Amongst my recent purchases are some eastern denarii of Septimius Severus. Here are my first two (the third is still en-route from Switzerland) and also my reasons for buying them. The first is from "Emesa" from the common COS II series. I tend not to buy many coins from this prolific issue but broke my own rules for this one. The obverse legend break of I-M-P seems to be more unusual than most. It has a Mars type, which I have a soft spot for. It is also an obverse die link with another MART VICTOR in my collection but paired with a different reverse die with different reverse legend spacing. Septimius Severus denarius Obv:– I-M-P CAE L SEP SEV PERT AVG COS II, Laureate head right Rev:– MART VICTOR, Mars advancing right carrying spear and trophy Minted in Emesa. A.D. 194-194 Reference(s) – RIC 406(a) (S). RSC - The second coin comes from the "Laodicea-ad-Mare" IMP II series. Even though I already have a couple of other examples of the type, the coin has the unusual IMP - II obverse legend break and is also an obverse die link with a couple of other coins in my collection. Septimius Severus denarius Obv:– L SEPT SEV P-ERET AVG IMP - II, laureate head right Rev:– M-ONET AVG, Moneta standing left, holding scales and cornucopia Minted in Laodicea-ad-Mare. A.D. 194 Reference(s) – BMCRE -. RIC -. Rev:– INVICTO IMPER, Trophy with arms below Minted in Laodicea-ad-Mare, A.D. 194-5 References:– RIC -. BMCRE-. RSC-. Rev:– INVICTO IMP, Trophy with arms below, dejected captive seated beneath, shield on knees Minted in Laodicea-ad-Mare, A.D. 194-5 References:– RIC -
When it comes to odd spacings, I like the style below (one shows a break over the I of IMP). There are many COSI---I spaced coins but this die places the second I of the COS date closer to the I of IMP that would seem necessary. I wish I had a full legend, clearly struck one. I am fond of the portrait style which is a bit different. The Victory seated coin below seems to have take this theme and run with it placing the last I of COSII and the I of IMP right next to each other. I suppose you can dismiss my Mars Pater as unofficial (I'm not sure) but the placement of the I of IMP up under the bust makes me wonder if the legend was cut backwards making it the last letter cut rather than the first???
Very cool and interesting varieties and odd spacings Martin and Doug!! Like Cyrrhus, all I can offer is this non-spaced example to help clarify what the both of you are referring to. BTW Doug, I LOVE that unusual and lifelike portrait you referred to in photo #one!!!
