Help needed for an unknown object!

Dear friends!

Recently I got an interesting so-called "barbaric" imitation of Nikopolis where I need help.

AE 16, 3.63g, 16.41mm, 210°
obv. AVT K M A[VP] - [ANTΩNINOC]
Bust, draped and cuirassed laureate, r.
rev. NIKOΠO - [ΛI]TΩN (from upper right)
unknown object
ref. a) not in AMNG
b) not in Hristova/Hoeft/Jekov (2018):
rev. not listed
obv. cf. No. 8(?).26(?).8.1

The problem is the unknown object. I am aware that there is the opinion that imitations are not bound to realities in the choice of their backsides. But I think that the die cutter must have had a role model. Here I have the question, what could it have been ? Unfortunately a part of the representation is damaged by a die break.

Therefore I have shown the back side again and marked clear structures yellow for comparison.

Now I only hope that somebody has a good idea!

With thanks in advance
Jochen

 

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The first thing that came to mind is a " Snake entwined Staff "
A common enough Reverse type.

 

Is there some reason you are orienting the reverse so the legend starts top right rather than lower left? Turning it upside down does not answer the question with certainty but the originals were that way.
Yes, my Caracalla Caesar obverse is lettered base out.

 

Some ideas.
A barbarous denarius of Caracalla: Obv. Head of Caracalla right. Rev. Lituus, cutellus, capis, simpulum, and aspergillum. 17 mm, 2.7 gr. Compare RIC 4. Texts unreadable (Greek?) after "M AVR ANTONINVS CAES" / "SEVERI AVG PII FIL".



AE17 Septimius Severus (193-211). Moesia Inferior, Nikopolis ad Istrum. Obv. Laureate head right. AV KAI CE CEVHΡOC. Rev. Priapus standing left. NIKOPOLI TWN [PROC IC]. 17 mm, 2.41 gr.


AE18 assarion Septimius Severus 193-211, Moesia Inferior, Nikopolis ad Istrum. Obv. Laureate head right. Rev. Serpent drinking from tripod. 16 mm, 2.84 gr.



And your coin with reverse reversed:

 

Club of Herakles?


Septimius Severus, AD 193-211.
Roman provincial Æ assarion, 16.0 mm, 2.51 g, 1 h.
Moesia Inferior, Nicopolis ad Istrum.
Obv: ΑV Λ CΕVΗΡΟC, laureate head right.
Rev: ΝΙΚΟΠΟΛΙ ΠΡΟC ΙC, club.
Refs: AMNG I 1425; Moushmov 970.

 

Thank you for sharing your opinions. Unfortunately, I don't think any of them are absolutely convincing. But they all have one thing in common: Nobody considers the image to represent a deity. I had initially thought of a cult object.

Jochen

 

..why, the reverse is obvious....it's a mouse climbing a vine........

 

Perhaps a torch, given the narrowness at one end and the flaring out at the other. This is Septimius Severus from Nicopolis (Varbanov 2316 corr. via wildwinds).





Here is one for Antoninus Pius from Dionysopolis (Varbanov 428 via Naville Numismatics live auction 21, lot 201)


Just a suggestion.

 

Dear Edward!

Thank you for your suggestion. I have thought of these too.

BTW The upper depiction is correctly called "Gushed fountain with three levels." Ref.: Hristova/Hoeft/Jekov (2018) 8.14.47.33

Best regards

 

Dear Friends of provincial coins!

The rev. of this coin has not left me in peace. Now I have talked with an expert for antique statues about it. And he immediately replied that it would undoubtedly be an illustration of Aphrodite:

"Aphrodite after bathing, depicted from behind, has put her right leg on a stool to dry off."

And that explains all the details that caused me trouble: The left vertical structure at the bottom is her left leg, and the right one belongs to the stool. I for myself was convinced by this Explanation and I wanted to share it with you.

I have added a new photo.


Best regards
Jochen

 

Interesting!

 

Perhaps a Trophy of Arms? I know that type exists at Nicopolis for Septimius Severus but has seated captives....