Fav coin 5 April

[Automan]

Not all fav coins have to be high grade. Here's a big one I bought recently. Look at the lovely countermarks.

246. Diocaesarea. Septimius Severus. Æ 33. A.D. 193-211. Obv: (AUTOKRKAISLCEPTICEOUHROS)P ERSEB. Laureate bust right. Two countermarks, both before face: (1) winged thunderbolt in oval punch; (2) eagle to front, head left in oval punch:  Rev: (ADRIANWNDI) OKAISAREWN. Tyche standing left, holding rudder and cornucopia. Ref: BMC 8; Howgego 469 & 337. Grade: about Fine/VG, dark brown patina. Countermarks VF. Die Axis: 30°. Weight: 20.27 g.

In regard to these countermarks Howgego notes “None of the countermarked coins seems to have beens truck later than the reign of Septimius Severus. The eagle and thunderbolt were cult objects of Zeus and were themselves used as types on coins of the city. The two countermarks were clearly applied together and it is unlikely that there was any difference in meaning”.

Auto

[Automan]

Here is a lower denomination from the same city and emperor bearing exactly the same countermarks:

247. Diocaesarea. Septimius Severus. Æ 29. A.D. 193-211. Obv: AUTOKPKAIS.L.SEPTI.(SEUHROCPERSEB). Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust right. Two countermarks: (1) winged thunderbolt in oval punch (to left); (2) eagle in oval punch (to right before bust). Rev: ADR(.DI OKAISA)R EWN. Hexastyle temple inside which thunderbolt on base, to left tree behind altar; two Nikai (?) as acroteria; in pediment bucranium. Ref: BMC 6-7; Sear 2244; Howgego 469 & 337 (same obv. die as plate coin). Grade: Fine, dark brown patina. Countermarks Fine. Die Axis: 195°. Weight: 16.30 g.