First this coin is really rough which coupled with my extrordinary photography skill makes for an even less desireable thing to look at. I'm attempting to attribute this but have come to a fork in the road. Elagabalus, AR Denarius 21mm, 4.1g, 218 AD IMP CAES M AVR ANTONINVS AVG laureate, draped cuirassed bust right PONTIF MAX TR D Roma seated left holding victory and spear My question is is it RIC 8 or RIC 8b? I'm thinking b for 2 I think obvious reasons. All on the reverse. 1) the pronounced MA on MAX. 2) the helmet style Then this is were I'm not sure. Is that a sheild next to her? It should be kinda right below the seat. Thanks for your input! Seeing Parthicus thread got me pondering. Oh yeah, share whatever you have.
There is only a RIC 8, no RIC 8b. The B which you are talking about probably refers to the obverse bust type, which RIC lists as either B (head right, laureate, bust draped) or D ((head right, laureate, bust draped and cuirassed) Yes, it is a shield. The description from RIC "Roma seated l., holding Victory and sceptre; by her side, shield."
Was thinking samething. Wildwinds has RIC 8 with 5 examples then lists an 8b With right facing bust on both
My impression is that the style of this coin just is not 'right' for the official mint of that period and the chance of it being a barbarous/unofficial copy is present. There are solid (non-fourree) imitations from this period that may vary a bit in style from regular mint product. I do not know a specialist in Elagabalus to ask. I would just call it an RIC 8 and leave it at that. This volume of RIC lists bust types all together with the same number. In this case there is a b and a d of which this looks like b but it is not a case where I would feel obligated to quote the b like I would if there were numbers inserted. This is not handled consistently even in RIC IV with its committee of authors each doing things 'their way'.
