Septimius Severus


Alexandria Mint

The Alexandria mint denarii are presented here separated into issues as defined by Roger A. Bickford-Smith in his article 'The Imperial Mints in the East for Septimius Severus: It is Time to Begin a Thorough Reconsideration', Rivista Italiana di Nvmismatica Vol. XCVI p.53ff. The assignments were made by me and were not checked by Mr. Bickford-Smith. If you believe I have made an error please contact me. Additional coins of this mint are shown on my page on Legionary denarii

First Issue Denarii - Feb.-Aug. 194:
This obverse die is distinctive in the placement of the last two letters of 'AVG' beyond the point of the bust.
The Virtus type was copied from Septimius' Rome mint issues and is distinguished by style and the COS II date. The Rome issues would be dated COS when used with the IMP CAE L SEP SEV PERT AVG obverse legend.
Boni Eventus (Good Times) was used at both Alexandria and 'Emesa'. While all Alexandrian coins use the legend IMP CAE L SEP SEV PERT AVG, only the rare first issue from 'Emesa' shares this obverse legend and must be distinguished by style.
Second Issue Denarii - Later 194 AD:
RIC (IV p.92 note*) dismisses this coin as a hybrid with reverse of Pertinax but it is a perfectly normal coin of the Alexandria mint which regularly copied types of other emperors.
The Victory type was copied from Septimius' Rome mint issues and is distinguished by style and the COS II date. The Rome issues would be dated COS when used with the IMP CAE L SEP SEV PERT AVG obverse legend.
Third Issue Denarii - 195 AD:
ARAB ADIAB COS II PP was also used at Rome but not paired with the IMP CAE L SEP SEV PERT AVG obverse which was used at Rome only in 193 AD. The equivalent Rome mint issues would have IMP dated obverse legends.
APOLLINI AVGVSTO was also used at Rome but not paired with the IMP CAE L SEP SEV PERT AVG obverse which was used at Rome only in 193 AD. The equivalent Rome mint issues would have IMP dated obverse legends.

This page shows a small fraction of the types known from this mint. Recent hoards have uncovered additional varieties making the listings in standard literature outdated and especially in need of revision. Coins of the Alexandria denarius mint are frequently poorly struck on light weight flans of poor metal. Their distinctive style can make sound examples particularly attractive and worthy of notice by collectors. A particularly nice coin of this mint rated a separate page on this site.


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© 1997 Doug Smith