There is a sub-series of denarii from the eastern mints of Septimius Severus that is quite enigmatic. The style is not consistent with the COS II series and is more aligned with the IMP II series but until more evidence comes out it is impossible to definitively place them. It isn't even possible to link them all to each other. I chase after every example I can and have a database of every example I have been able to find. The following coin came up for identification on another board about three years ago. I assisted in identifying it and mentioned that I collect these. The owner of the coin has decided to part with it ans so two and a bit years on it now sits in my collection. Septimius Severus denarius Obv:– IMP CA L SE SEV PER AV COS II, Laureate head right Rev:– FORT R-D-DVC, Fortuna, seated left, holding rudder and cornucopia Minted in Emesa, A.D. 194-195 References:– RIC -, RSC -, BMCRE - 2.81g, 18.68mm, 0o I will see if I can publish my findings on these online over the Christmas holidays.
Just for context here are the two other reverses that I own from this obverse die. My search for the other known reverse types (and other unknown reverse types continues). The three above examples are the only examples that I am aware of. The other reverse types are:- BONA SPES (2 examples - BM collection and Roma Auctions 2013) MINER VICTRIC (1 example - Rauch 2013)
Interesting obverse die-linkage. I hope other examples come to light over time and you can write up your findings.
There are 9 short obverse legend dies that I am aware of. I cannot yet prove that they are all linked but am building evidence on quite a few.
Here are the other dies I know of:- IMP CA L SE SEV PER AVG COS II IMP CA L SEP SEV PER AVG COS II IMP CA L SEP SEV PER AVG COS II IMP CA L SEP SEV PER AVG COS II IMP CA L SEP SE_V PER AVG COS II IMP CA L SE SEV PEVR (sic) AVG COS I-I IMP CA L SEP S-EV PER AVG COS - II IMP CA L SE SEV PER AG COS II
It shares an obverse die with the third example down in my post just above and is a very interesting reverse type and one I don't recall having seen before in this series.
There is one similar that I have found, former Barry Murphy coll. no. 284, shown in this thread http://www.forumancientcoins.com/board/index.php?topic=41113.0, but in that example Minerva is turned left.
I am most attracted to the reverse here showing the back side of the shield and arm holding it. I hope someday a fully sharp and clear example from this die will turn up. I'd like to see more clearly what they showed in the way of straps/handles. My Minerva is not part of this short group but shares the back of shield situation.
SEPTIMIUS SEVERUS AR Denarius OBVERSE: IMP CAE L SEP SEV PERT AVG COSII - Laureate head right REVERSE: FELICITAS TEMPOR - Grain ear between crossed cornucopia Struck at Emesa, 194-195 AD 2.3g, 17mm RIC 374a
