Septimius September!

Post 100 in this oober fun thread! Thanks RC
I keep watching the thread each morning thinking my handful of Septys are gonna bring this thread back, so as not to miss a Septimius day in September... yeah, this thread is off the chains.
Here's my oft trotted out favorite:

I've a real doozy on the way. Hopefully it comes before Oct, the tenth month named after the eighth so I can share it

 

Log in or Sign up to hide this ad.

Sharing this one for a variety of reasons.

It is in classic eastern IMP II style. If I saw the bust without the legends or the reverse I could still place it in this issue.
It has fill legends and devices, which is not always a given for my collection
It is a classic example of a coin that let to mis-attribution of coin in RIC and BMCRE to non-existent IMP or IMP I issues from this mint. The Is here are beneath the bust.
The reverse legend should read BONI EVENTVS but despite having plenty of room the engraver simply started getting short of space by the time he reached the N and the T and V and crammed in and there wan't room for the S

Obv:– L SEPT SEV P-ERET AVG IMP - II, Laureate head right
Rev:– BONI EVENTV, Fides standing left holding basket of fruits in right hand, grain ears in left
Minted in Laodicea-ad-Mare. A.D. 195
Reference(s) – BMCRE -. RIC IV -. RSC -.

 

10. From the mint formerly known as 'Emesa' comes an ordinary COS II dated obverse paired with a reverse showing crossed cornucopia and one barley stalk or, as they are cataloged in the UK English, an ear of corn. The legend on these is some abbreviation of FELICITAS TEMPORVM. Here we read FEIICIT TIMLOR.. with the E in a style not usual in either Greek or Latin. The L lacks its lower element and is tall like the I between C and T while its neighboring I and the one between T and M are short. I do not have an explanation for the L where we expect a P. The reverse die is fresh and boldly struck so this is not an artifact of poor condition. Note there are arced remnants of the guide lines for letters at the bottom. This is one of the dies adding dots at the end which I maintain have some coded meaning (not just space fillers) even though I do not claim to know what that meaning is. This coin demonstrates what might be a good idea to remember: "All Eastern Severans are strange; some are just stranger than others."


For the record: It has long been obvious that the traditional BMC/RIC mint attributions and assignments need reevaluation. My fanciful nature prefers the concept of mints that travelled with the Emperor while he was in the area dealing with Pescennius Niger and those that were slow to abandon his cause even after he was dead. What we don't know about this subject would fill a very large book. There are theories filling in for facts but proving any of them is quite another matter. Last I saw, the British Museum was using "Cappadocia". I prefer to keep using "Emesa" with the quotation marks being required to indicate we still don't know what we never knew. Theories are fine. The problem comes when we start thinking we have answers before we understand the questions.

The British Museum has a coin (ex. Bickford-Smith) that combines this reverse design with the legend they catalog as BONI EVENTVS (as shown by maridvnvm above) but which I read as BONI EVINTVS.
https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/C_1997-1203-83
This attracts my attention more than appropriate for a one letter spelling error (after all, this is an Eastern Severan) because it matches the first coin of Pescennius Niger I was able to obtain (1999). Please forgive my insertion of a non-SS coin in this thread. I'll possibly do it again before October.

(I consider the lack of the last letter in EVINTVS or EVINTVC a matter of condition but I would like to see a die match that settled that question). Who was it that said: "All Eastern Severans are strange; some are just stranger than others." That is why I collect them. While Pescennius and Septimius would not appreciate being lumped together for the purpose, I do believe it best to study them each being aware of the other to some degree.

 

Those are two fantastically interesting coins Doug.

Following on from your crossed cornucopiae I can only echo your statement that "All Eastern Severans are strange; some are just stranger than others."

Obv:– IM-P CAE L SEP SEV PERT AVG COS I, Laureate head right
Rev:– FELICITAS TIMPO (sic), two grain ears between crossed cornucopiae.
Minted in Emesa. A.D. 194-195
Reference:- Cohen -. BMCRE -, RIC IV -, RSC -



Here the obverse legend starts under the bust, which is relatively unusual in itself.

I have it attributed as a COS I and this starting legend positioning is something I have seen on a few coins from this issue.

It is the reverse that makes this one stranger. The engraver of the legends was not the most skilled. The F is poorly executed. The E looks as though he simply didn't complete the middle bar. The L has issues too but might be clogged out on the bottom bar. There is an I for an E and a missing R in TEMPOR.

The killer detail on this one that I haven't seen another example of is the double grain ears.

 

Nice killer detail of the grain ears - for comparison here's a COS II example with grain "ear" not "ears".

Septimius Severus, AD 193-211, AR Denarius (19mm, 2.78 g, 12h), "COS II series", struck AD 194-195
Obv: IMP CAE L SEP SEV PERT AVG COS II, laureate head right
Rev: FELICIT TEMPOR, grain ear between crossed cornucopiae
Ref: RIC IV 373; BMCRE 347; RSC 142b

 

That's a very nice RIC 373 and much nicer than my standard version (below)



I am a sucker for variants / differences and these eastern mints have plenty of them if you have the eye for detail and patience to wait for them

Obv:– IMP CAE L SEP SEV PERT AVG COS I, Laureate head right
Rev:– FEILECITAS (sic) TEMPOR, grain ear between crossed cornucopiae
Minted in Emesa. A.D. 194 - 195
Reference:– BMCRE -. RIC -. RSC -.



AVG II CO with FELICITAS TEMPOR


COS II - TEMPOM for TEMPOR


COS II - TEMPO for TEMPOR (RIC 372)


The reverse of this coin has been struck with two different reverse dies during the striking process. The coin was originally struck, not removed and then struck again with a different reverse die.

Combines FELICIT TEMPOR and VICTOR SEVER AVG types

 

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

 

Septemberius 10th - not having one of those interesting dual-cornucopiae types, here is a vaguely-attributed Victory type (missing some legend). This one has mount marks on the smoothed-off edge and is rather heavy - possible "jeweler's copy"?:


Septimius Severus Denarius
(c. 195-197 A.D.)
Rome Mint
L SEPT SEV PE [RT AVG IMP (V-VIII?)], laureate head right / ARAB AD[IAB] COS II PP, Victory walking left holding wreath and trophy.
RIC 58 63a 64 or 76 (IMP No.)
(3.58 grams / 17 mm)
eBay June 2018

The edge:

 

I am of the opinion that the same person cut the legends on this coin and on my TIMLOR. The left side legends are just too similar.

Did you notice the obverse die crack? A story: A while back right here on CT, John Anthony had an auction to which I consigned the coin below. I could look up the reference but I'm lazy. It was too ugly for the CT crowd and received no bids despite what I considered a reasonable start price.


I decided to sell it because I also had this one which had more wear but better centering.


Seeing no reason to give away the coin, I had JAZ return it to me after it failed to sell. I decided to try a short dip in lemon juice and all that nice original toning went down the drain. However, now it is easier to see the crack and laurel wreath details. There will be those with opposite opinions on which is better looking. We are left with the question of whether the wear of one is more or less offensive than the letters obverse right that fell off the flan. Too bad we can't take two coins and merge their strong points. The two are B and H on my die link quiz page. It was wrong for me to try to sell him. I hope he forgives me.

 

I’m behind.


Provincial, Samosata, Commagene, AE28, Φ CΑΜΟCΑΤεωΝ THC MΗTPΟΠΟΛε
AE28 Tetrassarion
Roman Provincial: Samosata, Commagene
Septimius Severus
Augustus: 193 - 211AD
Issued: ?
28.0mm 12.99gr 6h
O: Λ CεΠ CεΟYHPOC ΠεΡΤΙΝΑΖ CεΒ; Laureate head, left.
R: Φ CΑΜΟCΑΤεωΝ THC MΗTPΟΠΟΛε; Two turreted, veiled and draped busts of Tyche, confronted.
Samosata, Commagene Mint
Righetti IV 324; SNG Cop -; SNG Munchen 388; BMC Galatia 31 var. (reverse legend).



Provincial, Sillyon, Pamphylia, AE19, CΙΛΛεΩΝ
AE19
Roman Provincial: Sillyon, Pamphylia
Septimius Severus
Augustus: 193 - 211AD
Issued: ?
19.0mm 5.80gr 6h
O: AYK C CεΟΥΗ-ΡΟC ΠεΡ; Laureate head, right; beaded border.
R: CΙΛΛ-εΩΝ; Ares standing left, head turned right, holding shield in right hand, spear in left hand; beaded border.
SNG von Aulock 4880.



Provincial, Thessalonica, Macedon, AE25, ΘεCCΑΛΟΝΙΚεΩΝ
AE25
Roman Provincial: Thessalonica, Macedon
Septimius Severus
Augustus: 193 - 211AD
Issued:
24.90mm 12.51gr 6h
O: ΑΥ Κ Λ CεΠ CεΥΗΡΟC Πε; Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust, right; beaded border.
R: ΘεCCΑΛ-ΟΝΙΚεΩΝ; Nike advancing left, holding wreath and palm branch; beaded border.
Thessalonica, Macedon
BMC 5/89; Touratsoglou - (V5, R-; unlisted reverse); cf. Moushmov 6738; Varbanov 4341; cf. CNG E-sale 415, 2018; 418 (these dies).
ex. Numismatica Ars Classica NAC AG OW 276, 756; ex. Naville Numismatics auction 50, Lot 142.
Naville Numismatics Auction 67, Lot 116.




Provincial, Thyateira, Lydia, AE19, ϑΥΑΤεΙΡΗΝΩΝ
AE19
Roman Provincial: Thyateira, Lydia
Septimius Severus
Augustus: 193 - 211AD
Issued: ?
19.0mm 3.90gr 6h
O: ΑΥΤ Κ Λ CεΠ CεΟΥΗΡΟC; Laureate head, right.
R: ϑΥΑΤε-ΙΡΗΝΩΝ; Asklepios, standing facing, head left, right hand holding snake-entwined staff.
Thyateira, Lydia Mint
BMC 92; Paris M3136; SNG Munich 640; SNG von Aulock 8277.



Provincial, Tyana, Cappadocia, AE28, TYANεΩΝ ΤΡΤ ΙεΡ ΚΑCY KAY
AE28
Roman Provincial: Tyana, Cappadocia
Septimius Severus
Augustus: 193 - 211AD
Issued: 195 - 196AD (Regnal Year 4)
28.0mm 15.3gr 7h
O: AY K Λ CεΠ CεΟνΗΡΟC; Laureate head, right.
R: [TYANεΩΝ ΤΡΤ ΙεΡ Κ]ΑCY KAY; Zebu bull, standing right.
SNG von Aulock 6542



Septimius Severus, Denarius, AFRICA
AR Denarius
Septimius Severus
Augustus: 193 - 211AD
Issued: 202 - 210AD
19.6mm 1.90gr 6h
O: SEVERVS PIVS AVG; Laureate head, right.
R: AFRICA; Africa, reclining left, wearing elephant skin headdress, holding scorpion and cornucopiae, basket of corn ears at feet.
Rome Mint
RIC IV-1 Rome 254; Cohen 31.



Septimius Severus, Denarius, AFRICA
AR Denarius
Septimius Severus
Augustus: 193 -211AD
Issued: 207AD
20.0mm 3.29gr 1h
O: SEVERVS PIVS AVG; Laureate head, right; beaded border.
R: AFRICA; Africa standing right, wearing elephant skin headdress, holding fold of her dress, lion at feet to right; beaded border.
Rome Mint
RIC IV-1 Rome 253; RSC 25; BMC 309; Sear 6260; Aorta: 750: B3, O81, R16, T3, M4.



Septimius Severus, Denarius, CONCORDIAE MILITVM
AR Denarius
Septimius Severus
Augustus: 193 - 211AD
Issued: 197 - 198AD
18.48mm 2.58gr 0h
O: L SEPT SEV PERT AVG IMP X; Laureate head, right.
R: CONCORDI-AE MILITVM; Concordia, standing facing, head left, holding standard in each hand.
Rome Mint
RIC IV Rome 108; Aorta: 674: B3, O59, R62, T35, M4.



Septimius Severus, Denarius, IOVI PROPVGNATORI
AR Denarius
Septimius Severus
Augustus: 193 - 211AD
Issued: 199AD
19.5 x 17.0mm 3.26gr 7h
O: L SEPT SEV AVG IMP XI PART MAX; Laureate head, right.
R: IOVI PRO-P-VG-NATORI; Jupiter standing right, aiming thunderbolt and raising hand.
Rome Mint
Sear 6291; BMC 132; RSC 243; RIC IV Rome 131; Aorta: 493: B3, O45, R137, T103, M4.
gVF



Septimius Severus, Denarius, PM TR P XIX COS III PP
AR Denarius
Septimius Severus
Augustus: 193 - 211AD
Issued: December, 210 - February 4, 211AD
19.0 x 18.0mm 3.58gr 0h
O: SEVERVS PIVS AVG BRIT; Laureate bust, right; beaded border.
R: PM TR P XIX COS III PP; Neptune standing left, stepping on rocks, resting hand on lap and holding trident in left hand.
Rome Mint
C 564; RIC IV Rome 244; Hill 1271.

 

September 11th - an AFRICA sestertius:


Septimius Severus Æ Sestertius
(194 A.D.)
Rome Mint
L SEPT SEV PERT AVG IM[P III], laureate head right, slight drapery on left shoulder / [AFRICA] S-C, Africa standing right, holding out fold of drapery containing fruits, lion std. right.
RIC 668b; Cohen 26.
(18.67 grams / 28 x 26 mm)
eBay Sep. 2020
Attribution Note:
Appears to have slight drapery; only RIC 668 has this option, per OCRE. IMP number obverse not visible, two versions possible:

RIC 668; Cohen 26: IMP III
RIC 676; Cohen 29: IMP IIII

 

The first Septimius Severus denarius I bought individually:

L SEPT SEV AVG IMP XI PART MAX, head of Septimius Severus, laureate, right / VICTORIAE AVGG FEL, Victory, winged, draped, flying left, holding wreath in both hands over shield set on low base
RIC IV Septimius Severus 144B (denarius)
197-200

 

Here's one from a group lot. A little assarion with a weird flan.


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.

 

11. For day Eleven it seems appropriate to show one of my Stranger Things. In truth, one could make a large collection of coins showing Septimius Severus that just don't fit into the scheme of the official mints. Some of these are just a little off the normal but others are approaching hilarious when it comes to style. Some are plated and most likely made by counterfeiters out for profit. Some are made of silver of one degree of fineness or another and could be a money of necessity intended for use by a people cut off from normal coin supplies but still desiring coins for a cash economy. Selecting one of my Stranger Things for this position was not easy but this coin certainly deserves being considered.

The coin is fourree so we can expect anything and everything. There is a bit of core showing on the ear and a few other spots on the head. However the coin weighs 3.2g which is rather good compared to many solid denarii of this period. At first glance the legend seems to be for Septimius but the portrait has a bare head and rather resembles Clodius Albinus. For an unofficial coin, the portrait seems rather fine style. Reading the obverse legend we see SE RT SEV PERT AVG IMP V. Die workers who spoke Greek often had trouble with using a P (Greek Rho) for a Latin R but here we see the opposite substituting an R where a P was appropriate. Normal coins of the IMP V issue bear an L for Lucius at the start of the legend but the L is clearly missing here.

Moving to the reverse we see the figure of Minerva with branch, staff and shield oriented in the manner usual for Rome mint coins of Clodius Albinus but in a somewhat rough style that matches neither the official Roman nor the decent portrait on this coin. Worse is the legend PM TRP III COS II PP. The first thing that grabs our eye is the huge M of PM. For that matter, the P is a bit oversize compared to the P in TRP but nothing like that M. All that acreage taken by the M pushed the final I of III over to the right side. Space was short again at the end where we expect PP but the second P had to cross over to the left where it was crowded in next to the P of PM. We know that the Romans had a different view on letter spacings than we do but PP M TR PII ICOSIIP does seem a bit much.
Those counting may note I found this coin strange in Eleven ways. This coin may not be Eastern but it still qualifies as interesting enough to make my collection.

 

That's a bizarre but VERY interesting coin, @dougsmit. It does resemble this Clodius Albinus in my collection.

 

I did not recognize it as a die crack until you pointed it out. The transformation by lemon juice is quite surprising. We can make a virtual Frankencoin, but not as satisfying as a real coin.

 

SEPTIMIUS SEVERUS
AR Denarius
OBVERSE: SEVERVS PIVS AVG, laureate head right
REVERSE: RESTITVTOR VRBIS, Roma seated left holding palladium & spear, round sheild below
Struck at Rome, 207 AD
1.9g, 19mm
RIC 288

 

Obv:- IMP CAE L SEP-T SEV PERT AVG. Laureate head right
Rev:- SAEC FRVGIF COS, Saeculum Frugiferum., radiate, standing left, holding winged caduceus and trident
Minted in Rome. A.D. 193
Reference:- BMCRE -. RIC IV 19 (Rated Rare); RSC 622.

About 8 examples from 2 reverse dies known to Curtis Clay. This example from a different reverse die to the British Museum example

 

Well, it appears my Septimius Severus number of coins has just increased.
Just won this one - I liked it instantly.
This is my first coin with confronting busts of any emperor and empress - I wanted one like this. The details are good, I like the patina, the coin is well centered, the legends are fully visible, this was love at first sight.
I sure hope this was not tooled.



28 mm, 11,42 g

Septimius Severus, with Julia Domna. AD 193-211. Moesia, Marcianopolis.
Flavius Ulpianus, legatus consularis. Struck AD 210-211. Æ Pentassarion .
Laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust of Septimius Severus and draped bust of Julia Domna facing one another / Fortuna/Tyche standing left, holding rudder and cornucopia; Є (mark of value) to left. H&J, Marcianopolis 6.15.35.4; Varbanov 868.

 

Fantastic! I love those dual-portrait issues from the Black Sea region!