Worried about authenticity, Elagabalus & Julia Maesa

Hey friends,
I recently purchased this Elagabalus & Julia Maesa, Moesia Inferior Marcianopolis 218 - 222 coin for 60 $.
After a lot of research I noticed that the E next to the snake is usually on the left side, not the right on all photos of this coin. Did I buy a fake ? Or was it common back then to be liberal with placement of detail ?
Please help, I am really excited about this coin

 

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Welcome, tobiask!

I'm not an expert but I see no reason for concern. I'm sure others will be along shortly to render their opinions.

 

The coin looks original to me, in terms of style - I don't think you should worry about a fake in this case. I will check my sources tomorrow and see if a variant exists with the E on the right. I don't have access to my books at the moment. Perhaps someone else will verify in the meantime.

 

Thank you for your reply.

 

Thank you for your reply.

 

A quick look at Wildwinds shows a coin with E to the left as Varbanov 1658, but there is also a coin with E in exergue as Moushmov 679. And there are different reverse types from Markianopolis with E in lower left and right fields. So it seems the placement of the letter could vary quite a bit. I will check Varbanov tomorrow.

 

I haven't check my sources yet, but I have a Macrinus with the E in the right field. So I feel it is very possible for the field mark to be in either field.

MACRINUS Pentassarion AE28
OBVERSE: AVT K OPEL CEVH MAKREINOC K M OPEL ANTWNEINOC - confronted busts
REVERSE: VP PONTIAN-OV MARKIANO/ POLIT, Coiled serpent with radiate head
Struck at Markianopolis, Moesia Inferior, Magistrate Pontianus; 217 - 218 AD
12.6g, 28mm
Hr & J (2012) 6.24.22.6

 

Not the exact coin but it does have the "E" in the right field, take a look at Wildwinds.com:
http://wildwinds.com/coins/ric/elagabalus/_markianopolis_AE26_Moushmov_670.jpg

 

Beautiful coin !
Thank you for your reply, it makes me feel a bit easier. I noticed that there would have been very little space to the left of my snake and perhaps that is why the E is located on the right.
Sorry If I sound like an amateur, but were these coins made during the reign of each emperror, as in during the beginning of their terms ? I am asking because if people knew that Julia would arrange his killing I wonder if they still wanted her on the coins.

 

Elagabalus would most certainly have been alive at the striking of this coin. By 221 Elagabalus' eccentricities, particularly his relationship with Hierocles, increasingly provoked the soldiers of the Praetorian Guard. When Elagabalus' grandmother Julia Maesa perceived that popular support for the emperor was waning, she decided that he and his mother, who had encouraged his religious practices, had to be replaced.

 

Interesting, thank you. I heard that Elagabalus also held and ordered orgies and had many sexual escapades himself and conducted pranks and many other childish affairs.. I wonder if he understood the historical importance of his short lived title.

 

Probably not. However, keep in mind that history, and especially Roman history, was written with very little regard to truth. Although, I do not doubt the reports of Elagabalus' sexual excesses.

 

Certainly not. He was a teenager. I have two teenage sons, and I can't imagine either one of them being any better an emperor than Elagabalus. That's not saying anything negative about teens - they just need to grow up. A lot.

 

Coin looks Ok to me also.

 

Thank you for your help.

 

Welcome, tobiask ... I really like the looks of your new pick-up (gotta love coins with snakes on 'em!! ... congrats)

... oh, and that's a sweet lookin' coin, Bing (I always enjoy seeing that baby)

 

I am still learning...
Is my coin a bronze denarius or antoninianus ? I read that around 215 it changed from denarius to antoninianus.
16 As is one denarius, so 1 antonianius is 32 As ?

 

Tobias, I checked Varbanov and the only coin of this type he lists for Elagabalus of Markianopolis is 1658, which has the E in the left field. Still, I wouldn't worry about a fake - the coin looks original. You just have a possibly unlisted variant (I say "possibly" because don't have all the Provincial sources.)

This is neither a denarius nor an antoninianus. We don't know the names of the provincial bronzes. Sometimes they get called dupondii or sestertii because they are similar in size and weight to the imperial issues of the same name, but that isn't accurate. The most accurate description of your coin would be simply AE, followed by the diameter - probably around 27mm for that coin, right?

 

Yes its about 27 or 28 mm for my coin.
I did some research online and came across some information about my variant, I took some screenshots and will post it here so you professionals can see if it sounds right.

Again, I really appreciate the time and effort. I am glad I got into this hobby, nearly everyone I interact with is very nice and glad to discuss things.

 

I'm not a professional, but it looks about right to me. Welcome (I guess I forgot to), and I hope you stick around. The more people we have here, the more we can see and discuss coins. I enjoy seeing all the coins, but it's the education that's awesome.