Unique Niger Denarius
203.
Pescennius Niger
; 193-194 AD, Caesarea, Denarius, 2.78g. Zedelius,
Münzprägung von Pertinax bis Clodius Albinus, p. 56, pl. XI.5 (this coin); bust and rev.
type var. of C-68 (Gnecchi coll., 200 Fr.) = BMC 312A note. Obv: IMP CAES C PESC
- NIGER IVSTAVG Bust laureate, draped, cuirassed r., seen from behind. Rx: SALVTI
- AVGVSTI Salus standing r., holding snake and feeding it from patera, without altar
below. Ex M & M List 358, July 1974, lot 30, the sole specimen known to Zedelius.
Apparently unique with draped and cuirassed bust seen from behind on the obverse,
and the SALVTI AVGVSTI type without altar at Salus’ feet on the reverse. The same
SALVTI AVGVSTI type without altar is also known combined with Niger’s draped and
cuirassed bust seen from the front, Zedelius pl. XI.2-3, also very rare, and the draped
and cuirassed bust type seen from behind is known coupled with three other reverse
types, namely SALVTI AVGVSTI with altar, IVSTITIA AVGVSTI standing left, and
FIDEI EXERCITVI Three standards, the middle one with a medallion inscribed VIC
/ AVG, Zedelius pl. XI.6-10. All five of these illustrated denarii are from the same
obverse die as our coin, underlining the rarity of this draped and cuirassed bust type
seen from behind on Niger’s denarii. The normal bust type on Niger’s denarii, at both
Caesarea and Antioch, was of course his plain Head laureate right. EF................5500
204.
ClodiusAlbinusas Caesar
; 193-195 AD, Rome, 194-5 AD, Denarius, 2.69g.
BM-88, C-9 (12 Fr.), RIC-2. Obv: D CLOD SEPT - ALBIN CAES Head bare r. Rx:
COS - II Aesculapius standing l. leaning on serpent-wreathed staff. VF+...............350
205.
Septimius Severus
; 193-211 AD, Rome, 194 AD, Denarius, 2.85g. BM-76,
C-381, RIC-49. Obv: IMP IIII, off flan on this specimen. Rx: P M TR P II COS II
P P Minerva standing l. holding spear and shield. The reverse shows the Palladium,
the archaic statue of Minerva purportedly rescued from Troy and brought to Italy by
Aeneas. Scarce with these titles: 19 specimens in Reka Devnia hoard. EF............250
206.
Septimius Severus and Julia Domna
; 193-211 AD. Rome, 201 AD.
Denarius, 2.75g. BM-193, C-2 (60 Fr.), RIC-161a (R3). Obv: SEVERVS AVG - PART
MAX Head of Septimius laureate r. Rx: IVLIA - AVGVSTA Draped bust of Julia
Domna r. Ex Gemini VIII, 14 April 2011, lot 379. Lightly granular surfaces. Dark gray
toning. VF+................................................................................................................600
207.
Septimius Severus
; 193-211 AD, Rome, 207 AD, Denarius, 3.38g. BM-541,
C-498 (5 Fr.). Rx: Trophy between a seated and a standing captive. Rare: only 6
specimens in Reka Devnia hoard. Flan crack at 6h. EF.............................................200
208.
Septimius Severus
; 193-211 AD, Tridrachm, Cappadocia, Caesarea, Year
18=210 AD, 8.58g. Legend variant of Berk 166, 15 October 2009, 530; otherwise
apparently unpublished. Obv: AY KAI Λ CEΠTIMI - CEOYHPOC AVΓ Bust laureate
r., fold of cloak on far shoulder. Rx: MHTPO KAICA - PIAC NEΩKO around, ET-
IH in lower field, Nike advancing r. holding wreath and palm. The Nike on reverse
doubtless refers to Septimius’ victories in Britain. Apparently only the second recorded
specimen of this tridrachm; Sydenham-404, citing BM-230, is a corresponding drachm.
EF. EF. EF.................................................................................................................1000
209.
Julia Domna
; Tridrachm, Cappadocia, Caesarea, Year 16=208 AD, 7.64g.
Unpublished obv. and rev. legend var. of Syd-448, citing BM-255. Obv: IOYΛIAΔO -
MNAAYΓOYC Bust draped r. Rx: MHTPOΠ - KAICAP NE around, ET IS in exergue,
Mt. Argaeus, with nude male statue extending r. hand and holding scepter in l. hand on
summit. The same obverse die was also used with the type “Young god seated left on
Mt. Argaeus, Year 16”, Berk 167, 3 December 2009, 430. 0. VF+........................1000
210.
Getaas Caesar
; 198-209 AD, Rome, 201-2 AD, Denarius, 2.99g. BM-234, RIC-
18, C-157. Rx: PRI - NC.IVVENTVTIS Geta in tunic holding baton and scepter, trophy
behind . Mint State.....................................................................................................200
211.
Geta as Augustus
; 209-211 AD, Rome, 210-1 AD, Denarius, 3.28g. BM-68,
C-219 (3 Fr.), RIC-92. Obv: P SEPT GETA PIVS - AVG BRIT Head laureate r. Rx:
VICTORIAE BRIT Victory standing l., naked to waist, holding wreath and palm.
Scarce: 20 specimens in Reka Devnia hoard. aEF.....................................................75
212.
Caracalla
; 198-217 AD, Rome, 204 AD, Denarius, 3.43g. BM-280, C-97
corr., RIC-130a. Obv: ANTONINVS - PIVS AVG Bust laureate, draped r. Rx:
INDVLGENTIA AVGG around, IN CARTH in exergue, Dea Caelestis, head r. and
holding thunderbolt and scepter, riding r. on lion above water flowing from rocks.
aEF................................................................................................................................75
213.
Caracalla
; 198-217 AD. Rome, 210-11 AD, Denarius, 2.93g. BM-102, C-629,
RIC-231A. Obv: ANTONINVS PIVS - AVG BRIT Head laureate r. Rx: VICTORIAE -
BRIT Victory running r. holding trophy in both hands. Ex Berk 120, 10 May 2001, 380.
Scarce, fewer than 20 specimens in Reka Devnia hoard (15 in Sofia, the 5 Caracalla
VICTORIAE BRIT denarii in Varna seem to have the wrong Cohen numbers) . aEF....
...................................................................................................................................275
Very Rare Plautilla Drachm from Caesarea
214.
Plautilla
; Caesarea, Cappadocia, Year 13=205 AD, Drachm, 3.25g. Sydenham/
Malloy-496b var. Obv: ΠΛAYTIΛA (sic) - AYΓOYCTA Bust draped r. Rx: MHTPO -
KAICAP around, ET IΓ in exergue, Mt.Argaeus with star on summit. Very rare: perhaps
only the fourth recorded drachm of Plautilla from Caesarea, and a unique new variety.
The other three specimens that we could find: (1) Sydenham/Malloy-496b, a drachm
in ANS of Year 13 like ours, but with obverse legend ΦOYΛ ΠΛAYTIΛΛA, reverse
legend differently abbreviated, and a crescent in reverse field. (2-3) A drachm in Lanz
20, 13 April 1981, lot 685, and another from different dies posted in the ForvmAncient
Coins discussion group, January 2010, both of Year 12 and showing the empress with
an earlier hairdo and with the legend ΦOYΠΛAYTIΛAAYΓ. Sydenham had known no
Caesarean drachms of Plautilla in 1933, and none apart from the Lanz coin mentioned
above are in Berk photofile, CoinArchives Pro, CNG Research, or Wildwinds. The
large hoard of Caesarean silver coins of the Severan era, parts of which were sold by
Harlan Berk in 2009, apparently also contained no drachms of Plautilla. Our coin and
the two drachms of Year 12 mentioned above all have the same curious misspelling of
Plautilla’s name, with a single rather than double L at the end. VF.......................2500
215.
Macrinus
; 217-218 AD, Didrachm, Cappadocia, Caesarea, Year 1=217 AD, 4.98g.
Rev. legend var. of Berk 166, 15 October 2009, 578 (same obv. die). Obv: AY K M
OΠEΛ CE - OYH MAK[PINOC] Bust laureate, draped, cuirassed r. Rx: MHTPOΠ
(MH ligate) - KAICAPI around, ET A in exergue, Agalma of Mt. Argaeus surmounted
by star, set atop garlanded altar. Sydenham/Malloy and other standard sources record
a mere three tetradrachms of Macrinus at Caesarea, and no didrachms at all. A rare
emperor on a lovely provincial type. Nicely centered with most of the legend visible.
High relief. EF..........................................................................................................1200
Exceptional Diadumenian Denarius
216.
Diadumenian as Caesar
; 217-218 AD, Rome, Denarius, 2.88g. BM-87, C-3
(15 Fr.), RIC-102. Obv: M OPEL ANT DIADVMENIAN CAES Bare-headed, draped
bust r., seen from front. Rx: PRINC IVVENTVTIS Diadumenian standing l., head r.,
holding standard and scepter, two further standards behind him. Ex NAC 62, 6 Oct.
2011, S.C. Markoff Coll., lot 2049; ex Gorny & Mosch 142, 10-11 Oct. 2005, lot 2762.
Choice EF.................................................................................................................2950
217.
Elagabalus
; 218-222 AD, Antoninianus, Rome, 218-9 AD, 4.72g. BM-12, RSC-
31a, RIC-70. Obv: IMP CAES M AVR ANTONINVS AVG Bust radiate, draped r.Rx:
FIDES EXERCITVS Fides seated l. holding eagle and standard, with a second standard
before her. EF...........................................................................................................275
218.
Elagabalus
; 218-222 AD, Branch Mint, 219 AD, Denarius, 2.81g. Minor rev.
type variant (spear for scepter) of BM-141, C-68, RIC-91, and Thirion-110. Obv: IMP
ANTONINVS AVG Bust laureate, draped, cuirassed r. Rx: IOVI CON - SERVATORI
Jupiter standing l. holding thunderbolt and spear with point downwards, eagle at his
feet, one standard behind him. Jupiter usually holds a scepter in this type, but here,
probably just by an engraver’s whim, he has been given a spear with point downwards.
The bust type might be draped only: it is probable, but not certain, that there are cuirass
flaps on the emperor’s shoulder. From the Samuel Puchala Collection. A bit rough.
Toned EF....................................................................................................................100
219.
Elagabalus
; 218-222 AD, Antoninianus, Branch Mint, 219 AD, 5.61g. BM-166,
C-280 (3 Fr.), RIC-149. Obv: IMP ANTONINVS AVG Bust radiate, draped r. Rx:
TEMPORVM FELICITAS Felicitas standing l. holding long caduceus and cornucopia.
A bit weakly struck. aEF............................................................................................300
220.
Elagabalus (218-222 AD)
; 218-222 AD, Rome, 222 AD, Denarius, 3.39g. BM-
230, RSC-276b, RIC-146 var. Obv: Without “horn”. Rx: SVMMVS SA - CERDOS
AVG Emperor in Syrian priestly dress sacrificing l. at tripod altar and holding branch,
star in field l. Scarce issue of the last several months of Elagabalus’ reign, after the
“horn” had been removed from the obverse type early in 222 AD: see F. Dieulafait in
the Eauze hoard report, p. 218. Toned EF................................................................200
221.
Julia Maesa
; Rome, 220-221 AD, Denarius, 2.90g. BM-81, C-45, RIC-271. Obv:
IVLIA MAESA AVG, bust right, draped; Rx: SAECVLI FELICITAS, Star in l. field,
Felicitas stg. l., holding long caduceus and sacrificing over lighted altar. Ex Freeman &
Sear Mail Bid 1, 10 March 1995, lot 604. Choice EF..............................................250
222.
Julia Maesa
; Rome, 221-2 AD, Denarius, 3.40g. BM-76, C-36, RIC-268. Obv:
IVLIA MAESA AVG Bust draped r. Rx: PVDICITIA Pudicitia seated l. drawing veil
over head and holding scepter, back of throne visible above her l. shoulder. Ex Berk
134, 8 Oct. 2003, lot 366. EF...................................................................................200
223.
Aquilia Severa
; Rome, 220-221 AD, Denarius, 1.87g. BM-184, C-2 (20 Fr.),
RIC-226. Obv: IVLIA AQVILIA SE[VERA AV]G Bust draped r. Rx: CONCO - R -
D[IA] Concordia sacrificing l. at altar and holding cornucopia, star in r. field. Obverse
a bit weakly struck. Toned VF....................................................................................300
224.
Julia Paula
; Auxiliary Mint, Denarius, 2.81g. BM-321. C-16 (6 Fr.), RIC-216.
Obv: IVLIA PAVLAAVG Bust draped r. Rx: CONCORDIAAVGG Concordia seated
l. on curule chair, holding patera and double cornucopia. Ex Berk 66, 11 June 1991, lot
329. Of exceptional quality. Mint State....................................................................1500
225.
JuliaPaula
; Rome, 220 AD, Denarius, 3.10g. BM-172, RSC-6a, Eauze Hoard-376
(29 spec.), RIC-211. Obv: IVLIA PAVLA AVG Bust draped r., showing later coiffure
with small bun. Rx: CONCO - RDIA Concordia seated l. holding patera and resting l.
elbow on throne, star in l. field. Mint State..............................................................550
226.
Getaas Caesar
; 198-209AD, Denarius, Rome, 201-2AD, 3.20g. BM-234, C-157
var. (RSC-157b), RIC-18. Rx: PRINC IVVENTVTIS Geta in military dress holding
baton and scepter, trophy behind. Some weak strike on reverse. EF.........................140
227.
Severus Alexander
; 222-235 AD, Denarius, Rome, 223 AD, 3.23g. BM-101,
C-236, RIC-27. Rx: P M TR P II COS P P Pax standing l. holding branch and scepter.
EF...............................................................................................................................275
228.
Severus Alexander
; 222-235 AD, Denarius, Eastern Mint, 222-224 AD, 3.08g.
BM-1038, C-559, RIC-301. Obv: IMP SEV ALEXAND AVG Bust laureate, draped r.
Rx: VICTORIAAVG Victory advancing r. holding wreath and palm, star in r. field.
EF...............................................................................................................................110
229.
Severus Alexander
; 222-235 AD, Denarius, Rome, 223 AD, 2.51g. BM-101,
C-236, RIC-27. Rx: P M TR P II COS P P Pax standing l. holding branch and scepter.
EF...............................................................................................................................110
230.
SeverusAlexander
; 222-235 AD, Denarius, Rome, 225-8 AD, 2.73g. BM-344,
C-23, RIC-133. Obv: Legend unbroken above portrait. Rx: ANNONA AVG Annona
standing l. holding wheat ears over modius and cornucopia. Mint State.................225
231.
Severus Alexander
; 222-235 AD, Rome, c. 231-2 AD, Denarius, 3.69g. BM-
790, C-76, RIC-235. Obv: IMP ALEXAN - DER PIVS AVG Bust laureate, draped,
cuirassed r., seen from front. Rx: IOVI PRO - P - VGNATORI Jupiter stepping l.,
looking back r., wielding thunderbolt, cloak fastened on l. shoulder and flying r. from
lowered l. arm. Mint State........................................................................................450
232.
Orbiana
; Rome, c. 226 AD, Denarius, 3.61g. BM-287, C-3 (20 Fr.), RIC-321. Obv:
SALL BARBIA - ORBIANAAVG Bust draped r. wearing stephane. Rx: CONCORDI
- A - AVGG Concordia seated l. holding patera and double cornucopia. Toned VF+ /
aEF..............................................................................................................................400
233.
Maximinus I Thrax
; 235-238 AD, Rome, 235 AD, Denarius, 2.81g. BM-11 (first
portrait), C-46, Eauze Hoard-604 (27 spec.), RIC-1. Obv: Second portrait. Rx: P M
TR P - P P Emperor, laureate and in military dress, standing l. between two standards,
raising r. hand and holding spear. EF.........................................................................95
234.
Balbinus
; 238 AD, Rome, Antoninianus, 5.76g. BM-74, C-17 (10 Fr.), RIC-
12. Obv: IMP CAES D CAEL BALBINVS AVG Bust radiate, draped, cuirassed r.,
seen from front. Rx: Two clasped right hands, legend PIETAS MVTVA AVGG, “The
mutual piety of the two emperors”. Ex CNG 90, 23 May 2012, lot 1653. This is a very
desirable coin, not only for the fact that it is mint state but due to the immense size of
the planchet. Mint State............................................................................................1500
235.
Paulina, Diva
; Rome, Denarius, 3.01g. BM-127, RIC-2, C-2 (50 Fr.). Obv: DIVA
PAVLINA Bust draped, veiled r. Rx: CONSECRATIO Paulina, veiled, seated l. on
