I've just been lurking for the past few months as I took a new job that has me working some long hours. Keeping up with cataloging coins as they are bought and arrive has been sort of a challenge. But I do enjoy writing the occasional little article with my coins attached. So every so often I can get my stuff together and put something on the forum. Since I've already covered my pieces from Nikopolis ad Istrum in Moesia Inferior, let me head back east to Markianopolis. Both towns in Moesia Inferior are located in modern day Bulgaria in the northeast corner close to the coast of the Black Sea. The city of Devnya, Bulgaria exists in generally the same space as ancient Markianopolis. The ruins of the amphitheater as well as mosaic artwork can still be seen at sites in Devnya today. After the Second Dacian War ended in 106AD, Trajan renamed the town of Parthenopolis for his sister, Ulpia Marciana. As it lies on important trade routes, the city grew in importance within the Roman Empire with the peak of its influence during the Severan Dynasty. On this fancy map that I took from Google Images, look at the coast of the Black Sea for Odessos and trace your finger about a half inch west. With it's strategic importance and trade routes, Markianopolis was a favorite of barbarian invaders. It was invaded and sacked a few times but restored under Gallienus, elevated to temporary capital by Valens before finally being destroyed in 614-615AD. In any case, with the prosperity the city enjoyed, Markianopolis issued many examples of fine coinage. As a collector of Septimius Severus, it is a pleasure to find some of these very affordable examples. This is one of my finer pieces, with a lovely green patina. Provincial, Markianopolis, Moesia Inferior, AE21, MAPKIANOΠΟΛΙΤΩΝ AE21 Roman Provincial: Markianoplis, Moesia Inferior Septimius Severus Augustus: 193 - 211AD Issued: 21.0mm 6.52gr 8h O: AνΚ Λ CεΠ CεΟνΗΡΟC; Laureate head, right. R: MAPKIANO-ΠΟΛΙΤΩΝ; Tyche standing left, wearing kalathos on head, holding rudder in right hand, cornucopia in left hand. Varbanov 739 Here is a slightly porous Julia Domna with the three Graces. Even with the porosity, I had to buy this coin. It is funny how many eagle or Tyche reverses you will see compared to one of the Graces. Provincial, Markianopolis, Moesia Inferior, AE25, MAPKIANΟΠΟΛΙΤΩΝ AE25 Roman Provincial: Markianopolis, Moesia Inferior Julia Domna Born circa: 170AD - Died: 217AD Augusta: 193 - 217AD 25.0mm 8.26gr 1h O: IΟνΛΙA ΔΟΜΝΑ CΕΒ; Draped bust, hair in bun, right. R: MAPKIANOΠΟΛΙΤΩΝ; Statuary group of the three Graces, standing. Outer two facing, with heads turned inward. Middle with back facing and arms around other two. Markianapolis, Moesia Inferior Mint AMNG I 603; H & J Markianopolis 6.17.26.9 (I believe); Varbanov 887 var. (Obv. legend); Moushmov 417. Based on ACsearch.info, the identification listed above is the best I could surmise without having all of these references to look at. Any further clarification on this attribution would be welcome. Provincial, Markianopolis, Moesia Inferior, AE26, νφΛ ΟνΛΠΙΑΝΟΥ AE26 Roman Provincial: Markianopolis, Moesia Inferior. Septimius Severus Augustus: 193 - 211AD Issued: 210 - 211AD Consular Legate: Flavius Ulpianus 26.0 x 25.0mm 8.10gr 7h O: AνK Λ CεΠT CενΗΡΟC; Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust, right. R: νφΛ ΟνΛΠΙΑ-ΝΟΥ ΜΑΡΚΙΑ-ΝΟΠΟΛ; Kybele seated, right arm outstretched, holding patera, left arm resting on drum. Lions at either side at feet. Hristov & Jekov 6.14.31.14 var. (rev. legend); Varbanov 827 var. (rev. legend); AMNG I 579 var. (rev. legend). With the larger coin sizes, there is plenty of room for magistrates' names. Even, as in this case, at the expense of the city name on the right hand side. Provincial, Markianopolis, Moesia Inferior, AE26, νφΛ ΟνΛΠΙΑΝΟΥ AE26 Roman Provincial: Markianopolis, Moesia Inferior Septimius Severus Augustus: 193 - 211AD Issued: 210 - 211AD 26.0mm 10.19gr 2h O: [AVT Λ CεΠ] CεΟνΗΡΟC; Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust, right. R: νφΛ ΟνΛΠΙΑΝΟΥ ΜΑΡΚΙΑΝΟΠΟΛΙΤΩ; Homonoia standing left, wearing kalathos on head, holding patera in right hand and cornucopia in left hand. Pick 580; Moushmov 385; Varbanov 833. Sometimes, you are lucky and find an excellent piece with all of the legends fully displayed. Provincial, Markianopolis, Moesia Inferior, AE26, VI φΑνCTINIA MAΡΚΙΑΝΟΠΟΛITΩN AE26 Roman Provincial Markianopolis, Moesia Inferior Magistrate: Julius Faustinianus Septimius Severus Augustus: 193 - 211AD 26.0mm 11.71gr 7h O: AV K A CεΠ CενΗΡΟC; Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust, right, seen from behind. R: VI φΑνCTINIA MAΡΚΙΑΝΟΠΟΛITΩN; Tyche standing left, holding rudder and cornucopia. Markianopolis Mint Varbanov 802; Moushmov 394.2 And of course, my favorite, the eagles. Provincial, Markianopolis, Moesia Inferior, AE27, VΦΛ OVΛΛΠIANOV MAPKIANOΠΟΛΙΤΩΝ AE27 Roman Provincial Markianopolis, Moesia Inferior Magistrate: Flavius Ulpianus Septimius Severus Augustus: 193 - 211AD 27.0mm 10.4gr 7h O: AV K Λ CεΠ CεVHPOC; Laureate and draped bust, right. R: VΦΛ OVΛΛΠIANOV MAPKIANOΠΟΛΙΤΩΝ; Eagle standing facing, head right on thunderbolt, wreath in beak. Markianopolis, Moesia Inferior Mint Moushmov 390 Provincial, Markianopolis, Moesia Inferior, AE27, VI φΑνCTINIANOY MAΡΚΙΑΝΟΠΟΛITΩN AE27 Roman Provincial Markianopolis, Moesia Inferior Magistrate: Julius Faustinianus Septimius Severus Augustus: 193 - 211AD Issued: 207 - 210AD 27.0mm 10.8gr 2h O: AY Λ CεΠΤΙ CεΥΗΡΟC Π; Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust, right, seen from behind. R: VI φΑνCTINIANOY MAΡΚΙΑΝΟΠΟΛITΩN; Eagle standing facing on thunderbolt, head left, wreath in its beak. AMNG I 576, var. (obverse legend); SNG Copenhagen 270; SNG Budapest 71; Varbanov 770, var. (obverse legend); BMC 8. I appreciate everyone looking. I know there are some fellow Markianopolis collectors out there. Please jump in! Any provincial coins that you really enjoy, please share here. Here are links to my Forvm collections of Severus and Domna. https://www.forumancientcoins.com/gallery/thumbnails.php?album=6295 https://www.forumancientcoins.com/gallery/thumbnails.php?album=6296
Nice collection @nicholasz219 , here are a few of mine - Macrinus & Diadumenian Caracalla & Julia Domna Elagabalus & Julia maesa
Markianopolis really is a source of beautiful coins. Here is one of my finest coins: Macrinus&Diadumenian, AD 217-218 AE 28, 13.42g, 28.01mm, 0° struck under governor Furius Pontinianus obv. AVT K OPEL CEVH MAKREINOC KM OPELL ANTWNEINOC Confronted heads of Macrinus, laureate, r., and Diadumenian, bare-headed, l. rev. VP PONTIANOV MARKI - ANOPOLEITWN (WN ligate) Athena, wearing Corinthian helmet, in long high-girded chiton with aegis, std. l., resting with l. arm on arm of throne, feeding snake which coiled around olive-tree in front of her; side of throne decorated with a winged Sphinx, std. l.; r. behind her, shield, seen from inside, on the edge owl std. l. ref. a) AMNG I/1, 736, pl. XV, 28 (1 ex., Weiss, same dies) b) Varbanov (engl.) 1174 c) Hristova/Jekov (2013) No.6.24.4.3 (plate coin) very rare, good VF, beautiful brown patina with a hint of green, exceptional rev., the nicest of this city! Enjoy! Jochen
Great post, @nicholasz219 ! Congratulations on your new job. Thank you posting and no longer lurking Here are a few of my favorite provincials. I have more that I need to post. Your excellent thread has inspired me to do so.
Moesian cities produced some wonderful provincials! There are some gorgeous and very interesting coins in this thread. I have just a few from this city. Catalog numbers are copied from the seller attribution or compared to coins in CNG's archive. I really need to expand my provincial library! MOESIA INFERIOR, Markianopolis. Commodus AE 25mm, 8.5 gm circa CE 177-192 Obv: ΑΥ ΚΑΙ Λ ΑΥΡΗ ΚΟΜΟΔΟС; bareheaded, draped, and cuirassed bust right Rev: ΜΑΡΚΙΑΝΟΠΟΛЄΙΤΩΝ; the Three Graces standing facing, heads left, right, and right, respectively: the left holds amphora over dolphin, the center drapes arms over others, and the right holds wreath over amphora Ref: Hristova & Jekov 6.10.26.4; RPC IV online 4319; Varbanov 702 corr. (direction of heads). MOESIA INFERIOR. Markianopolis. Elagabalus (218-222) AE 17, 2.5 gm Obv: AVT K M AVP ANTΩNINOC; laureate head right. Rev: MAPKIANOΠOΛITΩN; Telesphorus standing facing. Ref: Varbanov 1422. MOESIA INFERIOR, Markianopolis Macrinus and Diadumenian, CE 217-218 AE pentassarion, 27 mm, 12.3 gm Obv: AYT K M OΠEΛ CEV MAKPEINOC K M OΠE ANTΩNINOC; Laureate head of Macrinus left and bare head of Diadumenian right, confronted Rev: VΠ ΠONTIANOV MAPKIANOΠOΛEITΩN; Artemis advancing right, reaching for an arrow in quiver at shoulder and holding bow, hound at foot, E in left field Ref: Varbanov 1159 var. (obverse legend); Megaw MAR5.12d; Hristova/Jekov 6.24.13.1
I have had trouble finding examples of the earlier magistrates from Marcianopolis with early style portraits of Septimius Severus. This is Cosconius Gentianus with a very worn Zeus reverse. V K ΓΕΝΤΙΑΝΟV I also lack Auspex, the first legate under Septimius, but have seen coins of his using this same obverse die and suspect they are not numerous. https://www.acsearch.info/search.html?id=3682122
Lovely coins and fantastic, informative write-up, @nicholasz219 Some of my favorite and most interesting coins come from Marcianopolis. Here are a few: This one of Septimius Severus, which led me to wonder if the die-engraver at nearby Anchialus worked at the Marcianopolis mint as well: These coins of the Three Nymphs and Three Graces, which are an obverse die match to yours. Read more here: This one of Caracalla and Julia Domna has a cool reverse type, depicting Apollo preparing to slay Python, the subject of many subsequent works of art and also of this thread: This one of Plautilla, which may have been produced by only a single pair of dies: This one of Elagabalus, in which he looks like a caveman and on which Homonoia appears on the reverse: This unlisted Severus Alexander and Julia Mamaea pentassarion, which I wrote about 2-1/2 years ago: And a couple of Gordian III with Tranquillina pentassaria, one of which depicts Tyche in a temple and was apparently struck with a single pair of dies, and another featuring Nemesis -- one of my favorite goddesses -- on the reverse.
Not just for @TIF , but for anyone wanting to learn more about coins of Dacia and Moesia, AMNG (Pick) Ia and Ib are available online!
Also, Coins of the Balkan Penninsula by Nikola Moushmov has been translated into English and posted online, courtesy of Denitsa Genkova, Dave Surber and Slavei Slaveev: http://www.wildwinds.com/moushmov/
I have posted this one a few times, however, it is my ONLY MARKIANOPOLIS: RI Didumenian and Macrinus 217-218 CE AE28 Markianopolis mint Serapis
Another Beauty: Macrinus&Diadumenian, AD 217-218 AE 26, 9.34g, 26.14mm, 225° struck under governor Furius Pontianus obv. AV K OPEL [SEV] MAKREINOC KM OPEL ANTWNEINOC K confronted busts of Macrinus, draped and cuirassed, laureate, r., and Diadumenian, draped and cuirassed, bare-headed, l. rev. YP. - PONTIANOY MARKIANOPOLEITWN Tyche (Fortuna Redux?), in long garment, std. l. on throne with lion-feet, holding rudder on globe in r. hand and cornucopiae in l. arm; wheel under throne in r. field E (for Pentassarion) ref. a) AMNG I/1, 775, pl. XIX, 11 (1 ex., Bukarest) b) Varbanov (engl.) 1225 var. (cites AMNG 775, but has on obv. heads only) c) Hristova/Jekov (2013) No.6.24.38.13 (plate coin!) Very rare, VF/EF, some scratches on obv., phantastic details on reverse One of the most beautiful spec. of this type! Jochen
SEPTIMIUS SEVERUS AE27 OBVERSE: AV K L CEPTI CEVHROC P, laureate, draped, cuirassed bust right REVERSE: U FL OULPIANOU MARKIANOPOLITWN, Apollo standing facing, head right, bow in left hand, right hand over head, serpent-entwined tree before, altar or statue to left Struck at Markianopolis, Moesia, 145-211 AD 12.5g, 27mm Varbanov 824 MACRINUS AE 26 OBVERSE: ΑΥ Κ ΟΠΕΛ ΣΕΥ ΜΑΚΡΕΙΝΟΣ Κ Μ ΟΠΕΛ ΑΝΤΩΝΕΙΝΟΣ Κ, laureate head of Macrinus right facing bare headed head of Diadumenian left REVERSE: ΥΠ ΠΟΝΤΙΑΝΟΥ ΜΑΡΚΙΑΝΟΠΟΛΕΙΤΩ/Ν, Artemis, huntress, advancing r., reaching for an arrow in quiver at shoulder and in her l. hand holding a bow; below a hound. E to centre l Struck at Markianopolis, Moesia Inferior, 217 - 218 AD 10.4g, 26mm Moushmov 532 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 DIADUMENIAN Assarion OBVERSE: M OPPLLIOC ANTWNEINO/C Bare headed and draped bust right – seen from behind REVERSE: MARKIANO-POLEITWN Aesklepios staff, with serpent entwining Struck at Markianopolis, Moesia Inferior, 218 AD 3.07, 17mm Varbanov 1354 PHILIP II Pentassarion OBVERSE: M IOVLIOC FILIPPOC, KAICAP below, confronted draped busts of Philip II & Serapis REVERSE: MARKIANOPOLEITWN, Aesklepios standing right, head left, leaning on serpent-entwined staff; E in right field Struck at Markianopolis 9.8g, 27mm Moushmov 858; Varbanov 2090
Diadumenian City/Mint Markianopolis Size (mm) 16 Weight (g) 2.99 Ob. Leg. M OPELLIC ANTWNEINOC Ob. Desc. Bare headed and draped bust of Diadumenian, right Meaning Marcus Opellius Antonius Rev. Leg. MARKIANO-POLEITWN Rev. Desc. Eros/Thanatos standing left, resting chin on palm, leaning on (extinguished) inverted brand Meaning (Coin) of the people of Markianopolis – A prince crowned by the gods
Hallo Clavdivs! AMNG I/1, 796; Hristova/Jekov (2014) 6.25.16.1 (same dies), scarce obv. M OPELLIOC ANTWNINOC Best regards Jochen
Marcianopolis with Septimius Severus, Julia Domna, Caracalla and Geta standing on triumphal arch or city gate.
Great history and coins, @nicholasz219. Thanks! My only Marcianopolis coin is not in great shape, but a rarity: Elagabalus and Julia Maesa. Moesia Inferior, Marcianopolis, minted under Legate (Governor) Julius Antonius Seleucus, ca. 220-221 CE. Æ Pentassarion (30mm, 13.57g, 12h). Julius Antonius Seleucus, legatus consularis. Æ27, 11.09g. Moushmov 682, Varbanov 1638 (R5), Zhekov/Jekov 6.28.39.1 (R6), P.R. 969, H.M. 682. Obv: AVT K M AVΡH ANTΩNEINOC AVΓ IOVΛIA MAICA AVΓ; laureate head of Elagabalus r., facing diademed and draped bust of Maesa l. Rx: VΠ • IOVΛ ANT • CEΛE – VKOV MAΡKIANOΠOΛI / TΩN in exergue; Liberalitas standing l., holding coin counter and cornucopia; in field r., Є. Very rare. F. This coin is a die duplicate of an example found at https://sites.google.com/site/elagabaluscoins/ (author unidentified); however, the reverse type of that coin is misdescribed as Libertas (rather than the correct Liberalitas), and the obverse head of Elagabalus is misdescribed as bust, draped and cuirassed.
A beauty from Markianopolis Macrinus&Diadumenian, AD 217-218 AE 27 (Pentassarion), 13.58g, 26.91mm, 45° struck under governor Furius Pontianus obv. AV K OPPEL CEVH MAKREINOC below in 3 lines KM OPPEL AN / TWNINOC DI / ADOVMEN confronted heads of Diadumenian, bare-headed, r., and Macrinus, laureate, l. rev. VP PONTIAN - OV MARKIAN / OPOLITWN Female figure, with chignon, reclining on rock l., holding in extended r. hand bunch of flowers(?), resting with l. arm on font(?), rabbit r. on Ground in l. field E (for Pentassarion) ref. a) AMNG I/1, 755 (only 1 ex. in Bukarest, but rabbit not mentioned!) b) Varbanov (engl.) 1265 (here called Elpis!) c) Hristova/Jekov (2013) No.6.24.5.3 corr. (plate coin, writes DIA - DOVMEN in error, figure called Demeter or Moesia(?)) Rare, VF/about EF, the most beautiful specimen known! The female figure could be the mountain nymph Rhodope (Seguin, Paris 1665) or perhaps Moesia itself (Pat Lawrence). Due to the running discussion on the Forum there is a very strong resemblance to the HISPANIA coins of Hadrian with Hispania reclining l., holding branch, rabbit below. (Curtis Clay) For an indeep discussion of this type please look at the thread 'Unknown beauty from Marcianopolis' on the board 'Classical Numismatics' at Forum Ancient Coins. Best regards Jochen
Macrinus & Diadumenian, AD 217-218 AE 28, 12.14g, 27.51mm, 180° struck under governor P. Furius Pontianus obv. AVT K OPELLI CEV MAKREINOC KM OPELLI ANTWNEINOC Confronting busts of Macrinus, draped and cuirassed, laureate, r., and Diadumenian, draped, bare-headed, l. rev. VP PONTIANOV MARKIANOPOLEITWN (OV ligate) Herakles Farnese, bearded, nude, stg. r., r. hand behind back, resting with r. arm on club covered with lion's skin set in arm pit stg. on rocks (?) in l. field E ref. a) AMNG I/1, 753 (2 ex., St.Petersburg, Sestini) b) Varbanov (engl.) 1291 corr. (writes in error different obv. legend and describes bust wrongly) c) Hristova/Jekov (2013) No. 6.24.14.2 (plate coin) d) Pfeiffer 254 (same dies) e) Megaw MAR5.29c (this coin) scarce, VF, black green patina pedigree: ex coll. Lars Rutten This is the famous Herakles Farnese of Lysipp. The depiction of the rock is strange. Pick writes: "According to Sestini's description the club rests on four apples. This could be true for the ex. from St.Petersburg too." But on this specimen it is obviously neither a rock nor four apples. It looks like 4 balls of wool! Jochen