Early in his reign Septimius Severus had to fight off Pescennius Niger in the east. This brought about coinage closer to the battle. Emesa was the Imperial Mint until 195 AD. This is a scarce Emesa Mint Imperial Denarius with Fortuna Redux. The coin is outstanding on its on but it has a fantastic strike, well centered, great style and a glimmering tone. It has gold, copper, blue and rose toning. Very eye appealing. Septimius Severus, 193-211 AD 19 mm, 2.9g, 6h, Emesa Mint, 194-195 AD. Obv. IMP CAE L SEP SEV PERT AVG COS II, Laureate head right. Rev. FORTVN R-EDVC, Fortuna standing, head left, rudder in right hand, cornucopia in left.
Fortuna Reduci is one of the more common and varied 'Emesa' types. In addition to the standing with rudder, we have seated with rudder seated with branch standing as Pax sacrificing standing a Hilaritas with long palm Add to that all the legend variations and minor details, There are really quite a few for those who want the 'set'. This is the only one I have seen with cross supports under the chair. Anyone have one? My most rare is the left facing obverse with Pax sacrificing reverse. I also would like to see others of this type. Of course, Laodicea has some of these as well. Hilaritas sacrificing two cornucopia Several of the variations were also made for Julia Domna but this one make the allowable limit of ten per post. I would not call the type 'scarce' but coins as nice as the OP coin certainly are not seen every day and some of the minor varieties are rare or even unique. I got most of mine 20-30 years ago when most collectors considered Septimius not worth collecting. I remember one dealer ar a show in the nineties that told me that the only collectable Septimius were the late period Rome mint SEVERVS PIVS AVG coins and that the rest were of poor style and should be avoided. I avoided shopping at his table.
This coming March will be 6 years ago. It’s a great looking coin. I should have opened it before but the amount of hours I was working didn’t allow me the time to do so. I still have boxes and boxes and even more small packages and envelopes to open, some dating back to 2009. I’ll get through them one day. I think it’s a wonderful and beautiful looking coin.
The more I read and research, the more I find coins of Severus and Domna which are surprising. So many types have only one or two extant and many others come up very infrequently. The VOTIS DECENNALIBUS types are an example that come to mind.
Here's a Severus from Rome ex the Sallent collection. Septimius Severus, A.R. Denarius, Rome mint, 210 C.E. 3.3 grams, 19.1 mm Obverse: Laureate head right, SEVERVS PIVS AVG Reverse: PMTRP XVIII COS III PP Neptune standing left, nude but for cloak over left shoulder and right arm, right foot on rock, right arm resting on right knee, trident vertical behind in left hand.
really nice coin, unfortunately I don't have any from Emesa. But here some from Rome: Obverse: L SEPT SEV PERT AVG IMP VIII, laureate head right. Reverse: VOTA PVBLICA, Severus standing left, holding patera over altar sacrificing 3.35 gr, diamter: 17.79 mm Obverse: Laureate bust of Severus right, L SEPT SEV AVG IMP XI PART MAX Reverse: Victory advancing left, holding wreath and trophy, at feet left a captive, VICT PARTHICAE 2.69 gr, Diameter 18.37 mm
I gathered far too many of the OP type in the early formation of my collection when I gathered everything I could from these eastern mints. Though now I try and focus on the odd obverse legend varieties when I can get hold of them same reverse type but seated Pietas type Pax Hilaritas Cornucopia and scepter Aequitas (possibly an engraving error)
Yet another Fortuna: Septimius Severus. 193-211 AD. AR Denarius (19x17mm; 3.08 gm; 6h). Emesa mint. Struck 194 AD. Obv: Laureate head right. Rev: Fortuna standing left, holding long palm and cornucopia. RIC IV 383; RSC 175a
Here’s mine Septimius Severus (AD 193-211). AR denarius (18mm, 1h). NGC AU. Emesa, AD 194-195. IMP CAE L•SEP•SE-V•PERT AVG, laureate head of Septimius Severus right / M-ONETA-E A-VG, Moneta standing facing, head left, with scales in right hand, cornucopia in left. RIC IV.I 350a.
If all the regular posters on Coin Talk were to dump all of their Eastern Severans for sale at the same time, we could wreck that market for several years. Anyone want a thousand variations of which most folks don't even want one?
I’ve got one and that’s all I need. I’m not a variety or a variations collector but I get what your saying.
I wonder why there are so many surviving denarii of Septimius Severus? I wish there were as many surviving denarii of Augustus and Claudius.
