Denarius of Elagabalus, Providentia

Providentia first appeared on the senatorial coinage of Augustus, and underwent a number of transformations during her tenure on Roman coinage. On this coin, she is seen leaning on a column while holding a cornucopia and scepter. She holds the scepter over a globe, which likely signifies the world. Providence the goddess, embodying prudence, foresight, and knowledge, rules the planet - and by extension, likewise does the providence of the Roman Empire.

 

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Nice, well detailed coin JA. I have none of Providentia in this pose, but my earliest is MARCUS AURELIUS:

MARCUS AURELIUS
AR Denarius
OBVERSE: M ANTONINVS AVG IMP II - Bare head right
REVERSE: PROV DEOR TR P XVII COS III, Providentia standing left, holding globe and cornucopiae
Struck at Rome, 162-3 AD
2.6g, 17mm
RIC 67

 

nice new denarius JA!

i have several coins of elagabalus, but i couldn't find one of providentia...could have swore i had one.

well, she's on the list.

here's an elagabalus i picked up this year, he seems to be about the same age as you coin...young teen?

 

Providentia also comes on an antoninianus but mine has a die clash that makes it harder to see. I like the devilish expression on the denarius below. It also have the variant legend PROVID DEORVM for those who wonder who is shown.

 

Very Nice!!!!

That particular pose seems to have eluded me as well.

 

Awesome coin John! I love the coins of Elagabalus, so much so that if I ever decided to collect another series it would be his.

 

A sublime example and excellent photo.

 

I don't have an Elagabalus Providentia but do have a Postumus with that reverse.


Posthumus
CE 260-269
antoninianus, 20 x 22 mm, 3.0 gm
struck CE 263 in Cologne
Obv: IMP C POSTVMVS P F AVG, radiate, draped, and cuirassed bust right
Rev: PROVIDENTIA AVG, Providentia standing left, leaning on a column, holding a scepter in her right hand and a cornucopiae in her left; at her feet to left, globe
Ref: RIC VII 81, Cologne; AGK (corr.) 70. Cunetio -. Elmer 334. Gilljam -. Very rare

 

Great new pickup, JA ... oh, and fantastic additions by the dream-team!!



Ummm, I only have 3 examples of Providentia ...

=> a Gordie-III, a Florianus and a Maximianus ...

Gordian-III



Florianus (with Providentia & Sol)




Maximianus (Providentia & Quies)

 

Since Providentia was a personification of various virtues, with no real mythology of her own, she was rather the Barbie Doll of the Roman pantheon. She could be dressed up in different ways. Here's a pic of the OP coin in sunlight, since the clouds parted today...



I took a little gamble on a mixed lot, which is where this coin came from. Another from the lot is this Sol reverse showing a strong die clash, also Elagabalus...

 

Wonderful details JA, just gorgeous examples!

 

That bust on the second looks great.

 

And this Severus Alexander, togate emperor sacrificing. This coin also has a minting anomaly - what appears to be a die chip on his forehead. Or maybe a gouge - maybe the engraver's tool slipped out of his hand and gashed the bust, but hey - no sense in wasting an otherwise good die...

 

Great coins, love the one with the clash.

I own no coins of Providentia or even Annona.

 

Is this a Providentia pile on? Think I have a couple...

 

It's a "whatever" pile-on, same as always.

 

All nice JA.

ELAGABALUS
AR Denarius
OBVERSE: IMP ANTONINVS PIVS AVG - Laureate, draped bust right
REVERSE: P M TR P IIII COS III P P - Sol standing left, raising hand and holding whip; star in either field
Struck at Rome, 221 AD
2.9g, 19mm
RIC 40b, C 184

 

Answered in another thread. It's best to start a new thread for such questions. Also, just post it once.

 

head injury!

 

Lucius Verus Denarius:
My lame spread-sheet says this is Providentia but I havw my doubts? Little help?