Elagabalus, Severus Alexander, Maximinus: Undated Coinage.
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05. Elagabalus antoninianus.Antoninianus, 218-219 AD, Rome mint.
Obverse: IMP CAES ANTONINVS AVG / Radiate bust of Elagabalus.
Reverse: FIDES EXERCITVS / Fides seated, holding eagle and standard, another standard in front of her.
5.39 gm., 22 mm.
RIC #67; Sear #7487.Callimachus
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06. Elagabalus.Denarius, 218-222 AD, Rome mint.
Obverse: IMP CAES ANTONINVS AVG / Radiate bust of Elagabalus.
Reverse: FIDES EXERCITVS / Fides seated, holding eagle and standard, another standard in front of her.
2.50 gm., 18 mm.
RIC #68.Callimachus
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10. Elagabalus.Denarius, 218 - 219 AD, Rome mint.
Obverse: IMP CAES M AVR ANTONINVS AVG / Laureate bust of Elagabalus.
Reverse: SALVS . ANTONINI . AVG / Salus standing, feeding snake held in her arms.
2.96 gm., 19 mm
RIC #140.
At this time in Roman history, people were already looking back to the reigns of Antoninus Pius and Marcus Aurelius as a Golden Age. Later emperors wanted to be associated with them, and to that end Septimius Severus adopted himself into the Antonine Dynasty. His son Caracalla assumed the name Antoninus as his official name, as did Elagabalus. The reverse of this coin pictures Salus, the goddess of good health and well-being. The legend expresses the wish, roughly translated, "Long live the Antonine Emperors."Callimachus
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14. Elagabalus.Denarius, 220-221 AD, Rome mint.
Obverse: IMP ANTONINVS PIVS AVG / Laureate bust of Elagabalus.
Reverse: SECVRITAS SAECVLI / Securitas seated, holding sceptre in left hand, and resting right arm on back of throne.
2.35 gm., 19 mm.
RIC #145; Sear #7546.Callimachus
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15. Elagabalus.Denarius, 221-222 AD, Rome mint.
Obverse: IMP ANTONINVS PIVS AVG / Laureate bust of Elagabalus.
Reverse: SVMMVS SACERDOS AVG / Elagabalus standing, holding patera and branch, sacrificing over altar. Star in field.
3.00 gm., 18 mm.
RIC #146; Sear #7549.
Many of Elagabalus' later coins have a horn on his head. It is visible as a prong coming out of the top of his head and pointing forward. There was an idea in antiquity that a horn (or horns) on someone's head symbolized divine power coming from that person.Callimachus
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20. J. Maesa antoninianus.Antoninianus, 218 - 219 AD, Branch mint.
Obverse: IVLIA MAESA AVG / Bust of Julia Maesa on crescent.
Reverse: PIETAS AVG / Pietas standing, holding incense box and raising hand over lighted altar.
4.80 gm., 22 mm.
RIC #264; S #7748.
The coinage of Julia Maesa is fairly extensive. Coins with her portrait were minted at Antioch (and/or other Eastern mints) from the beginning of Elagabalus' reign until that mint was closed in 220. The mint at Rome minted her coins for the entire four year period of his reign, and possibly even into the reign of Severus Alexander as well.
There is only one type of antoninianus listed for Julia Maesa, and this is it. This coin was minted early in the reign of Elagabalus, before the denomination was discontinued. Although RIC lists this coin as being minted in Rome, it may well have been minted by a mint that traveled with Elagabalus on his journey to Rome 218 - 219 AD.Callimachus
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21. J. Maesa denarius.Denarius, 218 - 220 AD, Antioch mint.
Obverse: IVLIA MAESA AVG / Bust of Julia Maesa.
Reverse: FECVNDITAS / Fecunditas seated, extending right hand holding a branch over a child, holding sceptre in left hand. Another child standing next to her.
3.03 gm., 18 mm.
RIC #249 var.; Sear #7748.
This coin is generally thought to have been minted during the reign of her other grandson, Elagabalus.Callimachus
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22. J. Soaemias.Denarius, 220 - 222 AD, Rome mint.
Obverse: IVLIA SOAEMIAS AVG / Bust of Julia Soaemias.
Reverse: VENVS CAELESTIS / Venus standing, holding apple and sceptre.
3.14 gm., 19 mm.
RIC #241; Sear #7719.
The coinage of Julia Soaemias is much smaller than that of her mother. Coins of the "eastern style" do not exist for her, so it is likely that her coinage started after the eastern mint(s) was closed. Her coinage, then, was entirely minted at Rome, and spans the years 220 - 222. Callimachus
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23. J. Paula.Denarius, 219 - 220 AD, Rome mint.
Obverse: IVLIA PAVLA AVG / Bust of Julia Paula.
Reverse: VENVS GENETRIX / Venus seated, holding globe and sceptre.
2.06 gm., 19 mm.
RIC #222; Sear #7658.Callimachus
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24. Aquilia Severa.Denarius, 221 AD, Rome mint.
Obverse: IVLIA AQVILIA SEVERA AVG / Bust of Aquilia Severa.
Reverse: CONCORDIA / Concordia standing, holding patera and double cornucopiae, lighted altar at feet, star at left.
2.95 gm., 21 mm.
RIC #225; Sear #7679.Callimachus
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30. Severus Alexander.Denarius, ca 225 AD, Rome mint.
Obverse: IMP C M AVR SEV ALEXAND AVG / Laureate bust of Severus Alexander.
Reverse: IOVI VLTORI / Jupiter seared, holding Victory and spear.
3.01 gm., 18 mm.
RIC #144; Sear #7873.
The reverse legend is of some interest on this coin: IOVI VLTORI. The epithet Ultori (Avenger) is usually applied to Mars, not Jove. When Severus Alexander's cousin and predecessor Elagabalus was emperor, the temple of Jupiter (Jove) in Rome became the temple of the eastern sun-god El-Gabal. The religious excesses of the reign finally ended with the murder of Elagabalus, and things began to get back to normal. The temple was cleansed and rededicated to Jupiter. It is likely that the epithet Ultor was given to Jupiter at this time to appease him for the affront he suffered during the previous reign. Callimachus
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35. Severus Alexander.Denarius, ca 223 AD, Rome mint.
Obverse: IMP C M AVR SEV ALEXAND AVG / Laureate bust of Severus Alexander.
Reverse: PAX AETERNA AVG / Pax standing, holding branch and sceptre.
2.24 gm., 20 mm.
RIC #165; Sear #7886.
Issued early in the reign of Severus Alexander, the reverse of this coin promises that the new reign will be one of eternal peace.
Notice that on the reverse sides of this coin, there is sort of an upside-down shadow of the portrait on the other side. This is an example of "clashed dies" -- the two dies were struck together without a flan in between them. The reverse die was damaged, and this damage showed up on any coins that were subsequently struck from it. Callimachus
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40. Severus Alexander.Denarius, ca 222-223 AD, Rome mint.
Obverse: IMP C M AVR SEV ALEXAND AVG / Laureate bust of Severus Alexander.
Reverse: SALVS PVBLICA / Salus feeding serpent rising from altar.
3.27 gm., 19.5 mm.
RIC #178;
Sear #7925.Callimachus
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45. Severus Alexander.Denarius, ca 225 AD, Rome mint.
Obverse: IMP C M AVR SEV ALEXAND AVG / Laureate bust of Severus Alexander.
Reverse: VICTORIA AVG / Victory running, holding wreath and palm branch.
2.64 gm., 19 mm.
RIC #180; Sear #7931.Callimachus
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50. Severus Alexander.Denarius, ca 225 AD, Rome mint.
Obverse: IMP C M AVR SEV ALEXAND AVG / Laureate bust of Severus Alexander.
Reverse: VIRTVS AVG / Virtus standing, with spear and shield.
2.64 gm., 20 mm.
RIC #182; Sear # 7934.Callimachus
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55. Severus Alexander.Denarius, ca 229 AD, Rome mint.
Obverse: IMP SEV ALEXAND AVG / Laureate bust of Severus Alexander.
Reverse: ANNONA AVG / Annona standing, holding modius and rudder placed on globe.
2.99 gm., 19 mm.
RIC #190; Sear #7860.Callimachus
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60. Severus Alexander.Denarius, ca 231 AD, Rome mint.
Obverse: IMP SEV ALEXAND AVG / Laureate bust of Severus Alexander.
Reverse: VICTORIA AVG / Victoria standing, holding wreath and palm branch.
2.91 gm., 20 mm.
RIC #212; Sear #7928.
In 229, the Persians invaded and occupied the Roman province of Mesopotamia. Severus Alexander and his mother left Rome for the East in the spring of 231 to take charge of the campaign against the Persians. This coin, with its reverse legend of VICTORIA AVG, anticipates a Roman victory over the Persians. Callimachus
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65. Severus Alexander sestertius.Sestertius, 223 AD, Rome mint.
Obverse: IMP CAES M AVR SEV ALEXANDER AVG / Laureate bust of Severus Alexander.
Reverse: PONTIF MAX TR P II COS P P / Pax seated, holding branch and sceptre. S C in exergue.
23.60 gm., 32 mm.
RIC #402.Callimachus
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66. Severus Alexander Aes.Aes, 222-223 AD, Rome mint.
Obverse: IMP CAES M AVR SEV ALEXANDER AVG / Laureate bust of Severus Alexander.
Reverse: PROVIDENTIA DEORVM / Providentia standing, leaning on column, legs crossed, holding cornucopiae and wand; globe at her feet.
11.44 gm., 28 mm.
RIC #599; Sear #8098.
The reverse of this coins shows evidence of clashed dies and a partial double strike.
The coin is considerably darker than this photo.Callimachus
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67. Severus Alexander dupondius.Dupondius, 228 AD, Rome mint.
Obverse: IMP SEV ALEXANDER AVG / Radiate bust of Severus Alexander.
Reverse: RESTITVTOR MON / Severus Alexander standing, holding spear. S C in fields.
9.78 gm., 25 mm.
RIC #601; Sear #8052.
This very coin is pictured on page 662 of Roman Coins and Their Values II by David Sear.Callimachus
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68. Severus Alexander sestrtius.Sestertius, ca 232 AD, Rome mint.
Obverse: IMP ALEXANDER PIVS AVG / Laureate bust of Severus Alexander.
Reverse: PROVIDENTIA AVG / Providentia standing, holding two corn-ears and cornucopiae. Modius at left, SC either side of her.
15.83 gm., 27 mm.
RIC #642.Callimachus
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70. J. Mamaea denarius.Denarius, ca 228 AD, Rome mint.
Obverse: IVLIA MAMAEA AVG / Diademed bust of Julia Mamaea.
Reverse: FELICITAS PVBLICA / Felicitas standing, legs crossed, holding caduceus and leaning arm on column.
3.01 gm., 20 mm.
RIC #335; Sear #8209.Callimachus
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71. J. Mamaea sestertius.Sestertius, ca 224 AD, Rome mint.
Obverse: IVLIA MAMAEA AVGVSTA / Diademed bust of Julia Mamaea.
Reverse: VENERI FELICI / Venus standing, holding sceptre and Cupid. SC in field on either side.
22.83 gm., 34 mm.
RIC #694; S. # 8232.Callimachus
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75. Orbiana denarius.Denarius, ca 225 AD, Rome mint.
Obverse: SALL BARBIA ORBIANA AVG / Diademed bust of Orbiana.
Reverse: CONCORDIA AVGG / Concordia seated, holding patera and double cornucopiae.
4.10 gm., 18.5 mm.
RIC #319; Sear #8191.Callimachus
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76. Orbiana sestertius.Sestertius, ca 225 AD, Rome mint.
Obverse: SALL BARBIA ORBIANA AVG / Diademed bust of Orbiana.
Reverse: CONCORDIA AVGVSTORVM / Concordia seated, holding patera and double cornucopiae. SC in exergue.
24.79 gm., 33 mm.
RIC #655; Sear #8193.Callimachus
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77. Severus Alexander brockage.Denarius, ca 226-28 AD, Rome mint.
Obverse: IMP C M AVR SEV ALEXAND AVG / Laureate bust of Severus Alexander.
Reverse: Incuse image of the obverse.
2.12 gm., 19 mm.
The style of the bust and lettering indicates this coin is from the mint of Rome. Severus Alexander was first portrayed with a beard in 226. In 228 a new shorter legend was introduced. So this coin can be dated between 226 and 228. What the reverse type was suppose to be can not be determined.Callimachus
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78. Severus Alexander, deified.Antoninianus, 250 - 251 AD, Rome mint.
Obverse: DIVO ALEXANDRO / Radiate bust of Severus Alexander.
Reverse: CONSECRATIO / Eagle.
4.14 gm., 22 mm.
RIC Trajian Decius #97.Callimachus
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79. Severus Alexander, deified.Antoninianus, 250 - 251 AD, Rome mint.
Obverse: DIVO ALEXANDRO / Radiate bust of Severus Alexander.
Reverse: CONSECRATIO / Flaming altar.
3.96 gm., 22 mm.
RIC Trajian Decius #98.Callimachus
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85. Maximinus I sestertius.Sestertius, 236-37 AD, Rome mint.
Obverse: MAXIMINVS PIVS AVG GERM / Laureate bust of Maximinus.
Reverse: FIDES MILITVM / Fides standing, holding standard in each hand. S C in field.
16.92 gm., 30 mm.
RIC #78.Callimachus
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88. Paulina.Denarius, ca 235-236 AD, Rome mint.
Obverse: DIVA PAVLINA / Veiled bust of Paulina.
Reverse: CONSECRATIO / Paulina, holding sceptre, and seated on a peacock flying to heaven.
2.49 gm., 20 mm.
RIC #2; Sear #8400.Callimachus
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90. Maximus Caesar.Denarius, 236 - 238 AD, Rome mint.
Obverse: MAXIMVS CAES GERM / Bust of Maximus.
Reverse: PRINC IVVENTVTIS / Maximus standing, holding baton and spear. Two standards behind him.
2.52 gm., 21 mm.
RIC #3; Sear #8346.Callimachus
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