Another piece of the Stobi puzzle

[Arminius]

Another one, like CaraStobe64.JPG :

Æ 22 (21-22 mm / 4,86 g),
Obv.: M AVREL - ANTONINV , .
Rev.: MVNI - STOB , Nike (Nike/Tyche) standing, face left, before holding a long palm branch set on ground with her right hand and cornucopia with her left arm.
Gaebler ( AMNG III, 2 ) 15, plate XXII/3 ; Josifovski Addition 5 ; same dies as whitetd49 - CaraStobe64.JPG .

A.

[whitetd49]

Thanks for posting this.  It confirms that the legends and dies match the AMNG specimen.  Josifovski's Additions are not illustrated nor are the legends listed.

[whitetd49]

The remarkable coincidences continue.  The last two Julia Domna specimens that I have received are unlisted die pairs with the same obverse die.  Otherwise, the obverse is known from a single specimen, Josifovski 164 (Vienna KHM 9880).  That reverse legend is also MVNI STOB, Nike advancing left (R21).

[arizonarobin]

Wow, that is a new reverse type, not just reverse die.  I assume that is an AE 23-24?  The closest known type is a large module (AE 27) for Septimius:  Z. Nike standing, radiate head left, holding snake-entwined torch left and   
      cornucopia right.
   i. Septimius Severus, L (R27)

I just got around to starting to add weights and measurements to all my coins- this one is actually 28mm and 10.46g

I will be adding the rest of the stobi stash this week 

[whitetd49]

Robin, can you distinguish the entire reverse legend?  I think I see [MVN?] ST/OB?SIVM.  This appears to be a remarkably well rendered depiction for these early large module issues.

[arizonarobin]

I have played with the lettering and trying to figure it out but nothing seems to make sense.
I'm starting to think its an early advertisement for Stobes.com, someone could tell the future!

[arizonarobin]

PS I added seven more Stobi to my gallery 

[whitetd49]

I have played with the lettering and trying to figure it out but nothing seems to make sense.
I'm starting to think its an early advertisement for Stobes.com, someone could tell the future!

At first I thought you had a blundered legend, now with the new photos I'm pretty sure that your reverse is double struck.  The second and best strike was rotated about 45 degrees relative to the first.

[arizonarobin]

Thank you Tom, that makes more sense. 

[whitetd49]

Relevent dates:

193   Septimius named AVGVSTVS, PERT 195 - 198
196   Caracalla named CAESAR and MARCVS AVRELIVS
196   Domna named IVLIA AVGVSTA
198   Caracalla named AVGVSTVS
198   Geta named CAESAR and P SEPTI GETA, PONT 199 - 209
202   Caracalla marries Plautilla
205   Caracalla banishes Plautilla
209   Geta named AVGVSTVS, first bearded portraits
211   Septimius, Geta, Plautilla dead (Feb.)
211   Domna named PIA
214   Caracalla reforms Imperial monetary system, introduction of Antoninianus
217   Caracalla dead (Apr.)

It appears that production at Stobi was sporatic, not continuous during the Severan period.  Critical observations;
PERT never included in legends of Septimius, no production before 198 AD
Caracalla never as Caesar, no production before 198
Geta as Caesar with legends including PONT, production possible 199 onwards
Geta always named P SEPTI GETA, production 199 onwards
Plautilla never portrayed at Stobi, 202 - 205 no production?
Geta as Augustus rare, the few portraits are never bearded, no production 210 - 211?
Large module tetrassaria discontinued after deaths of Septimius and Geta
Middle module diassaria introduced after banishment of Plautilla, continued to at least after 211, Domna as PIA

This chronology should be regarded as tentative, comments are welcome!

A mature but beardless portrait of Geta, ~209-210?

Had to follow up this chronology with a new specimen.  It shows a very young Geta with the legend SEPT GETA CAES PONT.  The reverse legend has the unusual unabbreviated ethnic,
MVNICIPIV/M STOBENSIVM.  Altogether, this appears to be one of the earliest Severan issues and is probably dated to 199 - 200 AD.

[slokind]

That surely is as charming as Stobi ever is.  Stobi has interesting and estimable coinage, but they don't usually run to cute baby pictures.  Pat L.

[whitetd49]

Another new specimen with a good protrait, unlisted dies.  This one of the very few Domna large module (AE28) obverse dies that is known with multiple reverse dies.  I add a poorer specimen, same obverse die....

[whitetd49]

A new specimen and though seemingly unassuming, it is the type of discovery that I dream about.  The obverse is V74 but the reverse die, R123, links it to an 'orphan' obverse die, V79.  This in turn links a Julia Domna obverse (V55, no picture) to the group.

V74, R123 - unlisted die pair
V79, JD R59 - unlisted die pair

[whitetd49]

The two other obverse dies in this emission:

V10, R107, Josif 397
V86, R?

[whitetd49]

Another orphan die that perhaps belongs to this group:

V83, R?

[whitetd49]

This obverse die is V6, bust laureate, cuirassed, right, seen from behind.  This obverse type is almost constantly paired with this reverse type, Nike-Nemesis advancing left, wheel at her feet.  Here is yet another unlisted reverse die, nearly identical to at least 12-14 others.  These issues, late in Caracalla's reign, must be associated with his preparations to invade the East and become the reincarnation of Alexander.  It is interesting that in this period of peak production at Stobi there was relatively little variation in reverse types.

[whitetd49]

Yet another V74 obverse and new reverse die.  This seems to be the 12th die pair is this emission.

[whitetd49]

Thought I would resurrect this thread with some new info.  These near identical reverses confirm that this J Domna specimen (V101, R109) belongs to one of the last emissions at Stobi.  The obverse die with Caracalla is V8.

[Arminius]

Hello,

i finally spent some time to make some pics of - not new - but rather fresh material :

Stobi in Macedonia, Marcus Aurelius, 161-180 AD.,
Æ25 (25-26 mm / 13,77 g),
Obv.: [IM - M ?] AV - ANTONINV-S , radiate head of Marcus Aurelius right.
Rev.: S-TOBEN - SIVM. Nike advancing left, pointing to left down (baton with wreath / winged caduceus?) and holding palm behind, wheel at her feet left.
Gaebler (AMNG III) - ; Josifovski ? ; online databases - .

Maybe someone can add the missing obverse letters and comment on the attribute Nike is pointing downwards to left.

Regards

[whitetd49]

Werner, your coin is Josif 104 (V33, R32), citing a specimen in Paris, 1989/193.
IM M AV ANTONINVS
Bust radiate, right
S/TOBEN/SIVM
Nike-Nemesis advancing left, holding palm and rod, wheel at her feet
Another citation for the type is Dull, 387, No. 220 from Die Gotterkult Nordmakedoniens in romishcher Zeit, Munchen, 1977.

Thanks for posting.  I have never seen one of these before!

[Arminius]

Thanks Tom,

but there is more than just a simple rod in Nike´s right hand.
Looks like a wreath round the rod.

[whitetd49]

Thanks Tom,

but there is more than just a simple rod in Nike´s right hand.
Looks like a wreath round the rod.

Yes, I agree.  The illustrated specimen in Josifovski is not as good as yours but does show "something" around the rod.  I expect Josifovki chose "rod" as it is a normal attribute of Nemesis.  It has also been described as a club or wand but these interpretations are not very satisfying.  I will see if other examples of this reverse type from different dies exist.   

[Arminius]

For a similar coin (different dies) see in Rusty Roman´s gallery:
https://www.forumancientcoins.com/gallery/albums/userpics/10155/129-%20Marcus%20Aurelius-%20Stobi.JPG
 - also with wreath(?)

I know our mind easily creates faces from nothing but dots and lines.

But - is there a male (bearded) head facing right on the reverse between the EN of STOBEN and Nike´s upper arm ??

(to increase the size of the image: right click on the image)

[Bacchus]

I think that is just the tip of the other wing (but I see what you mean).

Malcolm

[Arminius]

Thanks Malcolm, you are right.