| Roman Provincial Coins from Dacia and Moesia |  |
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| Caracalla and Geta, 209 - c. 26 December 211 A.D., Marcianopolis, Moesia Inferior |   | The brothers, Caracalla and Geta, pledged to their dying father, Septimius Severus, they would rule together. But each had a rival faction and vied for supremacy. Pretending reconciliation, Caracalla scheduled a meeting at their mother's house where instead Geta was murdered, dying in his mother's arms.
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| RP72141. Bronze pentassarion, H-J Marcianopolis 6.20.38.3 corr. (same dies, H-J assumes full ethnic off flan, R4), Varbanov I 1086 var (full ethnic, R3); AMNG I/I 652 var (same), nice F, weight 10.733 g, maximum diameter 26.2 mm, die axis 180o, Markianopolis (Devnya, Bulgaria) mint, consular legate Flavius Ulpianus, 210 - 211 A.D.; obverse AY K M AY ANTΩNINOC AY K CEΠ, ΓETAC (ending below busts), laureate and draped confronted busts of Caracalla and Geta; reverse Y ΦΛ OYΛΠIANOY MAPKIANOΠOΛIT, Tyche standing left, rudder in right hand, cornucopia in left, E (mark of value) in field left; ex Henrik Angdal collection; $135.00 (€117.45) |
| Gordian III, 29 July 238 - 25 February 244 A.D., Odessos, Moesia Inferior |  | The ancients did not all agree on the attributes of Serapis. A passage in Tacitus affirms that many recognized in this god, Aesculapius, imputing healing to his intervention; some thought him identical with Osiris, the oldest deity of the Egyptians; others regarded him as Jupiter, possessing universal power; but by most he was believed to be the same as Pluto, the "gloomy" Dis Pater of the infernal regions. The general impression of the ancients seems to have been that by Serapis, was to be understood the beginning and foundation of things. Julian II consulted the oracle of Apollo for the purpose of learning whether Pluto and Serapis were different gods; and he received for an answer that Jupiter-Serapis and Pluto were one and the same divinity.
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| RP65145. Bronze pentassarion, Varbanov I 4467, AMNG I/II 2342, VF, nice green patina, weight 11.419 g, maximum diameter 27.5 mm, die axis 180o, Odessos (Varna, Bulgaria) mint, obverse AYT K M, ANTΩNIOC ΓOP∆IANOC, laureate and draped bust of Gordian III right (on left), confronting draped bust of Serapis left with kalathos on head; reverse O∆HCCEITΩN, Athena standing left, helmeted, pouring libations from phaile in right, spear vertical behind in left, grounded shield at her side resting against her right leg, E upper left; $125.00 (€108.75) |
| Septimius Severus, 9 April 193 - 4 February 211 A.D., Nicopolis ad Istrum, Moesia Inferior |  | Nicopolis ad Istrum was founded by Trajan around 101-106, at the junction of the Iatrus (Yantra) and the Rositsa rivers, in memory of his victory over the Dacians. Its ruins are located at the village of Nikyup, 20 km north of Veliko Tarnovo in northern Bulgaria. The town peaked during the reigns of Trajan, Hadrian, the Antonines and the Severan dynasty. In 447, Nicopolis was destroyed by Attila's Huns. In the 6th century, it was rebuilt as a powerful fortress enclosing little more than military buildings and churches, following a very common trend for the cities of that century in the Danube area. It was finally destroyed by the Avar invasions at the end of the 6th century. |
| RP70820. Bronze assarion, H-H-J Nikopolis 8.14.33.3 (R3), Moushmov 922, AMNG I/I 1409, BMC Thrace -, Varbanov I -, SNG Cop -, gVF, well stuck with nice dies, excellent centering, green patina, some marks, weight 3.242 g, maximum diameter 18.4 mm, die axis 0o, Nicopolis ad Istrum (Nikyup, Bulgaria) mint, obverse AV KAI CEVHPOC, laureate head right; reverse NIKOΠOΛITΩN, ΠPOC IC/TPON, she-wolf left, suckling Romulus and Remus; ex Heritage Auctions 231407, lot 64090; ex Ancient Auction House; rare with wolf left; $120.00 (€104.40) |
| Gordian III, 29 July 238 - 25 February 244 A.D., Nicopolis ad Istrum, Moesia Inferior |  | Nicopolis ad Istrum can be said to have been the birthplace of Germanic literary tradition. The Gothic bishop, missionary and translator Ulfilas (Wulfila) obtained permission from Constantius II to immigrate with his flock of converts to Moesia and settle near Nicopolis ad Istrum in 347. There, he invented the Gothic alphabet and translated the Bible from Greek to Gothic. |
| RP34260. Bronze AE 27, H-H-J Nikopolis 8.36.46.6 (R4), Varbanov I 4227, BMC Thrace -, SNG Cop -, gVF, nice green patina, weight 11.818 g, maximum diameter 26.9 mm, die axis 195o, Nicopolis ad Istrum (Nikyup, Bulgaria) mint, consular legate Sabinius Modestus, 241 - 244 A.D.; obverse AYT K M ANTΩNIOC ΓOP∆IANOC, radiate, draped and cuirassed bust right, from behind; reverse YΠ CAB MO∆ECTOY NIKOΠOΛEITΩN ΠPOC ICTPON, tetrastyle temple containing statue of Herakles(?) resting on club(?) in right, pellet on pediment; bargin priced!; $110.00 (€95.70) |
| Caracalla, 28 January 198 - 8 April 217 A.D., Marcianopolis, Moesia Inferior |  | The ancients did not agree on the attributes of Serapis. A passage in Tacitus affirms that many recognized in this god, Aesculapius, imputing healing to his intervention; some thought him identical with Osiris, the oldest deity of the Egyptians; others regarded him as Jupiter, possessing universal power; but by most he was believed to be the same as Pluto, the "gloomy" Dis Pater of the infernal regions. On this coin, Pluto's influence is evident with the fearsome Kerberos at Serapis' feet.
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| RP54128. Bronze AE 27, H-J Marcianopolis 6.18.6.5 (R3), Varbanov I 977 (R3), AMNG I/I 636, Moushmov 454, VF, well centered, nice green patina, weight 13.050 g, maximum diameter 26.5 mm, die axis 180o, Markianopolis (Devnya, Bulgaria) mint, consular legate Quintilianus, 215 A.D.; obverse ΠIOC AYΓ AN−TΩNINOC, laureate head right; reverse YΠ KYNTIΛIANOY MAPKIANOΠOΛIT,ΩN (last two letters in right field), Hades-Serapis enthroned left, holding right hand over Kerberos, long scepter vertical behind in left; $100.00 (€87.00) |
| Elagabalus, 16 May 218 - 11 March 222 A.D., Marcianopolis, Moesia Inferior |  | Renamed by Trajan after his sister, Ulpia Marciana, Marcianopolis was an important strategic center for centuries. The city was repeatedly destroyed by barbarian raids (Goths, Huns, Avars and others) but also was repeatedly rebuilt and prospered. During Valens' conflict with the Goths, Marcianopolis was a temporary capital of the empire and the largest city in Thrace. An Avar raid destroyed the city in 614 or 615.
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| RP90780. Bronze AE 17, H-J Marcianopolis 6.26. 53. 1 (same dies, R3), Varbanov I 1413 (R3), AMNG I/I 914 var (obv. legend), Moushmov 639, SNG Cop -, BMC Thrace -, gVF, nice green patina, fantastic lion, weight 2.231 g, maximum diameter 17.1 mm, die axis 0o, Marcianopolis (Devnya, Bulgaria) mint, obverse AYT K M AYP − ANTΩNINOC, laureate, draped and cuirassed bust right, from behind; reverse MAPKIANOΠOΛITΩN (TΩN in exergue, ΩN ligate), Male lion walking right; ex Rutten & Wieland Classical Numismatics; $100.00 (€87.00) |
| Elagabalus, 16 May 218 - 11 March 222 A.D., Marcianopolis, Moesia Inferior |  | Homonoia was the goddess (or spirit or personification) of harmony, concord, unanimity, and oneness of mind. She is usually depicted either seated or standing with a cornucopia.
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| RP54113. Bronze AE 26, H-J Marcianopolis 6.26.36 var; AMNG I/I 856 var; Varbanov 1526 var; SNG Cop 231 var; BMC Thrace p. 34, 47 var (all var. obv legend), aVF, weight 10.213 g, maximum diameter 28.0 mm, die axis 0o, Markianopolis (Devnya, Bulgaria) mint, consular legate Julius Antonius Seleucus, 218-222; obverse AVT K M AVP ANTΩNEINOC, laureate bust right, from behind; reverse VΠ IOYΛ ANT CEΛEYKOY MARKIANOPOLITΩN, Homonoia standing left, patera in right, cornucopia in left; unpublished variant; $95.00 (€82.65) |
| Septimius Severus, 9 April 193 - 4 February 211 A.D., Marcianopolis, Moesia Inferior |  | Renamed by Trajan after his sister, Ulpia Marciana, Marcianopolis was an important strategic center for centuries. The city was repeatedly destroyed by barbarian raids (Goths, Huns, Avars and others) but also was repeatedly rebuilt and prospered. During Valens' conflict with the Goths, Marcianopolis was a temporary capital of the empire and the largest city in Thrace. An Avar raid destroyed the city in 614 or 615. |
| RP65169. Bronze AE 22, SNG Budapest 81 (same dies); AMNG I/I obv: 587/ rev: 590; Varbanov I 735a var (AE20, CEΠ); BMC Thrace p. 28, 7 var (CE); H-J Marcianopolis -, Choice gVF, weight 6.062 g, maximum diameter 22.3 mm, die axis 225o, Markianopolis (Devnya, Bulgaria) mint, 193 - 211 A.D.; obverse AY Λ CEΠTI CEYHPOC, laureate, draped and cuirassed bust right, from behind; reverse MAPKIANOΠOΛITΩN, Homonoia standing left, kalathos on head, patera in right, cornucopia in left; rare; $95.00 (€82.65) |
| Gordian III, 29 July 238 - 25 February 244 A.D., Tomis, Moesia Inferior |  | The Roman poet Ovid was banished by Augustus to Tomis in 8 A.D. and died there eight years later. By his account, Tomis was "a town located in a war-stricken cultural wasteland on the remotest margins of the empire." |
| RP48205. Bronze AE 27, Varbanov 5567, AMNG I/II 3402, SNG Stancomb -, VF, cleaning scratches, weight 13.328 g, maximum diameter 26.8 mm, die axis 30o, Tomis (Constanta, Romania) mint, obverse AYT K M ANT ΓOP∆IANOC AYΓ, laureate, draped and cuirassed bust right, from front; reverse MHTPO ΠONTOY TOMEΩC (final C in right field), Demeter standing left, grain and poppy in right, long torch vertical in left, ∆ left; $90.00 (€78.30) |
| Septimius Severus, 9 April 193 - 4 February 211 A.D., Marcianopolis, Moesia Inferior |  | The first of Herakles' twelve labors, set by King Eurystheus (his cousin), was to slay the Nemean lion and bring back its skin. It could not be killed with mortal weapons because its golden fur was impervious to attack. Its claws were sharper than swords and could cut through any armor. Herakles stunned the beast with his club and, using his immense strength, strangled it to death. During the fight the lion bit off one of his fingers. After slaying the lion, he tried to skin it with a knife from his belt, but failed. Wise Athena, noticing the hero's plight, told him to use one of the lion's own claws to skin the pelt. |
| RP56080. Bronze AE 21, H-J Marcianopolis 6.14.14.3 (R2), Varbanov I 733 var (obv legend, R4), AMNG I/I 585 var (same), VF, nice green patina, weight 3.415 g, maximum diameter 20.0 mm, die axis 180o, Markianopolis (Devnya, Bulgaria) mint, obverse AV Λ CEΠT CEVHPOC, laureate, draped and cuirassed bust right, from behind; reverse MAPKIANOΠOΛITΩN, Herakles strangling the Nemean lion; $85.00 (€73.95) |
| Commodus, March or April 177 - 31 December 192 A.D., Marcianopolis, Moesia Inferior |  | Renamed by Trajan after his sister, Ulpia Marciana, Marcianopolis was an important strategic center for centuries. The city was repeatedly destroyed by barbarian raids (Goths, Huns, Avars and others) but also was repeatedly rebuilt and prospered. During Valens' conflict with the Goths, Marcianopolis was a temporary capital of the empire and the largest city in Thrace. An Avar raid destroyed the city in 614 or 615. |
| RP68278. Bronze AE 21, H-J Marcianopolis 6.10.38.1 (R2), Varbanov I 709 (R3), AMNG I/I 541, SNG Cop -, F, well centered, scratches, weight 5.672 g, maximum diameter 21.5 mm, die axis 225o, Markianopolis (Devnya, Bulgaria) mint, 177 - 192 A.D.; obverse AY K Λ • AYΠ KOMO∆OC, laureate, draped and cuirassed bust right, from behind; reverse MAPKIANOΠOΛEITΩN, Tyche standing facing, head left, wearing a turreted crown (or kalathos), rudder by tiller in right, cornucopia in left; $80.00 (€69.60) |
| Gordian III, 29 July 238 - 25 February 244 A.D., Marcianopolis, Moesia Inferior |  | Renamed by Trajan after his sister, Ulpia Marciana, Marcianopolis was an important strategic center for centuries. The city was repeatedly destroyed by barbarian raids (Goths, Huns, Avars and others) but also was repeatedly rebuilt and prospered. During Valens' conflict with the Goths, Marcianopolis was a temporary capital of the empire and the largest city in Thrace. An Avar raid destroyed the city in 614 or 615.
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| RP70504. Bronze pentassarion, H-J Marcianopolis 6.37.5.- var (R6, obv legend, reverse legend arrangement), Varbanov I 1976 ff. var (R3, same); SNG Cop -, BMC Thrace -, VF, scratches, weight 11.799 g, maximum diameter 28.5 mm, die axis 0o, Markianopolis (Devnya, Bulgaria) mint, consular legate Tullius Menophilus; obverse M ANTΩNIOX ΓOP∆IANOC AY, confronted busts; Gordian on left, laureate, draped, and cuirassed from behind; Serapis on right, draped, kalathos on head; AYT K M below; reverse YΠ MHNOΦIΛOY MAPKIANOΠOΛ,I/T/Ω/N (last four letters in right field), Demeter standing facing, wearing kalathos, grain in right, long torch vertical behind in left, E in left; an unpublished variation of a scarce type; $80.00 (€69.60) |
| Elagabalus, 16 May 218 - 11 March 222 A.D., Nikopolis ad Istrum, Moesia Inferior |  | Nicopolis ad Istrum was founded by Trajan around 101-106, at the junction of the Iatrus (Yantra) and the Rositsa rivers, in memory of his victory over the Dacians. Its ruins are located at the village of Nikyup, 20 km north of Veliko Tarnovo in northern Bulgaria. The town peaked during the reigns of Trajan, Hadrian, the Antonines and the Severan dynasty. In 447, Nicopolis was destroyed by Attila's Huns. In the 6th century, it was rebuilt as a powerful fortress enclosing little more than military buildings and churches, following a very common trend for the cities of that century in the Danube area. It was finally destroyed by the Avar invasions at the end of the 6th century. |
| RP39114. Bronze assarion, H-H-J Nikopolis 8.26.47.6 (R3), Varbanov I 3859, AMNG I/I 2028 var (laureate head right), SNG Cop -, BMC Thrace -, VF, nice patina, weight 2.121 g, maximum diameter 18.5 mm, die axis 180o, Nicopolis ad Istrum (Nikyup, Bulgaria) mint, obverse AVT K M ANTΩNINOC, laureate, draped and cuirassed bust right; reverse NIKOΠOΛITΩN ΠPOC ICTPON, Nike standing right, and Elagabalus standing left holding spear, they erect a trophy of captured arms with two bound captives at the base; scarce; $60.00 (€52.20) |
| Septimius Severus, 9 April 193 - 4 February 211 A.D., Nikopolis ad Istrum, Moesia Inferior |  | The first of Herakles' twelve labors, set by King Eurystheus (his cousin), was to slay the Nemean lion and bring back its skin. It could not be killed with mortal weapons because its golden fur was impervious to attack. Its claws were sharper than swords and could cut through any armor. Herakles stunned the beast with his club and, using his immense strength, strangled it to death. During the fight the lion bit off one of his fingers. After slaying the lion, he tried to skin it with a knife from his belt, but failed. Wise Athena, noticing the hero's plight, told him to use one of the lion's own claws to skin the pelt. |
| RP67903. Bronze assarion, H-H-J Nikopolis 8.14.14.25, AMNG I/I 1389, Varbanov I 2347, Moushmov 1010, BMC Thrace -, SNG Cop -, aVF, weight 3.725 g, maximum diameter 16.6 mm, die axis 225o, Nicopolis ad Istrum (Nikyup, Bulgaria) mint, obverse AV K Λ C CEVHPOC, laureate bust right; reverse NIKOΠOΛI ΠPOC I, Herakles standing left, strangling the Nemean lion; $60.00 (€52.20) |
| Caracalla, 28 January 198 - 8 April 217 A.D., Nikopolis ad Istrum, Moesia Inferior |  | Nicopolis ad Istrum was founded by Trajan around 101 - 106, at the junction of the Iatrus (Yantra) and the Rositsa rivers, in memory of his victory over the Dacians. Its ruins are located at the village of Nikyup, 20 km north of Veliko Tarnovo in northern Bulgaria. The town reached its peak during the reigns of Trajan, Hadrian, the Antonines and the Severan dynasty. Minted under the consular legate (governor) Aurelius Gallus. |
| RP68415. Bronze assarion, Varbanov 2986 (R5, same dies), H-H-J Nikopolis 8.18.27.1 (R5), AMNG I/I 1492, BMC Thrace -, SNG Cop -, VF, nice green patina, weight 2.988 g, maximum diameter 15.7 mm, die axis 225o, Nicopolis ad Istrum (Nikyup, Bulgaria) mint, as caesar, 195 - 198 A.D.; obverse M AY KA ANTΩNIN−OC, bare head right; reverse NIKOΠOΛITΩN ΠPOC I, radiate head of Sol right, whip over shoulder; scarce; $60.00 (€52.20) |
| Gordian III and Tranquillina, May 241 - 25 February 244 A.D., Marcianopolis, Moesia Inferior |  | Nemesis, the winged balancer of life, is the goddess of revenge, the avenger of crimes and punisher of wicked doers. She distributes fortune, good or bad, in due proportion to each according to what is deserved. The wheel of fate rests against her side and she holds scales to measure each man's just deserts. The cornucopia seems to indicate that Nemesis favors Marcianopolis and brings prosperity.
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| RP71792. Bronze pentassarion, H-J Marcianopolis 6.38.35.5 (same dies, R5), Varbanov I 2051 (R3), AMNG I/I 1185, Moushmov 834, F, well centered, flan crack, weight 13.129 g, maximum diameter 28.1 mm, die axis 45o, Markianopolis (Devnya, Bulgaria) mint, cos. legate Tertullianus, May 241 - 25 Feb 244; obverse AYT K M ANT ΓOP∆IANOC AYΓ CEB, TPANKIΛ/ΛEINA (ending in two lines below the busts), laureate, draped and cuirassed bust of Gordian right confronting diademed and draped bust of Tranquillina left; reverse YΠ TEPTYΛΛIANOY MAPKIANOΠOΛI,T/Ω/N (final three letters in right field), Homonoia standing left, holding patera in right, cornucopia in left, E (mark of value) in left field; $55.00 (€47.85) |
| Gordian III, 29 July 238 - 25 February 244 A.D., Viminacium, Moesia Superior |  | Viminacium was a Roman Colony founded by Gordian III in 239 A.D. The usual legend is P.M.S. COL. VIM., abbreviating Provinciae Moesiae Superioris Colonia Viminacium. The usual type is a female personification of Moesia standing between a lion and a bull. The bull and the lion were symbols of the Legions VII and IV, which were quartered in the province.
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| SH71793. Bronze provincial sestertius, H-J Viminacium 12 (R2); AMNG I/I 83; BMC Thrace p. 16, 12; SNG Cop 144; Varbanov I -, F, green patina, marks, weight 15.528 g, maximum diameter 30.4 mm, die axis 45o, Viminacium (near Stari Kostolac, Serbia) mint, 242 - 243 A.D.; obverse IMP GORDIANVS PIVS FEL AVG, laureate, draped and cuirassed bust right, from behind; reverse P M S COL VIM, Moesia standing facing, head left, extending hands over bull on left standing right and lion on right standing left, AN IIII (year 4 of the Viminacium colonial era) in ex; ; $45.00 (€39.15) |
| Elagabalus, 16 May 218 - 11 March 222 A.D., Marcianopolis, Moesia Inferior |  | The consular legate's name is misspelled; it should be XEΛEYKOY (Seleukus). H-J Marcianopolis lists this reverse type with obverse legends including AYPH, AYPHΛI and AYPHΛIOC, but not the abbreviation AYP; however, see 6.26.36.12 for this obverse die, with a Homonoia seated reverse from the same magistrate.
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| RP63338. Bronze AE 27, AMNG I/I 856 var (rev legend); H-J Marcianopolis 6.26.36.8 var (same and obv leg); Varbanov I 1572 var (same); BMC Thrace p. 34, 47 var (same), F, nice green patina, weight 8.960 g, maximum diameter 26.7 mm, die axis 0o, Markianopolis (Devnya, Bulgaria) mint, cos. legate Julius Antonius Seleukus, 218 - 222; obverse AYT K M AYP ANTΩNEINOC, laureate head right; reverse YΠ IOYΛ ANT CEΠE−YKOY MAPKIANOΠOΛITΩN (OU ligate, sic, should be CEΛE...), Homonoia standing half left, wearing kalathos, patera in right, cornucopia in left; from the old stock of a retiring Ohio dealer acquired by Forum in 2012; $40.00 (€34.80) |
| Diadumenian, Mid May - 8 June 218 A.D., Marcianopolis, Moesia Inferior |  | Nemesis, the balancer of life, is the goddess of revenge, the avenger of crimes and punisher of wicked doers. She distributes fortune, good or bad, in due proportion to each according to what is deserved. The wheel of fate, which Nemesis controls, rests against her side. The cornucopia appears to indicate that Nemesis has favored Marcianopolis and delivered prosperity.
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| RP69736. Bronze AE 20, H-J Marcianopolis 6.25.35.1 (R6), Varbanov 1332 (R4) , AMNG I/I 793, Moushmov 599, F, nice style, green patina, reverse rough, weight 4.472 g, maximum diameter 20.5 mm, die axis 180o, Markianopolis (Devnya, Bulgaria) mint, as caesar, 217 - 218 A.D.; obverse M OΠEΛΛIOC ANTΩNEINOC K, bare-headed bust right; reverse MAPKIANOΠOΛEITΩN, Nemesis (Dikaiosyne) standing left, scales in right hand, cornucopia in left; wheel against her right side, at feet on left; from the Butte College Foundation; ex Lindgren; rare; $38.00 (€33.06) |
| Severus Alexander, 13 March 222 - March 235 A.D., Marcianopolis, Moesia Inferior |  | Renamed by Trajan after his sister, Ulpia Marciana, Marcianopolis was an important strategic center for centuries. The city was repeatedly destroyed by barbarian raids (Goths, Huns, Avars and others) but also was repeatedly rebuilt and prospered. During Valens' conflict with the Goths, Marcianopolis was a temporary capital of the empire and the largest city in Thrace. An Avar raid destroyed the city in 614 or 615.
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| RP63349. Bronze AE 25, Varbanov I 1696 (R3), H-J Marcianopolis 6.32.36.2 corr. (obv leg, R2), AMNG I/I 1035 var (AP also ligate), SNG Cop -, BMC Thrace -, VF, green patina, earthen encrustation, weight 8.748 g, maximum diameter 25.4 mm, die axis 0o, Markianopolis (Devnya, Bulgaria) mint, consular legate Umbrius Terebentinus, 225 - 229; obverse AYT K M AYP CEYH AΛEZAN∆POC, laureate, draped and cuirassed bust right, from behind; reverse HΓ OYM TEPEBENTIOY MAPKIANOΠOΛI,T−ΩN (HΓ & OY ligate, end in field), Homonoia standing slightly left, kalathos on head, sacrificing from patera in right over flaming altar at feet on left, cornucopia in right; USA import restricted type, from the old stock of a retiring Ohio dealer acquired by Forum in 2012; $36.00 (€31.32) |
| Severus Alexander, 13 March 222 - March 235 A.D., Marcianopolis, Moesia Inferior |  | Nemesis, the winged balancer of life, is the goddess of revenge, the avenger of crimes and punisher of wicked doers. She distributes fortune, good or bad, in due proportion to each according to what is deserved. The wheel of fate rests against her side. She holds a lorum, a long scarf worn by Roman magistrates, to symbolize her authority as judge, and holds the scales and cubit rule to measure each man's just deserts.
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| RP69739. Bronze AE 25, H-J Marcianopolis 6.32.35.2 var (different reverse legend ligatures, R3), Varbanov I 1724 (R3), AMNG I/I 1031, F+, weight 7.970 g, maximum diameter 25.6 mm, die axis 0o, Markianopolis (Devnya, Bulgaria) mint, Governor Umbrius Tereventinus, 222 - 229 A.D.; obverse AYT K M AYP CEYH AΛEZAN∆POC, laureate, draped and cuirassed bust right, from behind; reverse HΓ OYM TEPEBENTINOY MAPKIANOΠOΛIT,ΩN (OY's ligate, AP ligate, and ΩN ligate in exergue), Nemesis (Dikaiosyne) standing left, scales in right hand, cubit rule and lorum in left; wheel against her right side, at feet on left; from the Butte College Foundation, ex Lindgren; $36.00 (€31.32) |
| Severus Alexander and Julia Mamaea, 13 March 222 - March 235 A.D., Marcianopolis, Moesia Inferior |  | Severus Alexander was only 13 when he became emperor. His mother, Julia Mamaea, governed the Empire with the help of Domitius Ulpianus and a council of 16 senators. Although military command rested in the hands of his generals, Severus Alexander and Julia Mamaea both went to Syria for the campaign against Persia. After heavy losses on both sides, a truce was signed accepting the status quo. In 233, Alexander celebrated a triumph in Rome to commemorate his "victory." Mutinous soldiers led by Maximinus I murdered both Severus Alexander and his mother.
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| RP63351. Bronze pentassarion, AMNG I/I 1084, Varbanov I 1853 corr. (R4), H-J Marcianopolis -, SNG Cop -, BMC Thrace -, F, weight 11.20 g, maximum diameter 27.9 mm, die axis 0o, Markianopolis (Devnya, Bulgaria) mint, consular legate Fir. Philopappus, 229 - 235 A.D.; obverse AYT K M AYΠ CEYH AΛEΞAN∆ΠOC [KAI IYΛIA] MAMAIA, laureate, draped and cuirassed bust of Severus Alexander right, confronting diademed and draped bust of Julia Mamaea left; reverse YΠ ΦIP ΦIΛOΠAΠΠOY MAΠKIANOΠO,ΛITΩN (ending in exergue), Hygieia standing right, feeding snake in arms from patera, E left; USA import restricted type, from the old stock of a retiring Ohio dealer acquired by Forum in 2012; rare; $34.00 (€29.58) |
| Gordian III, 29 July 238 - 25 February 244 A.D., Viminacium, Moesia Superior |  | Viminacium was a Roman Colony founded by Gordian III in 239 A.D. The usual legend is P.M.S. COL. VIM., abbreviating Provinciae Moesiae Superioris Colonia Viminacium. The usual type is a female personification of Moesia standing between a lion and a bull. The bull and the lion were symbols of the Legions VII and IV, which were quartered in the province.
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| RP71488. Bronze AE 23, H-J Viminacium 15 (R2); Varbanov I 119 (R2); AMNG I/I 84; BMC Thrace -, aVF, well centered, rough, weight 7.051 g, maximum diameter 23.4 mm, die axis 0o, Viminacium (near Stari Kostolac, Serbia) mint, c. 242 - 243 A.D.; obverse IMP GORDIANVS PIVS FEL AVG, radiate, draped, and cuirassed bust right, from behind; reverse P M S C-OL VIM, Moesia standing facing, head left, extending hands over bull on left standing right and lion on right standing left, AN IIII (year 4 of the Viminacium colonial era) in exergue; $34.00 (€29.58) |
| Philip I, the Arab, February 244 - End of September 249 A.D., Viminacium, Moesia Superior |  | Viminacium was a Roman Colony founded by Gordian III in 239 A.D. The usual legend is P.M.S. COL. VIM., abbreviating Provinciae Moesiae Superioris Colonia Viminacium. The usual type is a female personification of Moesia standing between a lion and a bull. The bull and the lion were symbols of the Legions VII and IV, which were quartered in the province.
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| RP71499. Bronze AE 28, H-J Viminacium 32 (R2); Varbanov I 138 (R3); AMNG I/I 105; BMC Thrace p. 17, 25, aF, well centered, rough, encrusted, weight 15.422 g, maximum diameter 28.2 mm, die axis 45o, Viminacium (near Stari Kostolac, Serbia) mint, 247 - 248 A.D.; obverse IMP M IVL PHILIPPVS AVG, laureate, draped and cuirassed bust right, from behind; reverse P M S COL VIM, Moesia standing facing, head left, extending hands over bull on left standing right and lion on right standing left, AN VIIII (year 9 of the Viminacium colonial era) in exergue; $34.00 (€29.58) |
| Severus Alexander, 13 March 222 - March 235 A.D., Marcianopolis, Moesia Inferior |  | Renamed by Trajan after his sister, Ulpia Marciana, Marcianopolis was an important strategic center for centuries. The city was repeatedly destroyed by barbarian raids (Goths, Huns, Avars and others) but also was repeatedly rebuilt and prospered. During Valens' conflict with the Goths, Marcianopolis was a temporary capital of the empire and the largest city in Thrace. An Avar raid destroyed the city in 614 or 615.
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| RP63340. Bronze AE 26, H-J Marcianopolis 6.32.7.2 (R4), AMNG I/I 986, Varbanov I 1753 corr. (R5, laureate head), SNG Cop -, BMC Thrace -, F, weight 10.73 g, maximum diameter 25.7 mm, die axis 225o, Markianopolis (Devnya, Bulgaria) mint, consular legate Iulius Gaetulicus, 222 - 225 A.D.; obverse AYT K M A XEY − AΛEΞAN∆POC, laureate and draped bust right, from behind; reverse YΠ IOY ΓETOY∆IKOY − MAPKIANOΠOΛIT (OY's and AP ligate), Apollo standing left, nude, patera in right, branch downward at side in left; USA import restricted type, from the old stock of a retiring Ohio dealer acquired by Forum in 2012; $26.00 (€22.62) |
| Geta, 209 - c. 26 December 211 A.D., Marcianopolis, Moesia Inferior |  | The figure on the reverse is sometimes identified as Eros (Cupid) or a generic winged Genius. The inverted torch represents a life extinguished, indicating the figure is Thanatos (death). By the Severan Era, there was increased hope for an afterlife in pleasant Elysium than in dismal Hades. Thanatos was associated more with a gentle passing than a woeful demise. Thanatos as a winged boy, very much akin to Cupid, with crossed legs and an inverted torch, became the most common symbol for death, depicted on many Roman sarcophagi.
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| RP69737. Bronze AE 18, H-J Marcianopolis 6.22.16.4 (R3), Varbanov I 1113 (R3), AMNG I/I 699 (Thantos left), Fair, weight 3.346 g, maximum diameter 18.5 mm, die axis 45o, Markianopolis mint, obverse Λ CEΠ − ΓETAC K, draped bust right, from behind; reverse MAPKIANOΠOΛITΩN, Thanatos standing right, legs crossed, leaning on inverted extinguished torch set on altar; from the Butte College Foundation, ex Lindgren; $19.00 (€16.53) |
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