I just picked this up. Hope nobody here was bidding as Daisy. One of the better portraits to appear on this series. I chased it higher than I wanted, but I really liked that portrait. Unless I find a better one someday, I believe this will be a keeper. I will re-shoot this when I get it in. SYRIA, Seleucis and Pieria. Antioch. Septimius Severus. AD 193-211. AR Tetradrachm (25mm, 12.59 g, 12h). Struck AD 205-211. Laureate head right / Eagle standing facing on leg and thigh of sacrificial animal, head right, with wreath in beak and wings spread. McAlee 658-659 var. (placement of obv. legend); Prieur 200 var. (same). Good VF. Very rare obverse die variety without the B of CЄB below the head.
Magnificent! The majority of my reading lately has centered around Syrian issues and issues of Rome meant for circulation in Syria, so it's always a pleasure to see such great coin posted.
If you come across any interesting piece of history regarding the series, I would love to hear about it. Now that my conscience feels clear that I can buy coins from the area, I have been looking at these closer. Many have pretty poor quality portraits. This one looked like it had an engraver with more skill than most. I had Bill at CNG take a look at it for me and he gave me a detailed description. Good enough that I chased it a bit. Thanks to everyone for the comments. Has anyone else picked up any of these syrian Tets lately?
Not lately to say so, but got a decent one too from Laodicaea. I'm still lacking one from Antioch for Septimius, having already one of both cities for Caracalla and for Geta, with their very distinctive styles. Septimius Severus, Tetradrachm struck in Laodicea in c.202-210 AD AVT KAI CEOYHPOC· C E Laur.bust of Severus right DHMAPX·EX·VPATOC·TO·G, Eagle facing, star between legs 11.89 gr Ref : Sear #2261 var, Prieur # 1149_039 Q PS : I have to admit being very envious of yours...
Your example surpasses mine in almost all respects except for the eye and cheekbone and flatness in spots (eagle and hair.) I do like the shoulder work on yours also. It is a nicely centered, better surfaces and a complete example. For me however, the face was the most important criteria. I can look at thousands of a type and for some reason one will attract me more than all the others. I can't explain it, but I paid for the eyes. I am interested in finding a high quality Trajan portrait on one of these. I've been looking a long time at bronzes for a good Trajan portrait, but I am not a big fan of bronze. These may fit the bill.
We can easily see the differences in style between Antioch, very "roman", i.e. lifelike, and Laodicea much more stylized. It's obvious on the following Caracalla's and Geta's Caracalla, Tetradrachm struck in Antioch, c.209-212 AD AVT KAI ANTWNEIN C CEB, Laureate bust of Caracalla right DHMARX.....PATO.TO.TOG, Eagle facing with wreath in beak 13.65 gr Ref : Sear #2649 var, Prieur # 214A_001 (unique to date with this reverse legend lacking C : "should" be TOC.TOG. Thanks to Michel Prieur for the additionnal informations) Caracalla, Tetradrachm struck in Laodicea ad Mare in 209- 212 AD AVT KAI ANTWNEINOC CE, Laureate bust of Caracalla right DHMARX EX VPATOC GO G, Eagle facing, holding wreath in beak, a star between legs 12.08 gr Ref : Sear #2659 var, Prieur # 1176_028 Geta, Tetradrachm minted in Antioch AD 208 AYT KAI GETAC . laureate head right DHMAPX EXVPA TO B, eagle standing facing on leg an thigh, head right, holding wreath in beak 13,40 gr Ref : Prieur #209_006 (same obverse die) Geta, Tetradrachm minted in Laodicea, AD 208-209 KAICAP GETAC, Bare head of Geta right YTTA-TOC TO B, Eagle facing, head turned on the left, holding wreath in beak, star between legs 13,73 gr Ref : Prieur #1157_012 Q
Very interesting and very obvious now that you set them side by side. I guess I have to say I am an Antioch fan. Are the above coins all yours?? They are great examples.
