So this was one of the coins that are part of the Exercises in Identification coins but I thought it was cool enough to make it's own thread. Severina AE Antoninianus Serdica mint SEVERINA AVG, diademed, draped bust right on crescent CONCORDIA AVGG, Aurelian and Severina clasping hands, star in lower centre, mintmark KA dot Γ dot. On wildwinds it says it is silvered. I'm thinking that maybe on the obverse some of the remnants can be seen? Either way, this is a beautiful coin. I think it is especially cool since in our searching, my son and I couldn't find much information on Severina...unless you count the Croatian pop singer (the only bona fide Croatian celebrity)... As far as we can tell, and according to wikipedia, almost everything known about her (Severina the Empress) is from her coins and inscriptions. If you have any more insight on Severina or coins of hers, please share. We'd love to see them!
I have a dog of a Severina from Roman Egypt from a mixed lot purchased 5 years ago but it is worth keeping for a couple of reasons. 1) Severina may have had sole reign for a while after her hubby Aurelian's death so this coin may have been struck when she was ruling Rome, and 2) I'm a hog when it comes to coins of Roman Egypt . The mixed lot was mostly Ptolemaic bronzes, including my largest. There were three unadvertised tets of Roman Egypt in the lot and this was one of them. EGYPT, Alexandria Severina, 275 AD (?) Potin tetradrachm, 20 mm, 8.5 gm Obv: OVΛΠCEVHPINACEB; draped bust right, hair brushed straight with long plait running along the back of head and tucked under stephane Rev: ETOVC Z; Dikaiosyne standing facing, head left, scales in right hand, cornucopiae in left Ref: Emmett 3964.7 Ex Professor James R. Eaton collection (1834-1897)
Cool coin! I think I see some remnants of Silvering Aurelian is one of favorites. And that after he died Severina took the reigns is simply extraordinary in such a masculine society! Severina Augusta, A.D. 270-275. Æ antoninianus (21.6 mm, 3.5 g, 5 h). Ticinum mint, A.D. 274-275. SEVERINA AVG, draped bust right, wearing stephane, set on crescent / CONCORDIAE MILITVM, Concordia standing, holding standard in each hand; IVXXT in exergue. RIC 13.
I think you will be surprised how much coins have contributed to what we know about the Romans. Severina is a prime example. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ulpia_Severina Alexandria tetradrachm year 7 Antoninianus with a small spot of silver remaining on obverse before face Usually called asses, I'm not really sure what denomination was intended by the small bronzes of Aurelian and Severina.
Nice addition Severina (274 - 275 A.D.) Egypt, Alexandria Potin Tetradrachm O: OYΛΠ CEYHΡINA CEB, draped bust right wearing stephane. R: ETOVC S, eagle standing right, wreath in its beak. Year 6=274/5 AD 21mm 7g Dattari 5506, Geissen 3103, Emmett 3966 Severina (274 - 275 A.D.) Æ(S) Antoninianus O: SEVERINA AVG, Diademed and draped bust right on a crescent. R: PROVIDEN DEOR, Fides standing right holding two standards, facing Sol standing left holding globe in left and raising right, UXXT in ex. Ticinum mint 22mm 3.5g RIC 9 This coin may have been issued in connection with the introduction of the Sun Cult by Aurelian as the primary religion of the empire and Severina's appointment as its priestess. Severina (274 - 275 A.D.) Egypt, Alexandria Potin Tetradrachm O: OVLP CEVHPINA CEB, diademed and draped bust right. R: Eagle standing right, palm across shoulder, holding wreath in beak; ETOVC (around) and S in right field. Year 6 = 275-276 AD 8.58g 20mm Köln 3102; Dattari 5504; Milne 4453; Emmett 3965.6
Nice one, @furryfrog02 ! Severina's hairstyle and portraiture is very much mint-dependent. The portrait style is quite pleasing on your coin. You'll note your coin depicts her with straight hair collected in a large plait in the back. On coins from other mints, she may be depicted with short, straight hair and without a plait. We've often joked that her portraits look like Aurelian in drag. Here's one from Siscia, for example: Antonininanus, RIC 13. On other issues from Serdica, her hair is wavy and plaited in the back, similar to her predecessors, Otacilia Severa, Herennia Etruscilla, and Cornelia Salonina. Here's an example: Antoninianus, RIC 16. The only other issue with this wavy style are those from the 7th and final emission of Antioch: Antoninianus, RIC 19.
