Boring Severan Denarii

This is my last post of the week. After digging into the Provinces, regular issue denarii seem kind of boring. Not transliterating Greek into Latin then translating the Latin into English seems kind of lame now, haha.

But these are two worthy coins and they deserved a little limelight before I lock away my pretties.

The first is from big poppa, Septimius Severus.



A nice example of Virtus with luster that doesn't come through in my pics. A little mushiness in the strike to the right on the obverse, but the letters are still clear in hand.

Septimius Severus, Denarius, VIRT AVGG
AR Denarius
Septimius Severus
Augustus: 193 - 211AD
Issued: 200AD
20.0 x 19.0mm 3.37gr 7h
O: SEVERVS PIVS PART MAX; Laureate bust, right.
R: VIRT AVGG; Virtus standing left, holding Victory in right hand and spear with shield in left.
Rome Mint
RIC IV-1 171a; Sear (2000) 6387; RSC 761; BMCRE 211.
Aorta: 736: B3, O78, R366, T247, M4.
Slightly worn obverse die in right legend (PART MAX).
Leu Numismatik Web Auction 3, Lot 906.

And right next to Septimius is his wife, Julia Domna. I was excited to add this coin not only for the reverse type, but also because it is neat to have a coin from the Stoecklin collection. I don't think my collection will stay together nearly as long as the Stoecklin family's but it is neat to have a little connection to a great collection.



Julia Domna, Denarius, VESTA
AR Denarius
Julia Domna
Born circa 170 AD - Died 217AD
Augusta: 193 - 217AD
Issued: 211 - 217AD
19.0mm 3.09gr 1h
O: IVLIA PIA FELIX AVG; Draped bust, right.
R: VESTA; Vesta, veiled, seated left on backless throne, holding simpulum in her right hand and scepter in her left.
Rome Mint
RIC Caracalla 391; Cohen 226; BMC 31.
Aorta: 215: B6, O6, R103, T129, M4.
Toned VF
Ex. W.F. Stoecklin Collection, Amriswil, Switzerland; purchased prior to 1975.
Nomos AG Auction: Obolos 9, Lot 344.

Overall collection progress:
Septimius:

https://www.forumancientcoins.com/gallery/thumbnails.php?album=6295

Julia Domna:

https://www.forumancientcoins.com/gallery/thumbnails.php?album=6296

Thanks for reading all of this, per usual. Share anything related by ruler or reverse!

 

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Both are lovely coins

 

Great ones there!

 

Nice

 

Not boring in my book. And good eye appeal with both of them.

 

@nicholasz219 I love them both.

Here is a Galba with a Virtus reverse.

 

Virtus would be a popular reverse for a military emperor. I'm not sure what makes one boring but I am sure I can bore many people showing Severan Virtus varieties.
ID as you wish.

 

Vespasian is a military emperor, but surprisingly Virtus was not a popular reverse type for him. Here is a poor example from the East. Although the piece is rather ugly, I am very fond of it.

Vespasian
AR Denarius, 2.81g
Antioch mint, 70 AD
RIC 1542 (R2). BMC 499. RSC 640. RPC 1916 (5 spec.).
Obv: IMP CAESAR VESPASIANVS AVG; Head of Vespasian, laureate, r.
Rev: VIRTVS AVGVST; Virtus stg. r., l. foot on prow with spear and parazonium
Ex G&N, eBay, 2 May 2011.

 

Here is my Virtus Septimius Severus Denarius from Emesa

 

A couple of mine from Emesa

SEPTIMIUS SEVERUS
AR Denarius
OBVERSE: IMP CAE L SEP SEV PERT AVG COSII - Laureate head right
REVERSE: FELICITAS TEMPOR - Grain ear between crossed cornucopia
Struck at Emesa, 194-195 AD
2.3g, 17mm
RIC 374a

SEPTIMIUS SEVERUS
AR Denarius
OBVERSE: IMP CAE L SEP SEV PERT AVG COS I-I laureate head right
REVERSE: SAECVL FELICIT dot,
seven stars & crescent
Struck at Emesa, 194-195 AD
2.95g, 17.5mm
RIC 417

 

Nice Severus and Domna @nicholasz219 !

The only virtus I have is from the Usurper Allectus!


RI Allectus 293-296 AE Quinarius London Virtus Galley AE17 2.3g S 13870 RIC 55

 

While I am sure my wife and kids wouldn't agree, to me there is no such thing as a boring ancient coin!

 

"Boring" or "amazing" could be in the mind of the beholder !!!

 

That portrait of Julia Domna is interesting. She looks a bit haggard. I would've guess Julia Maesa from the portrait alone. Maybe having Caracalla for a son causes some early wrinkles...

 

Yes I agree @Gavin Richardson she does look considerably older. Considering that the coin is from after the death of Severus maybe you are right. I’m sure when one son kills another, a mother suffers.

@dougsmit and @Bing Quite the lovely coins! @dougsmit Are all of yours from Emesa? Maybe two from Rome?

 

The first is Alexandria. The second and third are Emesa (COS II). The last three are Rome. The third coin (first Rome - repeated below) is a bit out of the ordinary. Can you tell why? Hint: This is something that no catalog would note and few would consider worthy of note but I consider very unusual among the thousands of Septimius denarii I have seen.

 

A couple that are 'on their way' (3 months from Italy!)

 

Sept. Sev.
Rome


Emesa

 

Sev Alex (Not quite the full VIRTVS)

 

@dougsmit Im stumped! I have very little experience with Alexandrian issues which is why I thought the first coin of yours was Emesa as well. To my credit I did think the last two of the post were the two Rome Mint coins. Now I see the third from last shares the style.