A some of you are aware I collect the Eastern denarii of Septimius Severus and have many sub-themes that I collect within that area. One of the themes is a series of coins which have a variety of obverse legend that don't meet the normal pattern. These end AVG II C, AVG II CO, AVG II COS, AVG . CO etc. and are all generally scarce to rare. I add to these whenever I can find them and afford them. I have just added a new AVG II CO to my collection and wanted to share it with you all. I will then inflict a few of it's friends to show where it sits in my collection (obsession). All the coins ending AVG II CO come from a single obverse die. Septimius Severus denarius Obv:– IMP CAE L SEP SE-V PERT AVG II CO, laureate head right Rev:– FELICITAS TEMPOR, grain ear between crossed cornucopiae Minted in Emesa. A.D. 194. References:- BMCRE -. RIC-. RSC - 2.22 gms. 180 degrees. 18.02 mm
Curtis Clay was collating a list of all the examples of these coins that he was aware of and I have been chasing examples from this list for a number of years. BONAE SPEI advancing l. (3 rev. dies known) I have two examples from one of those reverse dies BONI EVENTVC (sic), Fides standing l. (I have two examples) FELICITAS T[EMP]OR, wheat ear between two crossed cornucopias (my example above) FORTVNAE REDVCI, Fortuna (pax?), with modius on head, seated left holding branch and cornucopia Not previously known to Curtis INVICTO IMP TROPAEA, Trophy INVICTO IMP TROPAEA II, Trophy (Arrgghh no example to share. My search continues.) LEG VIII AVO (sic) TR P COS, eagle and standards MINER VICT, Minerva seated left, holding victory in right hand, spear in left, shield beneath Not previously known to Curtis [MO]NETAE AVG seated l. holding scales and cornucopia (2 different reverse dies) VICTOR IVST AVG, Victory adv. l. holding wreath and palm Hopefully I will be able to fill more gaps over the next few years. Patience.....
Actually I think yours is Rome. I have an eastern example of the type and they can only be differentiated by style. Septimius Severus denarius Obv:- L SEPT SEV AVG IMP XI PART MAX, Laureate head right Rev:- VICTORIAE AVGG FEL, Victory flying left holding wreath with both hands over shield set on low base Minted in Laodicea-ad-Mare. A.D. 198 - 202 Ref:– BMCRE 678. RIC 516. RSC 719 ex Roger Bickford-Smith Collection, ex Barry Murphy, ex Forvm 3.119g, 18.5mm, 0o
Great stuff @maridvnvm. I have a die duplicate of the MINER VICT coin in my collection: Septimius Severus. AR denarius, Emesa, 194 CE; 17mm, 3.09g, 7h. cf. BMCRE p. 96 ∬, cf. RIC 409A (Lawrence), cf. RSC 327d. Obv: IMP CAE L SEP SEV PERT AVG II CO; head laureate r. Rx: MIN–E–R – VICT; Minerva seated l. on shield, holding Victory and spear. VF.
Thanks. I think that these are the only two known. I thought that mine was unique when I bought it, but then I saw yours (I'm pretty sure you've posted an image of it before). So the twin coins have found each other! But your collection is marvelous. You and @dougsmit are the kings of Severan coins of Emesa, and the legend errors and varieties are fascinating. Your posts to Cointalk are helpful references. I'm trying to build a modest collection of Emesene coins of Severus myself, but you and Mr. Smith are miles ahead of me. I recently posted the part of my collection consisting of Emesene denarii of Severus to a site called CollecOnline. Kind of a strange name, but it's based in France. I've just started experimenting with using that site, and so far I like the functionality and user experience. Here's the link if you're interested in taking a look: https://www.colleconline.com/en/col...n-imperial-septimius-severus-denarii-of-emesa
Excellent coins and presentation @maridvnvm. Always happy to see coins of Severus, particularly in context.
Septimius Severus Ar Denarius Emesa? Obv Bust right laureate Rv Legionary eagle flanked by two standards LEG XIIII GEM M.V. In exergue TR.P COS
And yet that type is one that I didn't even have on my list. Another type to hunt down. I love it. Thanks Doug