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Septimius Severus, 9 April 193 - 4 February 211 A.D., Nikopolis ad Istrum
There are peculiarities about these Roman crescent and star reverse types that are difficult to understand. First, the crescents are almost always depicted with the horns up. The moon is never seen this way in the sky. Also, in the sky stars are never visible within the horns of the crescent moon because there they would be behind the shadowed yet solid and opaque orb. The crescent with horns up may represent a solar eclipse.RP92881. Bronze assarion, H-H-J Nikopolis 8.14.48.37 (R2), Varbanov I 2474 var. (obv. leg.), AMNG I/I 1432, Moushmov 986, gVF, green patina, slightly off center, scratches, spot of corrosion on reverse, weight 2.928 g, maximum diameter 16.6 mm, die axis 180o, Nicopolis ad Istrum (Nikyup, Bulgaria) mint, 9 Apr 193 - 4 Feb 211 A.D.; obverse AY K Λ CEVHPOC, laureate head right; reverse NIKOΠOΛITΩN ΠPOC IC, five stars above and within crescent with horns upward; $70.00 (€64.40)
Gordian III and Tranquillina, May 241 - 25 February 244 A.D. Moesia Inferior, Istros
In 241, Timesitheus was appointed Praetorian Prefect. In May, Gordian married his daughter Tranquillina and she was made Augusta. The marriage was an admission of political indispensability of Timesitheus and Tranquillina's suitability as an empress. Tranquillina survived her husband. She had no sons with him but they may have had a daughter, born after Gordian's death.RP54135. Bronze pentassarion, Varbanov 691, AMNG I/I 528, VF, weight 13.509 g, maximum diameter 26.2 mm, die axis 180o, Istros (near Istria, Romania) mint, May 241 - 25 Feb 244 A.D.; obverse AVT K M ANT ΓOP∆IANOC CABI TRANKIΛIHN, confronted busts of Gordian on left, laureate, draped, and cuirassed, and Tranquillina on right, draped and wearing stephane; reverse ICTPIHNΩN, Tyche standing half left, kalathos on head, rudder on globe in right hand, cornucopia in left hand, E (mark of value) in left field; SOLD
Elagabalus, 16 May 218 - 11 March 222 A.D., Nikopolis ad Istrum, Moesia Inferior
Asclepius learned the secrets of healing after seeing one snake bring another herbs. Woman seeking fertility, and the sick and injured, slept in his temples where snakes were left to crawl on the floor and provide healing. Nearby excavations found 2nd c. bronze surgical instruments and a case containing a variety of medicines.RP29741. Bronze AE 26, Varbanov I 3978a, EF, superb portrait, upper reverse flat, weight 11.319 g, maximum diameter 26.1 mm, die axis 180o, Nicopolis ad Istrum (Nikyup, Bulgaria) mint, cos. legate Ti. Flavius Novius Rufus, 218 - 222; obverse AVT K AVPH ANTΩNEINOC, laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust right; reverse YΠ NOBIOY POYΦOY NIKOΠOΛITΩN ΠΠOC ICTPON, Asklepios standing facing, head left, resting right hand on snake-entwined staff, left hand on hip; SOLD