Unknown Denarius, Seems Septimius Sev to me

[Michael van der Lee]

Hi Everyone,


Hope anybody can help. I can't get my hand around the legend. Silver denarius, 15 to 17 mm, 2,4 grams
Obverse : emperor
Reverse : emperor on horseback, carrying spear, riding rightwards
Rev legend : a T at 1200 and probably VIR at 0300 the R is uncertain.

Help is greatly appreciated
THANKS

Michael van der Lee (NL)

[maridvnvm]

Looks like an unofficial copy of a Septimius Severus. It seems to be copying "PROFECTIO AVG, Septimius Severus in military dress on horseback right, holding spear".
Regards,
Martin

[Michael van der Lee]

Thanks Martin,

that was along my line of thought. Still don't understand the VIR
(or something like it) at right. But that's one of life's lessons ...



Michael van der Lee (NL)

[maridvnvm]

With unofficial coinage they can sometimes follow a real type quite closely but the style is off

Obv:– IMP CAE L SEPT ERT AVT COS II, Laureate head right
Rev:– VICTOR SEV-E-R AVG, Victory walking left, holding wreath in right hand, palm in left
Minted in unofficial mint



and sometimes they are non-sensical

Obv:– IMP CAE L SEPT ERT AVT COS II, Laureate head right
Rev:– IOVL SER ?? AVG, Jupiter?, seated left



These happen to come from the same obverse die.

[Michael van der Lee]

Oh, as in the hair I suppose ? Mine seems very comparable (to me   )

Is unofficial always illegal (as far as we know ?)

Thanks !

[maridvnvm]

As far as we know all unofficial coins are illegal, contemporary imitations. SOMetimes the style is better than on others depending on the skill of the engraver and what they are copying.

Here they are copying an IMP VII issues eastern coin but even those coins were never this crude in terms of style



This likely copies an eastern IMP II coin....



Here they are copying a Rome mint legionary denarius. Again in decent style but not good enough



This time a Rome mint IMP X. Decent enough stylistically but also not good enough to be an official coin



This one likely imitates a later issue coin from Laodicea-ad-Mare



Do these help?

[Michael van der Lee]

They help indeed. Thanks for al the trouble you've taken.
Fascinating material !

Best Regards
Michael

[Joe Sermarini]

Nice photos Martin. Thanks for sharing.

I find them fascinating. They make me want to know more about them. But most of my questions are likely to remain unanswered.

[Jay GT4]

A great sub collection.

[maridvnvm]

Thanks.
I have a liking for the official Eastern issues of Septimius Severus. As an interesting side line I have an interest in the imitatives of the eastern issues.

Here are a few more interesting examples that copy these eastern issues.

Obv:- IMP CAE L SEP SEVRTIVS COS II, Laureate head right
Rev:- VICT AVG, Victory walking left, holding wreath in right hand, palm in left
Copying a coin minted in Emesa. A.D. 194 - 195
Ref:– copying RIC IV 424

Quite good style but in copper. Likely the core to a fouree.



Obv:– IMP CAE L SEP SE_V PERT AVG COS II, Laureate head right
Rev:– BO...-ETOIVC, Fides standing left, basket of fruit in right hand, corn ears in left
Copies a coin minted in Emesa. A.D. 194-195
Reference:– cf RIC IV 369

Imitates a BONI EVENTVS

Ex Zach Beastley (Beast) collection



Obv:–IMP CAE L SEP SEV PERT AVG COS II, Laureate head right
Rev:– T R P III IMP V COS II, Two captives seated at base of trophy
Copies a coin minted in Emesa. A.D. 194-195
Reference:– cf RIC IV 435



Obv:– IMP CAE L SEP SEV PERT AVG CO, Laureate head right
Rev:– VICT AVG TR P [COS II P P], Victory walking left, holding wreath in right hand, palm in left