum,
seen from behind, around the text; AΥT K CЄOΥHΡOC AΛЄΞANΔΡOC
rev. Altar of Zeus Stratius surmounted by eagle standing facing, wings spread,
head to left; above, facing quadriga driven by Sol; to left of altar, tree,
around the text; AΔΡ CЄΥ AΛЄΞ AMACIAC, MH Λ ΠΡ in exergue,
ЄTC - ΛΔ  across field

BMC- (cf. 40) ; Waddington Rec.gen.107 ; cf. SNG.Copenhagen IV, 118 ;
cf. Lindgren collection II 17; RPC IV Online 6472 ; Sear GIC- (cf. 3275) R
Attractive specimen with brown patina. Rare.
vf

weight 2,98gr. silver Ø 19mm.

obv. Diademed and draped bust right
SALL BARBIA ORBIANA AVG
rev. Concordia enthroned left, holding patera and double cornucopiae
CONCORDIA AVGG

Cohen 1 ; RIC 319 ; BMC 287 ; Sear 8191 R
Very minor roughness. Rare.
vf/vf+

weight 17,46gr. ; bronze  Ø 30mm.

obv. Diademed and draped bust right
SALL BARBIA ORBIANA AVG
rev. Concordia enthroned left, holding patera and double cornucopiae
CONCORDIA AVGG, S C in exergue

Cohen 4 ; RIC 655 ; BMC 293 ; Sear 8193 R
f/vf

weight 21,97gr. ; bronze Ø 30mm.

obv. Draped and diademed bust of Julia Mamaea right,
surrounded by the legend; IVLIA MAMAEA AVGVSTA
rev. Felicitas, draped, standing left, holding long caduceus
in right hand and cornucopiae in left hand, S - C across lower
fields, surrounded by the legend; FELICITAS AVG

Cohen 10 ; RIC 670  ; BMC 527 ; Sear 8227
attractive dark patina
vf-

weight 20,84gr. ; bronze Ø 30mm.

obv. Draped and diademed bust of Julia Mamaea right,
surrounded by the legend; IVLIA MAMAEA AVGVSTA
rev. Felicitas, draped, standing front, head left, legs crossed, holding
caduceus in right hand and leaning on column with left arm, S - C
across fields, surrounded by the legend; FELICITAS PVBLICA

Cohen 21 ; RIC 676 ; BMC 487 ; Sear 8228
Small flan crack and some old scratches. Attractive dark patina.
vf-

weight 18,25gr. ; bronze Ø 29mm.

obv. Draped and diademed bust of Julia Mamaea right,
surrounded by the legend; IVLIA MAMAEA AVGVSTA
rev. Felicitas, draped, standing front, head left, legs crossed, holding
caduceus in right hand and leaning on column with left arm, S - C
across fields, surrounded by the legend; FELICITAS PVBLICA

Cohen 21 ; RIC 676 ; BMC 487 ; Sear 8228
attractive dark patina
vf-/f+

weight 18,05gr. ; bronze Ø 28mm.

obv. Draped and diademed bust of Julia Mamaea right,
surrounded by the legend; IVLIA MAMAEA AVGVSTA
rev. Felicitas, draped, seated left, holding caduceus in right
hand and cornucopiae in left hand, S - C in exergue,
surrounded by the legend; FELICITAS PVBLICA

Cohen 26 ; RIC 679 ; BMC 661 ; Sear 8229
attractive specimen with dark patina and wonderful portrait
xf-/vf+

weight 2,87gr. ; silver Ø 20mm.

obv. Draped and diademed bust of Julia Mamaea right,
surrounded by the legend; IVLIA MAMAEA AVG
rev. Juno, diademed, veiled, draped, standing left, holding
patera in right hand and sceptre in left hand; at feet, peacock,
surrounded by the legend; IVNO CONSERVATRIX

Cohen 35 ; RIC 343 ; BMC 43 ; Sear 8212
wonderful specimen with beautiful portrait
xf/xf-

weight 2,51gr. ; silver Ø 20mm.

obv. Draped and diademed bust of Julia Mamaea right,
surrounded by the legend; IVLIA MAMAEA AVG
rev. Juno, diademed, veiled, draped, standing left, holding
patera in right hand and sceptre in left hand; at feet, peacock,
surrounded by the legend; IVNO CONSERVATRIX

Cohen 35 ; RIC 343 ; BMC 43 ; Sear 8212
vf

weight 20,06gr. ; bronze Ø 28mm.

obv. Draped and diademed bust of Julia Mamaea right,
surrounded by the legend; IVLIA MAMAEA AVGVSTA
rev. Venus, draped, seated left, holding statuette in right hand
and sceptre in left hand, S - C in exergue, surrounded by the
legend; VENVS FELIX

VENUS

Venus is one of the most famous goddesses of the Roman pantheon, known for her grace and beauty. Her likeness was recreated countless times in a variety of different media. She was depicted in many ways on coinage, and was called several different names by the inscriptions: Venus Genetrix, Venus Felix, and Venus Victrix. By studying the whole collection of coins of Venus from the late Republican period through AD 192, it is possible to gain an understanding of how depiction of the goddess corresponded to the title she was given on that coin. Using that information, one can then determine which aspect of Venus is represented in unlabelled images of her. Similarly, the data can be used to critique scholarly opinions on the original appearances of the lost cult statues of Venus Genetrix, Felix, and Victrix. There is a fair bit of overlap between the attributes of Venus Genetrix and Felix, as they share the common image of the goddess usually holding an apple. However, depictions of the deity holding an infant or unveiling herself are unique to Venus Genetrix, and images of birds are not seen on coins with epithets other than Venus Felix. Venus Victrix is the only aspect of the goddess to be shown with Mars on coinage, although this happens only rarely. Otherwise, she can be difficult to differentiate from other aspects of Venus. With observations such as these and others in mind, scholarly suggestions about the appearances of the lost cult statues seem less credible, and more open for debate.

• Venus Genetrix (Venus the Mother) represents Venus as the mythical mother of the Roman people (via her son Aeneas) and the divine ancestor of the Julian family. It often features the goddess seated or standing, holding a scepter and a child (Cupid).

• Venus Victrix (Venus the Conqueror) represents Venus as a bringer of victory. Though Venus was not a war goddess, linking her to victory allowed generals to claim that the goddess of love favored their military success. It typically depicts her holding a helmet, a scepter, or a small winged Victory

• Venus Felix (Lucky or Prosperous Venus) represents Venus as the embodiment of ″good fortune″. This epithet blends the attributes of Venus (attraction/beauty) with Fortuna (luck). It was meant to signify that an emperor or empress possessed divine favor, bringing blessing, luck, and prosperity to the Roman Empire. Usually she holds a small statuette of her son, Cupid, in one hand and the inverted spear of Mars (symbolizing love conquering war) or scepter in the other.

Cohen 69 ; RIC 701 ; BMC 197 ; Sear 8233
attractive specimen with green patina
vf

weight 3,31gr. ; silver Ø 19mm.

obv. Draped and diademed bust of Julia Mamaea right,
surrounded by the legend; IVLIA MAMAEA AVG
rev. Vesta, draped, standing left, holding palladium in right
hand and scepter in left hand, surrounded by the legend; VESTA

Cohen 81 ; RIC 360 ; BMC 381 ; Sear 8217
wonderful specimen with excellent details
xf

weight 22,94gr. ; bronze Ø 30mm.

obv. Draped and diademed bust of Julia Mamaea right,
surrounded by the legend; IVLIA MAMAEA AVGVSTA
rev. Vesta, draped, standing left, holding palladium in right
hand and scepter in left hand, S - C across fields,
surrounded by the legend; VESTA

Cohen 83 ; RIC 708 ; BMC 389 ; Sear 8236
Planchet fault on edge. Brown patina.
f/vf à vf-

weight 7,78gr. ; orichalcum Ø 28mm.

obv. Draped and diademed bust of Julia Mamaea right,
surrounded by the legend; ΙΟΥΛΙΑ ΜΑΜΑΙΑ CЄB
rev. turreted Tyche (?) standing facing, head left, holding
patera and sceptre, surrounded by the legend;
ΝΙΚΑΙΕΩΝ

RPC listed only 1 specimen with this reverse, however with the obverse legend ΙΟΥΛΙΑ ΜΑΜΑΙΑ ΑΥΓ. With the opbverse legend ΙΟΥΛΙΑ ΜΑΜΑΙΑ CЄB, it seems to be unpublished. Extremely rare, possibly unique.

BMC- ; SNG.Copenhagen- ; SNG.von Aulock- ; Lindgren collection- ;
Leypold collection - ; SNG.Schweiz- ; Sr.GIC.- ; Weiser - ;
RPC online, vol.VI - (cf. 10991 : 1 specimen known)   RRRR
obverse double strike
vf

weight 11,23gr. ; bronze Ø 24mm.

obv. Draped and diademed bust of Julia Mamaea right,
surrounded by the legend; IOVΛ MAMЄA CЄB
rev. Front view of temple with eight columns with
globe in pediment, surrounded by the legend;
ANAZAPBOY MHTPO, ЄT HMC in exergue

Ziegler 516 ; RPC 7351 ; Levante 1476 R
Dark green patina. Rare.
f/vf à vf-