This one here is a conspicuously important piece. While still a subaeratus piece, the Antoniniani of Alexander are very rare (only 2 other specimens known - one in British Museum and another sold in auction in 1928, also a subaeratus cf. to RIC IV-B p. 83 (Cahn 60, 1928, Nr. 2042), both struck with the same dies. This one however was struck using different dies, to actually put to rest the theory that Alexander did not mint Antoniniani and the 2 specs previously known were actually forgeries. SEVERUS ALEXANDER AE21mm 4.35g Antoninianus subaeratus (aVF) AV: IMP C M AVR SEV ALEXAND AVG; draped cuirassed seen from back bust r. REV: MARS VICTOR; Mars hastening r. holding trophy and spear. EXE: - REF: RIC IV-B 157, undated issue, 233-235AD. (photo courtesy of Gorny & Mosch)
interesting coin seth, i wouldn't have recognized it for what it is at all. is that your coin? subaeratus: what's this mean? "below bronze"...so is this a very debased antoninianus?
There was an attempted auction of this coin by Gorny & Mosch (Auction 228, 03/09/15) which proved unsuccessful with an estimate of 1500EUR. I used subaeratus as a variant for fourree, a plated coin, that has a copper/bronze core and a silver plating, usually a contemporary counterfeit.
If we have no antoniniani that are not subaerati, we prove nothing about official issues. If we hold to the conventional wisdom that fourrees are forgeries, it still appears that all known are forgeries. The question is when they were made.
Plus if you notice, the portrait looks to be of Elagablus, same features and his Ants. I know the legend says otherwise but maybe being a fake, means nothing.
Of course, it's more of a circumstantial evidence than definite proof (if you accept it as a contemporary fourree rather than a modern fantasy piece, which I do), unless a silver Antoninianus of Alexander appears we cannot know for sure. The certainty of my tone in the OP was due to the fact that after coming across it I let enthusiasm dictate the tone As for the resemblance to Elagabal, here is a contemporary denarius minted cca. 233AD. If you want to look for similarities with Elagabal as far as portraiture, you can see them here also: Bare in mind also that the fourree Antoninianus in OP is quite a bit worn and patinated, which obscures some of the details on the effigy.
Hello. This Denarius has Liberalitas on reverse holding a cornucopiae and a coin counter. It's either RIC 154 or RIC 153. I can't tell, not even whether it's silver or bronze. It weighs 2.07 g. the coin is too much better at hand.
One wonders why any ancient forger would strike antoniniani for Severus Alexander when there was no "official" precedent for them. In any case, apparently not many were coined. An interesting piece!
Okay, apparently my two Severus Alexander examples are way out in left field!! Pontus, Amasia. Severus Alexander. Æ35 A.D. 222-235 Civic year 228 (A.D. 228/9) Diameter: 35 mm Weight: 26.18 grams Obverse: Laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust of Severus Alexander right, seen from behind Reverse: High altar upon which eagle stands facing, head left; above, Sol in facing quadriga, holding whip; to left of altar, tree Reference: Dalaison 566 (D145/R439); RG 101; cf. SNG Copenhagen 119; BMC 39 (same obv. die); SNG von Aulock 6710 (same obv. die) Other: 12 h … Grayish-green patina under earthen deposits, light roughness CILICIA, Ninica-Claudiopolis Severus Alexander, with Julia Maesa, Æ37 AD 222-235 Diameter: 37 mm Weight: 17.83 grams Obverse: Draped, and cuirassed bust of Severus Alexander right; c/m’s: Nike, holding wreath, standing right within oval incuse (3) and six-pointed star Reverse: Laureate / Draped bust of Julia Maesa right
