Septimius Severus

Later the head is shown more rounded than on the early coins. Earlier period coins always break the obverse legend between E and V of SEV; some even placed a period to reinforce this gap. Later coins vary greatly in this regard showing not only several placements of the break but some with a continuous legend. The meaning of these forced (sometimes awkwardly so) breaks is not understood.

"Later Emesa Mint Denarii"

RIC417 C628	IMP CAE L SEP SEV PERT AVG COS II SAECVL FELICIT	Popular types from this series include the crescent and 7 stars honoring Septimius' interest in astrology.
RIC415 var. C652 var.	IMP CAE L SEP SEV PERT AVG COS II SPQR OPTIMO PBINCIPI	Another shows the emperor on horseback (a type copied from Trajan) with the legend regularly misspelled 'SPQROPTIMOPBINCIPI'.
RIC415 var. C652 var.	IMP CAE L SEP SEV PERT AVG COS II SPQR OPTIMO PBINCIPI	Several dies exist with the 'B' spelling. Since the 'R' in SPQR is normal, we can not take this variety as only a variation in letter form. Why then was the 'error' made so commonly?
RIC415 C652	IMP CAE L SEP SEV PERT AVG COS II SPQR OPTIMO PRINCIPI	For comparison, this die uses the correct 'R' spelling. It is also the more scarce variety in which Septimius does not hold a spear in his right hand but is gesturing to the crowd. Some dies of this variety almost appear to show him holding a wreath but I believe this is an exaggeration of the size of the hand to show the Emperor's finger position. Then, as now, exact finger position in a hand gesture could change a sign of friendship into one of contempt.
unlisted	IMP CAE L SEP SEV PERT AVG COS II FEIICIT TIMLOR..	There are many legend varieties of the common grain & cornucopiae type. One die uses very original spelling with a strangely formed E, I for L, I for E and L for P. If any of the die cutters at this mint were literate, it is unlikely they were fluent in Latin. Style seems quite normal for the series.
unlisted	IMP CAE L SEP SEV PERT AVG COS II MARS PATER	Mars Pater is a common type from the Rome mint but was previously unreported at Emesa. This coin shows the I of IMP oddly separated from the MP.
RIC406 C324	IMP CAE L SEP SEV PERT AVG COS II MART VICTOR	Mars as Victor carries trophy and spear.
RIC410 var. RSC327c var.	IMP CA L SE SEV PER AG COS II MINER VICTRIC	The obverse legend of this rare type omits several letters from the standard formula
RIC413 C376	IMP CAE L SEP SEV PERT AVG COS II PIETAT AVG	The figure sacrificing appears to be Septimius.
RIC396 C242	IMP CAE L SEP SEV PERT AVG COS II IOVI PRAE ORBIS	Note that Jupiter as 'Protector of the world, on the reverse seems to resemble the features of Septimius.
RIC389 C232	IMP CAE L SEP SEV PERT AVG COS II INVICTO IMP	Among the more common types of the later, round head, period is the Trophy of Arms with breastplate, helmet, shields and spears. The arrangement of the arms show is remarkably consistant.
RIC389 var. C232 var.	IMP CAE L SEP SEV PERT AVG COS II INVLCTO IMP	Spelling and spacing on the legends did vary. Most common is the substitution of L for I reading INVLCTO IMP. More than one die was made with this error.
RIC389 var. C232 var.	IMP CAE L SEP SEV PERT AVG COS II INVIC/VTO IMP	This reverse die shows a correction of a mistake in spelling. The C appears to be cut over a V.
RIC400 C283a	IMP CAE L SPE SEV PERT AVG COS II LIBERAL AVG	The Liberalitas type also shows a number of variations in abbreviation. Here the long abbreviation LIBERAL is used.
RIC398 C279a	IMP CAE L SPE SEV PERT AVG COS II LIBER AVG	Here the shorter abbreviation LIBER is used. This early use of a new reverse die still shows raised polish marks and parts of a layout line under the letters. These look like scratches on the photo. The obverse die shows more wear.
RIC399 var. C283 var.	IMP CAE L SPE SEV PERT AVG COS II LIBERA AVG	Here the A of LIBERA is diagonally barred while the other A's on the coin are unbarred. Most unusual is the obverse legend with SPE replacing the expected SEP.
RIC401 C287	IMP CAE L SEP SEV PERT AVG COS II LIBER AVG	Liberalitas is also seen seated. For a reason I have not understood, the seated variety coins usually seem to be on less fine metal flans.
RIC383 RSC175a	IMP CAE L SEP SEV PERT AVG COS II FORTVN REDVC	Fortuna as Hilaritas stands with long palm and cornucopiae
unlisted	IMP CAE L SEP SEV PERT AVG COS II FORT BEDVC	Fortuna as Pax holds a branch and cornucopiae. B is substituted for the expected R of REDVC
RIC411 C330	IMP CAE L SEP SEV PERT AVG COS II MONET AVG	From Emesa this common type is almost always abbreviated MONET AVG. Coins of this mint spelling out MONETA AVG are much more unusual.
RIC364 C58	IMP CAE L SEP SEV PERT AVG COS II BONA SPES.	Later Spes varieties use the legend in the nominative.
RIC414v C614v	IMP CAE L SEP SEV PERT AVG COS II ROMA AETERNA	A rare type of this mint honors the personification of Rome. While off center and missing the right legend, the coin clearly does not read ROMAE AETERNAE or POMA AETERNA as listed in RIC and Mouchmov.
unlisted	IMP CAE L SEP SEV PERT AVG COS II VICTOR VICT	One wonders if the die cutter went to lunch between cutting the VICTOR on the left and VICT on the right (in place of the expected AVG)?
RIC422 C674	IMP CAE L SEP SEV PERT AVG COS II VICT AVG	A scarce variant shows Victory advancing right with a trophy held in both hands.
unlisted	IMP CAE L SEP SEV PERT AVG COS II VICT AVG	Victory is usually shown walking on a plain ground line. Here we see a globe. The obverse die is known used with several other reverses including a normal Victory type. I have not seen another specimen like this and would appreciate hearing if you have one.
RIC424	IMP CAE L SEP SEV PERT AVG COS II VICT AVG	The common VICT AVG coin shows a clear ground line. This coins shares the obverse die of the globe coin above.
RIC425	IMP CAE L SEP SEV PERT AVG COS II VICTOR AVG	Another variety uses the longer legend VICTOR AVG
RIC431 C771	IMP CAE L SEP SEV PERT AVG COS II VIRTVTE AVG	Virtus is shown leaning slightly back holding a reversed spear and what RIC describes as a parazonium. In this case the term refers to a pointless weapon or sheathed sword.
	IMP CAE L SEP SEV PERT AVG COS II
	IMP CAE L SEP SEV PERT AVG COS II	More coins coming to this space