Septimius Severus denarius ot Day

[maridvnvm]

This one arrived through the letterbox today and thought I would share it with you.

Septimius Severus denarius
Obv:– L SEPT SEV PE-RT AVG IMP V, Laureate draped and cuirassed bust right
Rev– P M TR P III COS II P P, Mars walking right holding spear and trophy
Minted in Rome. A.D. 194
Reference(s) – BMCRE W113 (Citing an anonymous gift from 1924 from the Plevna hoard same obverse die). RIC IV unlisted (RIC 60 var but draped and cuirassed instead of plain head). RSC 396a (citing BMCRE coin)

The usual bust on the denarii of this period is the Laureate head right with other bust types being very much the exception.

This example is an onverse die match to the BMCRE plate coin and is from the Dereham Hoard found in Norfolk in the UK between 2004 and 2007 and subsequently sold in auction by DNW.

Regards,
Martin

[Noah]

That is a nice denarius with a pleasant portrait of Severus.  I am quite fond of Mars reverses due to his typical "action" poses suggesting readiness for combat (spear) and the glory of victory (trophy).

Best, Noah

[casata137ec]

Beautiful obverse, but I have a question: what exactly was the "trophy"? It sort of looks like a standard.

Chris

[maridvnvm]

...what exactly was the "trophy"? It sort of looks like a standard.

Chris

The trophy is a trophy of arms that is one of the common attributes carried by Mars. I have included a couple of examples of trophies. One is standing alone and the other being carried by Mars on a Probus ant.



Regards,
Martin

[casata137ec]

Wow...the trophy that Mars is carrying in the close up looks to be a legionary standard...that's pretty cool! 

Chris

[Robert_Brenchley]

Here's a Crispus with a trophy. It represents captured enemy arms displayed on a post.

[silvernut]

Back to the original coin, I've been loosely on the lookout for these "draped and cuirassed" of Severus, but no luck so far! Very nice find, Martin!

Regards,
Ignasi