HUGE Provincial

Not quite as cool as your x6 example, Chris, but it was as if my bidding hand was forced...

SEVERUS ALEXANDER
AE35. 25.69g, 34.7mm. PONTUS, Amaseia, RY 234 (AD 231/2). SNG von Aulock 43. O: AYT K CEYHPOC AΛEΞANΔPOC, laureate, draped and cuirassed bust right. R: AΔ CEY AΛE AMACIAC MH N ΠP Π / ET CΛΔ, Altar of Zeus Strateus, surmounted by eagle standing facing, head left, with wings spread; tree to left; above, Helios driving facing quadriga.

 

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Many large Roman provincial types were issued under Gordian III (238-244). Here is one, large at 38 mm, but far from the largest:


Gordian III and Tranquillina, 38 mm and 27.87 grams.
Struck at Seleucia ad Calycadnum, Cilicia
The reverse has Tyche and Apollo.
Sear Greek Imperial --. SNG Danish Cilicia 218. SNG von Aulock 5845. SNG France 2 1035. SNG Levante 776

Roman Provincial Coinage volume VII.1 covers Gordian III from the Province of Asia (only Asia). It does not include Cilicia and this type. Flipping through the plates I see many types over 40 mm and each very rare. Type 191 is unique and a full 50 mm!

I bought mine for its size. There are many types from Tasos in the 35 mm range and I think of them as very big. Any provincial larger that 35-36 mm is very unusual and desirable. Sure I would like mine to be in better condition. However, I think huge provincials in good condition would provoke a lot of competition on the market (perhaps even from some collectors who don't specialize in provincials) and bring high prices.

 

I can only stretch to a poor 30mm.
Not the prettiest but I only wanted an example without the often seen C/M.
Now I need a bigger one ( oops, did I write that out loud )

Ae30, 13.73g. Seleucia ad Calycadnum, Cilicia
SNG Von Aulock 5834, SNG Cop 212
Obverse - MACRINVS
Reverse - infant Zeus seated surrounded by 3 Kuretes ( Korybantes ) banging swords on shields to drown out his crying.

 

A favorite series of large Provincials that keep following me home are from Stratonicaea. They are hard to find high grade but easy to find with interest.
Septimius Severus and Julia Domna AE35 with Hekate and removed countermark:

Caracalla and Plautilla AE38 where the countermark ruined Zeus' head on the opposite side.

Caracalla and the scar where Geta was removed AE34 with Hekate: .