Okay, probably somewhat worn die on the reverse is not really to like about it. But still: a goddess on a lion! Running over freakin' flowing water! With a thunderbolt! And a sceptre! How cool is that: Septimius Severus AR Denarius. Rome Mint 204 AD. Obverse: SEVERVS PIVS AVG, laureate head of Septimius Severus right. Reverse: INDVLGEN-TIA AVGG, IN CARTH in exergue, the Dea Caelestis, holding thunderbolt and scepter, seated facing on lion leaping right over rushing waters. References: RIC 266 Also: a Septimius Severus, well centered, on a broad flan. You don't see that every day. Show anything you deem relevant
This is a decent example of a common but interesting type that belongs in any Severan collection and would make a good choice if you only want one coin of this ruler. Specialists will find variations with a drum in place of the thunderbolt as well as coins in the name of young Caracalla. There are some (that I don't have) that lack the staff. regular drum Caracalla As far as I'm concerned there is nothing not to like about the type. The question is whether you will stop with just one example. BTW: Coins of Septimius went through periods of really fine workmanship and periods when it seemed that no one at the mint cared. This issue is usually pretty well made. Coins from a few years earlier are hard to find well centered and complete. 'Budget' specimens sold to people who want just one Septimius tend to be from the period of poor workmanship dated IMP V to X but you will have more luck getting good looking coins from the SEVERVS PIVS AVG period. About this same time, Septimius is shown with his pointed, curly beard which people tend to associate with him. It grew longer in his later years so one-per-ruler collectors tend to favor these later coins. Personally, I am a fan of the earlier, shorter beard portraits including those from the Eastern mints. This is Rome. 'Emesa' (or not according to who you read) Alexandria A collection of a thousand coins of Septimius is not nearly complete. The Water Works lion is a good start.
Cool coin, @Roerbakmix ! Great lion / goddess RI Septimus Severus 193-211 AR Denarius Genius Sacrificing
This design was also used on Severan provincials. It's a shame that the goddess's face was affected by some BD (treated), but this coin is very scarce and it may be a decade or more before I have the opportunity to upgrade it. Julia Domna AD 193-217. Roman provincial Æ 23 mm, 11.12g. Moesia Inferior, Nikopolis ad Istrum, legate Aurelius Gallus, AD 201-203. Obv: IOVΛIA ΔOMNA CE, draped bust right. Rev: VΠ AVΡ ΓAΛΛOV NIKOΠOΛITΩN ΠΡOC ICTΡON, Magna Mater (Cybele) riding lion right, holding scepter and tympanum. Refs: H&J, Nikopolis 8.17.31.1; Varbanov 2894 (same dies); AMNG --; Moushmov --; SNG Copenhagen --; BMC Thrace --; Lindgren --; Mionnet --.
Nothing. There is nothing not to like about that coin . I can't believe I don't yet have a goddess riding a lion!
Wish I had one. I'm content with this SEVERVS PIVS AVG featuring Neptune, struck perhaps with an eye towards Septimius' overseas travels. In any case by this time as Doug says they may have had a new celator at the mint and more talented engravers.
Well, this is terrible-looking, but it is Hekate riding sidesaddle on a lion, which supposedly has a dog's tail (the lion, not Hekate). A good one for Hallowe'en I guess: Pseudo-Autonomous Æ 20 Caria, Stratonicaea (1st - 2nd centuries A.D.) Zeus Panamaros on horseback right, altar to right (?) / Hekate, with veil billowing, on lion, radiate tail of a dog, left; [magistrate’s name] in legend. Cf. SNG Keckman 258. SNG Cop 500 var. (no altar) (5.57 grams / 20 mm)
