i bought this coin a few years back. Septimius Severus, denarius, Ancient imitation Obv:– L SEPT SEV PERT AVG IMP II, laureate head right Rev:– AEQVIT AVG TR P COS II, Aequitas standing left, holding scales and cornucopia I will freely admit that I bought this coin hoping that it would be a scarce Laodicea type combined with a hybrid reverse of Pertinax. Having discussed the coin with Curtis Clay he is of the opinion that :- "I think I would consider the coin to be an ancient imitation. The style is not right for the IMP II series. That exact rev. type of Pertinax is known on authentic Alexandrian denarii of SS, but there with the obv. legend is that of 193 (probably the coin BMC and RIC refer to as hybrid), and again the coin is in different style." Now some years later I have stumbled across this example from the same obverse die. Obv:– L SEPT SEV PERT AVG IMP II, laureate head right Rev:– LIBERAL AVG COS, Liberalitas, standing left, holding abacus and cornucopia This coin copies a reverse type from Rome from A.D. 193 This is the second time that I have found die linked barbs from this period. Obv:– IMP CAE L SEPT ERT AVT COS II, Laureate head right Rev:– VICTOR SEV-E-R AVG, Victory walking left, holding wreath in right hand, palm in left and Obv:– IMP CAE L SEPT ERT AVT COS II, Laureate head right Rev:– IOVL SER ?? AVG, Jupiter?, seated left
Good to get that confirmation (with the evidence of a Rome reverse) that it is indeed unofficial. Seeing this example, I become more doubtful that we can always distinguish meaningfully between official and unofficial Sep Sev in the east. No doubt there are unofficial issues where the style and type are close enough that we can't tell.
Since it was mentioned, it should be shown. I see this as a perfectly regular Alexandria issue. I agree. The entire matter of the Eastern coins needs to be reviewed without assuming the traditional wisdom of the RIC period.
Interesting coins and research, maridvnvm. Here is an odd Julia Domna imitation that is known from other examples; it has a muled reverse of Caracalla: Julia Domna Æ (?) Denarius (c. 196-211 A.D.) Unknown / Unofficial Mint IVLIA D AVGVSTA draped bust right / FIDES PVBLICA, Fides standing right, holding corn-ears and basket of fruit. RIC IV -; BMCRE -; RSC III - (Unofficial issue; see notes) (2.46 grams / 16 mm) "This coin combines the obverse of a Julia Domna denarius with reverse of a Caracalla denarius. The style is not official. It is an ancient counterfeit. The core is probably base metal." http://www.forumancientcoins.com/catalog/roman-and-greek-coins.asp?zpg=8921 Note: Per OCRE, there are eight FIDES PVBLICA types for Caracalla: RIC 8, 19, 24Aa, 24Ab, 24a, 24b, 330A and 334. Here's another one: a Julia Domna with an implausible reverse - my attribution notes come Roman Collector from my original post (thanks again, RC!). Julia Domna Æ (?) Denarius (c. 196-211 A.D.) Unknown Mint IVLIA AVGVSTA bust right / IMP[ERII FELI]CITAS, standing female facing, head right, holding grain or thunderbolt (?) in left hand, column or altar to right (?) Unattributed "Limes" or barbaric imitation. (3.36 grams / 18 mm) "...reverse type is IMPERII FELICITAS. It clearly begins IMPER and ends in CITAS. However, the goddess here clearly holds a branch, whereas Felicitas holds a caduceus on the only Severan issue with this reverse type, a denarius of Caracalla, RIC 9 (Rome), RIC 331 (Eastern mint). That type depicts Felicitas standing left, holding caduceus in right hand and child on left arm." (RC, Coin Talk) https://www.cointalk.com/threads/julia-domna-a-very-ugly-denarius-id-help-please.331780/