 All coins on this page are varieties of the most common legion LEG XIIII GEMMV showing variations in style, standards and legend divisions. This legion was stationed at Carnuntum and commanded by Septimius Severus. It proclaimed him Emperor and was, naturally, most honored by him in the series of legionary coins. It was the only legion honored with a bronze sestertius. The number of coins surviving from this one legion approximately equals the total of all other legions combined. Still the coins are more scarce than many other reverses of Septimius Severus. The likely explanation is that coins of Legion XIIII were continued for some time (still in 193 AD) after the end of issues for all other legions. These coins are most varied in style and details. The few samples shown here are by no means comprehensive of what is available.
  (Left) With capricorns - numeral split XI--III (Right) With capricorns - Obverse die link to LEG ITAL specimen Most coins of this legion show capricorns on standards. Many show the numeral XIIII divided with a common division being XI--III. This may well explain many of the misread coins mentioned under Legion XIII. The left coin is typical of the common variety. Perhaps there is some code or dating to be deduced from these spacing varieties? The coin on the right uses the same obverse die of the example of LEG ITAL shown on my Legion I page. This suggests that this coin was issued early during the time while all legions were in production. Die links between coins of different legions are not particularly rare but I have not studied the matter enough to see a pattern. It would seem likely that the legions were divided up among the workshops but it seems certain that this division was not simply by numeral. More study is needed.
  (Left) Without capricorns (Right) Without capricorns - Portrait like Didius Julianus? These two coins both lack capricorns on the standards. The right coin bears a portrait style that strike me as resembling Didius Julianus (agree?). It is not beyond belief that a cutter would have difficulty changing over from cutting one portrait when a new ruler came to power. I also see the possibility that this coin is unofficial. |
