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Diadumeniano - assarion di Antiochia
7.4.2013
Salve premetto che non mi ritengo un collezionista. Da anni raccolgo monete da tutto il mondo e ho una piccola collezione di monete italiane del periodo "regno" (solo anni da fine 1800 al 1943). Questa moneta di cui volevo avere notizie mi è stata regalata molti anni fa insieme ad un grosso lotto di monete italiane ma solo quest'anno ne ho scoperta l'esistenza. Provo a descriverla: diametro : 18,5-18,9 mm Peso : 4,23 g Asse conio : 5 Dritto : testa maschile (credo) con tracce di scritte sul bordo della moneta e con verso circolare Rovescio : scritta "SC" con una piccola c in basso e una corona (credo) tutta intorno, sul bordo e con verso circolare Materiale : bronzo? Colore : scuro, brunito, patina color cuoio Non presenta tracce di materiale ferroso (test con calamita) In allegato trova le foto richieste di cui autorizzo l'uso incondizionato. In attesa della sua risposta, cordiali saluti.
 fig. 1
Roma, 10.4.2013

Egregio Lettore,
di seguito riporto gli elementi significativi pertinenti alla moneta di figura:

Assarion1, zecca di Antiochia ad Orontem2, 217÷218 d. C., BMC 408, SNG Cop. 235, indice di rarità "comune"

Descrizione sommaria (sono indicate in rosso le parti della leggenda usurate o comunque illeggibili):
D. KAI M O ΔI ANTΩNINOC CE3. Diadumeniano, busto paludato e corazzato, testa nuda a destra.
R. S C4 all'interno di una corona d'alloro culminante con una stella. Sopra Δ, sotto ε5.

La ricerca nel web di monete di pari tipologia ha prodotto i seguenti risultati:
  1. http://www.ancientimports.com/cgi-bin/lotinfo.pl?id=24976 VF/VF Diadumenian Syria Seleucis and Pieria Antioch Æ20 / Wreath $145.00 Attribution: McAlee 747a/2 Date: 217-218 AD Obverse: Draped cuirassed bust of Diadumenian right Reverse: Large SC, Δ above, ε below, all within wreath terminating in star Size: 20.12 mm Weight: 4.78 grams Rarity: 6 Description: Ex Munzen und Medaillen AG Basel.
  2. http://www.cngcoins.com/Coin.aspx?CoinID=39354 71, Lot: 90. Estimate $75. Sold for $40. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee. SYRIA, Seleukis and Pieria. Antioch. Diadumenian, as Caesar. Æ 21mm (4.69 gm). Struck 217-218 AD. Bare-headed and cuirassed bust right / SC within wreath; D above SC and E below. BMC Galatia pg. 201, 408; SNG Copenhagen 235. VF, black patina under light earthen encrustation.
  3. http://www.tantaluscoins.com/coins/33015.php Coin type: Roman Provincial Entered by: lovetobrew Added on: Oct 26, 2008 Ruler: Diadumenian  Region, City: Syria, Antioch  Coin: AE - bare-headed bust right- Large SC , Δ above, E below within laurel wreath Mint: (AD 217-218) Wt./Size/Axis: 4.50g / 19mm / - References: •Lindgren I, 1999-2001 Acquisition/Sale:  For Sale:  This coin is for sale. ($30.00).
  4. v. ebay Authentic Ancient Coin of: Diadumenian - Roman Caesar: 218 A.D. bronze 20mm (4.20 grams) Struck in Antioch in Syria 217-218 A.D. Reference: SGI 3017; SNG Cop 235; BMC 408. KAI M O ΔI ANTΩNINOC CE, cuirassed bust right. SC within wreath, Δ above, ε below. Antioch on the Orontes (Latin: Antiochia ad Orontem; انطاکیه, Antakya; also Great Antioch or Syrian Antioch) was an ancient city on the eastern side of the Orontes River. It is near the modern city of Antakya, Turkey. Founded near the end of the 4th century BC by Seleucus I Nicator, one of Alexander the Great's generals, Antioch eventually rivaled Alexandria as the chief city of the Near East and was a cradle of gentile Christianity. It was one of the four cities of the Syrian tetrapolis. Its residents were known as Antiochenes. Once a great metropolis of a half million people, it declined during the Middle Ages and was eventually deserted because of repeated earthquakes, military conflicts and the silting-up of its river port. Location of Antioch, in present Turkey. Marcus Opellius Antoninus Diadumenianus or Diadumenian (208–218) was the son of the Roman Emperor Macrinus, and served his father briefly as Caesar (May 217–218) and as Augustus (in 218). Diadumenian was born in 14th of September 208 a.C or according to Historia Augusta in 19th of September 208 a.C because he shared the same birthday with the emperor Antoninus Pius. His mother was Empress Nonia Celsa, although her existence remains dubious, because she was only mentioned by the Historia Augusta. He was born Marcus Opellius Diadumenianus, but his name was changed and added Antoninus to solidify connection to the family of Marcus Aurelius as done by Caracalla. Diadumenian had little time to enjoy his position or to learn anything from its opportunities because the legions of Syria revolted and declared Elagabalus ruler of the Roman Empire. When Macrinus was defeated on June 8, 218, at Antioch, Diadumenian followed his father's death.
  5. http://www.diadumenian.com/antioch%20DE.html Province  Syria City  Antioch Size (mm)  18 Weight (g)  5.07 Die Axis  0 Tariff  Governor  Ob. Leg.  KAI M O ΔI ANTΩNINOC CE Ob. Desc.  Bare headed and cuirassed bust right Meaning  Caesar, Marcus Opellius Diadumenianus Antonius, rule Rev. Leg.  SC Rev. Desc.  Legend in wreath with 6 paired leaves to each side Δ above E below – 6 pointed star above Meaning  Senatus Consulto References; Collection; SGI 3017; BMC 408; SNG Cop. 235 Notes: It is thought the Δ E could stand for Demosia Exousia - the Tribunician Power but Butcher argues it is more likely to represent "of the four eparchies" which relates to the imperial cult - particually strong at Antioch.
  6. v. link DIADUMENIAN (AD 218) Æ 18mm of Antioch, Syria. 217-218 AD. Laureate head right / SC, Delta above, Epsilon below, surrounded by wreath fastened with star. BMC 408; Sear, Greek Imperial Coins 3017. 4.2 gm. Nice reverse, weaker obverse strike. Fine overall. Collectible coin of tough one-year ruler, struck while Diadumenian was Caesar during the brief rule of his father Macrinus (AD 217-218). The prince was only ten years old, and would be executed in 218 when Elagabalus overthrew them. Macrinus and Diadumenian were in the East during the entire time they held power and Antioch served as a virtual eastern capital of the empire during their rule.
  7. http://provincial.cngcoins.com/level3.asp?CurPage=82&CurLot=1396 Antioch. Diadumenian, 218. Bronze (AE; 18-19mm; 4.57g; 12h) AD 218. [  ]ΩΝΙΝΟC Bare headed, draped (?) and cuirassed bust of Diadumenian to right. Rev. S C above, Δ; below, ε; all within laurel wreath.  Cf. BMC Syria p. 201, 407; cf. Lindgren&Kovacs 1999; cf. McAlee 745.
  8. v. link gF/gF Diadumenian, Syria, Seleucis and Pieria, Antioch Æ18 / Wreath Attribution: SNG Cop. 235 Date: 218 AD Obverse: Bare-headed cuirassed bust of Diadumenian right Reverse: Large S C within laurel wreath,  above, Δ; below, ε; star between ends of wreath Size: 18.91 mm Weight: 3.86 grams Description: A decent and scarcer type.
  9. http://www.cngcoins.com/Coin.aspx?CoinID=134019 200, Lot: 277. Estimate $100. Sold for $60. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee. SYRIA, Seleucis and Pieria. Antioch. Diadumenian. AD 218. Æ As (18mm, 4.10 g, 6h). Bare-headed and cuirassed bust right / S C; above, Δ; below,  all within laurel wreath fastened at top with star. McAlee 745(c)/2 (this coin illustrated). VF, green patina, some deposits.
  10. http://www.arminius-numismatics.com/coppermine1414/cpg1414/displayimage.php?album=10&pos=59 Antiochia ad Orontem in Syria, Diadumenian Caesar, 217-218 AD., Assarion / Æ 19 (19 mm / 4,50 g), bronze, axes medal alignment ↑↑ (ca. 0°), Obv.: KAI MO ΔI ANTΩNINOC CЄ, his bare-headed, cuirassed bust right. Rev.: large S•·C, Δ above, Є below, all in a laurel wreath of 5 pairs of leaves, ornamented by star at top. BMC Galatia, p. 201, 408 ; SNG Cop. 235 ; Megaw ANT3b.
  11. http://www.numismall.com/imperialcoins/SYRIA-Antioch-Diadumenian.-218-AD.-AE19..html SYRIA, Antioch, Diadumenian. 218 AD. AE19 (19mm, 3.63g). Bare head, cuiriassed right / SC within wreath, D above, E below. SNG-Cop 235; BMC 408. US$39.00 EUR 29.95.
  12. v. link Diadumenian AE 1 Assarion of Antioch, Syria Diadumenian AE 1 Assarion of Antioch, Syria. KAI M O DIA ANTWNEINOC CE, bare-headed, cuirassed bust right / Large SC within laurel wreath of 5 pairs of leaves, star over delta above, epsilon below. Megaw ANT3b; SGI 3017; BMC 408; SNG Cop. 235. 5.00g 19mm GOOD FINE.
  13. http://www.acsearch.info/record.html?id=214665 Source FORVM ANCIENT COINS Description Diadumenian, mid May - 8 June 218 A.D., Antioch, Syria
    8561. Bronze AE 20, BMC 408-411, VF, Antioch mint, 4.91g, 18.9mm, 0°, as Caesar, 11 Apr 217 - mid May 218 A.D.; obverse KAI MO ΔI ANTΩNEINOC CE, bare-headed, cuirassed bust right; reverse large S•C, Δ above, E below, all in wreath ornamented by star; SOLD.
  14. http://www.imperialcoins.com/itemdetail.asp?type=S&item=3837 ANTIOCH, Diadumenian. 217-218 AD. AE19 (19mm, 3.16g). Cuirassed bust of Diadumenian right, head bare / SC, Delta above, Epsilon below, surrounded by wreath fastened with star. BMC 408; SG 3017.  US$ 49    € 38,75   £ 32,98   SFr. 45,78 Rates for 4/8/2013.
  15. https://www.numisbids.com/n.php?p=lot&sid=458&lot=181 SYRIA. Seleucis and Pieria. Antioch. Diadumenian (217-218). AE. Obv: KAI M O Δ ANTΩNINOC CEB. Bare headed, draped and cuirassed bust right. Rev: S • C, Δ above, Є below; all within laurel wreath fastened at top with diamond. McAlee 745a. Condition: Very fine. Weight: 3.0 g. Diameter: 17 mm.
  16. http://www.ancientpeddler.com/apgallery/displayimage.php?pos=-17986 Mark - Syria, Seleucis & Pieria, Antioch - Diadumenian, Caesar, 217-218 AD, Æ 18mm, 5.41gm, axis: 180º - KAI M O ΔIA ANTΩNINOC CE. Bare-headed & cuirassed bust right. / Large SC; Δ above and ε beneath, all within laurel-wreath with star at top. SGI 3017; MacAlee 745a. $24 Start, Price Realized: $25.
  17. v. link Diadumenian AE18 Antioch, Syria, SC within wreath. Diadumenian AE18 Antioch, Syria, SC within wreath. Just about perfect!  217-218 AD.  Antioch on Orontes Price: US$ 89.00 Rates for: 4/8/2013.
  18. http://www.wildwinds.com/coins/ric/diadumenian/_antioch_AE20_SGI_3017.1.jpg Diadumenian. 1 Assarion. Antioch, Syria. KAI M O DIA ANTWNEINOC CE, bare-headed, cuirassed bust right Large SC within laurel wreath of 5 pairs of leaves, star over delta above, epsilon below. Megaw ANT3b; SGI 3017; BMC 408; SNG Cop. 235. Courtesy of Roma Numismatics, Feb, 2010.
  19. http://www.wildwinds.com/coins/ric/diadumenian/_antioch_MacAlee_745a.jpg Diadumenian,  AE 18. Antioch, Syria. KAI M O DIA ANTWNEINOS SE, bare-headed, cuirassed bust right. Large SC with wreath, dot in diamond over delta above, Epsilon below. Megaw ANT1; MacAlee 745a.
    20.
Concludo osservando che le caratteristiche fisiche e di stile della moneta di figura appaiono compatibili con gli assarion d'epoca. Il valore venale della moneta, nello stato presente di conservazione, è modesto, non superiore, a mio avviso, ai 20,00€.

Un saluto cordiale.
Giulio De Florio

Note:

(1) Assarion (assarion è la forma ellenizzata dell'asse romano; l'asse, che, in epoca repubblicana, nel 3° secolo a. C., pesava 255g e oltre, si ridusse progressivamente di peso, sino a raggiungere, nel primo e secondo secolo d. C., circa 10g. L'assarion fu largamente utilizzato nell'Egeo e in Asia Minore, di solito con un peso ancora più ridotto rispetto all'asse - v. link).
Raccolgo in tabella le caratteristiche fisiche degli assarion della tipologia di figura presenti nei link sopra indicati:

Link Peso (g.) Diametro (mm) Asse di conio (ore)
Link1 4,78 20,12 -
Link2 4,69 21 -
Link3 4,50 19 -
Link4 4,20 20 -
Link5 5,07 18 -
Link6 4,2 - -
Link7 4,57 18,5 12
Link8 3,86 18,91 -
Link9 4,10 18 6
Link10 4,50 19 0
Link11 3,63 19 -
Link12 5 19 -
Dunque la moneta di figura presenta caratteristiche fisiche (4,23g, c. 18,7mm, 5h) non difformi da quelle degli assarion sopra tabulati.
(2) Antiochia, terza città dell'impero e capitale della Siria (v. link), sorgeva in riva all'Oronte.
(3) KAIσαρ Mάρκος Oπέλλιος ΔIαδυμενιανός ANTΩNINOC CEβαστός (Cesare Marco Opellio Diadumeniano Antonino Augusto). Traggo dal portale dell'enciclopedia Treccani le note che seguono su questo imperatore: "Figlio di M. Opellio Macrino, Diadumeniano nacque il 14 settembre del 208 o, secondo la Historia Augusta, il 19 Settembre, nello stesso giorno di Antonino Pio. Quando Macrino fu elevato Augusto nell'aprile 217, Diadumeniano ricevette, con il titolo di Cesare, il nome Antonino, per sottolineare, come già era avvenuto per Caracalla, la discendenza dinastica da Marco Aurelio. Dopo la rivolta del maggio 218, che portò all'elevazione di Eliogabalo, Macrino impose suo figlio come Augusto. Inviato in seguito dal padre presso Artabano, re dei Parthi, per chiedere aiuti, fu scoperto durante il viaggio, fatto prigioniero e ucciso all'età di appena dieci anni (218 d. C.)".
(4) Antiochia battè dupondi e assi di stile romano che recavano sul rovescio la sigla SC (Senatus Consulto) ma anche oboli e calchi con le immagini delle divinità etniche e tutelari. I dioboli e gli oboli si avvicinavano come dimensioni a quelle dei dupondi e assi provinciali, mentre i calchi (Chalkous in inglese) non avevano alcuna relazione pratica con i semisse e quadranti romani (v. link pag.115).
(5) Si pensa che Δ E possa significare Demosia Exousia (Potestà Tribunizia) ma Butcher sostiene che più probabilmente Δ E si relazioni con le 4 (Δ=4) Eparchie (regioni amministrative) ed il connesso culto imperiale, particolarmente sentito ad Antiochia, sede del sommo sacerdote, capo supremo del culto imperiale in Siria (v. link).
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