Just show-and-tell, nothing profound, but nice VF-EF coins. S. Alexander and Elagabalus, two of Mars, two of Salus, Sol, Providentia. The harder alloy on these sure keeps them from picking up much circulation wear...
I'll play, here's one for now: Caracalla, AD 198-217 AR denarius, 3.01g, 20mm, 6h; Rome mint, AD 210-213. Obv.: ANTONINVS PIVS AVG BRIT; laureate head right. Rev.: MONETA AVG; Moneta standing left, holding scales and cornucopia.
Nice variety of well struck reverses. I noticed that JWTs Caracalla reverse identifies Moneta, but JAs S. Alexander and Elagabalus coins do not identify the deity on the reverse. Is there a generalization about when the reverse characters are identified on the reverse of an Imperial coin of this time period? I know for some Republican coins identifying characters can be subject to debate.
The subjects on the reverses of later Severan Dynasty issues are fairly clear-cut. Most reverse types of Caracalla, Elagabalus, and Severus Alexander come in both dated and undated versions, but I can't say anything more specific at the moment as I'm away from my library. I would assume the dated and undated types were issued concurrently, but perhaps there's no real way of knowing, as the undated coins are precisely that: undated.
Not just in Severan times we see some types issued with dating legends and with descriptive legends. Has anyone offered a theory on why?
I have a theory, but it's nothing more than wild speculation. Perhaps after an emperor received a particular title, coins were issued for a time commemorating the new title, then went back to their default, undated legends until another title was awarded. If so, you should be able to discover obverse die linkages between the dated and undated coins, but that sounds like a lot of work.
Very nice John! LOL, so... Harder Alloy = cheaper composite materials... I get it... I like to make stuff too.
