Emperors of Rome - A (Chronological) Portrait Gallery

[DonnaML]

The only one I have of this failed foursome is an inexpensive Clodius Albinus, from his days as Caesar. For whatever reason, he seems to be the easiest of the group to find at a reasonable price. This one has a decent portrait and his name is legible, which are always the two most important factors for me in deciding on a coin like this.

Clodius Albinus Caesar, AR Denarius 194 AD, Rome Mint. Obv. Bare head right, D CLOD SEPT ALBIN CAES / Rev. Minerva, helmeted, standing left, holding olive branch and spear, and resting hand upon shield to right, MINER PACIF COS II. RIC IV-1 7, RSC III 48, Sear RCV II 6144, BMCRE V 98. 17 mm., 2.72 g.

 

 

Edited February 2, 2023 by DonnaML

[Jims,Coins]

Silver coin (AR Denarius) minted at Rome for CLODIUS ALBINUS, as Caesar, in 194 A.D. Obv. D.CL.SEPT.ALBIN.CAES.: bare hd. r. Rev. ROMAE.AETERNAE.: Roma std. l., on a shield, holding palladium and sceptre. RCS #1730. RSCIII #61 pg.16. RICIV #11 pg.45. DVM #23. RCSVII #6146.

[Roman Collector]

I will contribute the women in Didius Julianus' family:

Manlia Scantilla, wife of Didius Julianus, Augusta, AD 193.
Roman Æ Sestertius; 28.8 mm, 22.62 g, 12 h.
Rome mint, AD 193.
Obv: MANLIA•SCAN-TILLA•AVG, draped bust right.
Rev: IVNO REGINA SC, Juno standing left, holding patera and scepter; to left, peacock at feet, standing left, head turned up.
Refs: RIC 18a; BMCRE 32-36; Cohen 6; RCV 6083; Woodward, Didius, dies 6/-; Banti 2.


Didia Clara, daughter of Didius Julianus and Manlia Scantilla, Augusta, AD 193.
Roman Æ Sestertius, 21.16 g, 30.5 mm, 6 h.
Rome, AD 193.
Obv: DIDIA CLARA AVG, bare-headed and draped bust right.
Rev: HILARITAS SC, Hilaritas standing, head left, holding palm branch and cornucopiae.
Refs: RIC 20; BMCRE 38-41; RCV 6087.
Notes: obverse die 3, reverse die H, Woodward, "The Coinage of Didius Julianus and His Family." Num Chron. 121:71, 1961. Reverse die-match to BMC 40 and BMC 41 in the British Museum collection.

 

 

 

[Octavius]

 Of these four emperors, this portrait of Coldius Albinus is my favorite, because it is the ONLY one of the four I have....

[mc9]

Here is my set of 4  coins ,  Claudius Albinus with a nice portrait.

Pertinax: RIC IV nr.1 p.71

Didius Julianus : RIC IV nr.1 p.15

Pescennius Niger : RIC IV nr.47 p.30

Claudius Albinus : RIC IV nr.7 p.45

 

[shanxi]

Pertinax

Pertinax
AR Denarius, AD 193
Obv.: IMP CAES P HELV [PERTIN] AVG, laureate head right
Rev.: VOT DECEN TR P COS II, Pertinax, togate and veiled, sacrificing left from patera over altar.
Ag, 3.04g, 16x18mm
Ref.: BMCRE 24, Cohen 56, RIC 13a

Edited February 2, 2023 by shanxi

[shanxi]

Pescennius Niger

 

Pescennius Niger
AR-Denarius
Obv.: [IMP C]AES C PESC NIGER IVST A[V], Laureate head right
Rev.: SAECVLI FELICTAS Crescent and stars
Ag, 2.76g, 17.2mm
Ref.: RSC63a, RIC 73 var. (obv. legend)
Ex Henri Delgers Old Roman Coins

[Spaniard]

PescenniusNiger. AD 193-194. AR Denarius. Antioch mint.
Obverse..IMP CAES C PESC NIGER IVST AVG, Laureate head right.
Reverse...FORTVNAE REDVCI, Fortuna standing left, holding rudder and cornucopiae. RIC IV 26d.

[Ancient Coin Hunter]

Nice examples folks. I realize I have no Niger, Pertinax, DJ, or Albinus.  193 is a major hole in the collection year (needs to be remedied). That said, Severus was able to isolate and defeat these rival claimants in the name of avenging Pertinax. He eventually overwhelmed Niger's forces, used perfidy to buy off Albinus and his powerful legions while he did so, and crushed DJ after marching on Rome.

Edited February 2, 2023 by Ancient Coin Hunter
added some history

[Qcumbor]

Only two of them here, Pertinax and Clodius Albinus. Still looking for decent examples of the two other dudes

Pertinax, Denarius - Rome mint, 193 CE
IMP CAES P HELV PERTIN AVG, laureate head right
VOT DECEN TR P COS II, emperor sacrificing left, with patera held over tripod altar
2.98 gr, 17 mm
Ref : RIC # 13a, Cohen # 56, RCV # 6048
Ex Harlan J. Berk

 

Clodius Albinus, Denarius - Rome mint, 194 CE
CLOD SEPT ALBIN CAES, bare head of Clodius Albinus right
MINER PACIF COS II, Minerva standing left, holding spear and olive branch, leaning on shield
3,36 gr
Ref : Cohen #48, RCV #6144

Q

[Limes]

I currently own 2/4. The Pescennius Niger came cheap and is ugly. I really like it, and I can imagine the chaotic scenes involved in striking the coins during this period in time. The other one is an issue of Clodius Albinus as Augustus.

I'm still contemplating Pertinax and Didius Julianus. I had a coin of the first, but I sold it, feeling unhappy about it. I prefer a Pertinax and a Didius Julianus with strong portraits because that's basically the only interesting aspect about them, but the prices are too high and I find other coins more interesting. The reason to have these 2 (4 in total) is to simply complete the set, not that I find the coins interesting on their own merit. So it may take a while to add these two to the collection. Then again, when a possibility occurs, I think I will use it. Or not. I don't know. I still don't know... sigh... 

[Julius Germanicus]

My Sestertius gallery:

IMP CAES P HELV PERTINAX AVG - laureate Head of Pertinax right

PROVIDENTIAE DEORUM COS II S C - Providentia standing left, holding up right hand to large star, left hand on breast

Sestertius, Rome, 1.January - 28.March 193 

29,90 mm / 21,06 gr / 12 h

Woodward (“The Coinage of Pertinax”, Numismatic Chronicle 1957, pl. XII, 1 (same dies, obv. 11/rev. I.D, citing specimen in Paris); RIC 22; BMCRE 28-30 and pl. 2, 3; Cohen 52; Cayon (Los Sestercios del Imperio Romano) 17; Sear RCV 6055; Banti (I Grandi Bronzi Imperiali) 20 (13 specimens)  

IMP CAES M DID SEVER IVLIAN AVG - Laureate of Didius Julianus right

RECTOR ORBIS S C - Didius Julianus, bareheaded and togate, standing facing, looking left, holding globe on extended right hand and scroll at his side in left

Sestertius, Rome 28.03.-01.06.193 AD

26,73 mm / 17,93 gr / 6 h

Woodward ("The Coinage of Didius Julianus and his family", in Num.Chron. 1961) obverse die 16 and reverse die F; RIC 16; BMCRE 28 and pl. 4,3; Hunter 10; Cayon 5; Cohen 17; Sear RCV II 6077; Banti 6 (55 specimens)

MANLIA SCANTILLA AVG - Bust right, wearing paludamentum

IVNO REGINA S C - Iuno, holding long sceptre, facing and turned left, showing patera, at feet peacock standing left

Sestertius, Rome April or May 193 AD

29,96 mm / 20.87gr / 12h

Woodward (“The Coinage of Didius Julianus and his Family,” in Num. Chron. 1961), obv. die 1/rev. die G; RIC (Didius Julianus) 18a and pl. IV, 1 (same obv. die) = BMCRE (Didius Julianus) 32 and pl. 4, 4; Cayon 2; Cohen 6; Sear RCV II  6083; Banti 2 (61 specimens)

DIDIA CLARA AVG - draped bust of Didia Clara right, her hair waved in ridges with large bun behind  

HILAR TEMPOR S C - Hilaritas standing left, holding in right hand a long palm branch which rests on ground, and in left a cornucopiae at her side

Sestertius, Rome April or May 193 AD

28,36 mm / 17,79 gr / 12 h

Woodward (“The Coinage of Didius Julianus and his Family,” in Num. Chron. 1961), pp. 85-6, 89-90 and plate X, obv. die 1/rev. die O; RIC (Didius Julianus) 20 and pl. 4, 2 (same obverse die); BMCRE (Didius Julianus) 38 and pl. 4, 6 (same reverse die); Hunter III, p. 6, 2 and pl. 2; Cohen 4; Cayón, pp. 403-4, 1; Sear RCV II 6087; Banti 1 (39 specimens)

D CLOD SEPT ALBIN CAES - bare head of Clodius Albinus right

MINER PACIF COS II S C - Minerva standing left, holding olive-branch in extended right hand and resting left on shield at her side, spear propped against left arm 

Sestertius, Rome, 194 AD

29,19 mm / 21,56 gr / 12 h

Hill (The Coinage of Septimius Severus and his Family of the Mint of Rome, A.D. 193-217) 120; RIC 54(a); BMCRE 535 and pl. 23, 4; Cohen 49; Sear II 6151, Banti 18 (42 specimens)

Edited February 3, 2023 by Julius Germanicus

[Ancient Coin Hunter]

9 minutes ago, Julius Germanicus said:

My Sestertius gallery:

IMP CAES P HELV PERTINAX AVG - laureate Head of Pertinax right

PROVIDENTIAE DEORUM COS II S C - Providentia standing left, holding up right hand to large star, left hand on breast

Sestertius, Rome, 1.January - 28.March 193 

29,90 mm / 21,06 gr / 12 h

 

Woodward (“The Coinage of Pertinax”, Numismatic Chronicle 1957, pl. XII, 1 (same dies, obv. 11/rev. I.D, citing specimen in Paris); RIC 22; BMCRE 28-30 and pl. 2, 3; Cohen 52; Cayon (Los Sestercios del Imperio Romano) 17; Sear RCV 6055; Banti (I Grandi Bronzi Imperiali) 20 (13 specimens)  

IMP CAES M DID SEVER IVLIAN AVG - Laureate of Didius Julianus right

RECTOR ORBIS S C - Didius Julianus, bareheaded and togate, standing facing, looking left, holding globe on extended right hand and scroll at his side in left

Sestertius, Rome 28.03.-01.06.193

26,73 mm / 17,93 gr / 6 h

Woodward ("The Coinage of Didius Julianus and his family", in Num.Chron. 1961) obverse die 16 and reverse die F; RIC 16; BMCRE 28 and pl. 4,3; Hunter 10; Cayon 5; Cohen 17; Sear RCV II 6077; Banti 6 (55 specimens)

MANLIA SCANTILLA AVG - Bust right, wearing paludamentum

IVNO REGINA S C - Iuno, holding long sceptre, facing and turned left, showing patera, at feet peacock standing left

Sestertius, Rome April or May 193 AD

29,96 mm / 20.87gr / 12h

Woodward (“The Coinage of Didius Julianus and his Family,” in Num. Chron. 1961), obv. die 1/rev. die G; RIC (Didius Julianus) 18a and pl. IV, 1 (same obv. die) = BMCRE (Didius Julianus) 32 and pl. 4, 4; Cayon 2; Cohen 6; Sear RCV II  6083; Banti 2 (61 specimens)

DIDIA CLARA AVG - draped bust of Didia Clara right, her hair waved in ridges with large bun behind  

HILAR TEMPOR S C - Hilaritas standing left, holding in right hand a long palm branch which rests on ground, and in left a cornucopiae at her side

Sestertius, Rome April or May 193 AD

28,36 mm / 17,79 gr / 12 h

Woodward (“The Coinage of Didius Julianus and his Family,” in Num. Chron. 1961), pp. 85-6, 89-90 and plate X, obv. die 1/rev. die O; RIC (Didius Julianus) 20 and pl. 4, 2 (same obverse die); BMCRE (Didius Julianus) 38 and pl. 4, 6 (same reverse die); Hunter III, p. 6, 2 and pl. 2; Cohen 4; Cayón, pp. 403-4, 1; Sear RCV II 6087; Banti 1 (39 specimens)

D CLOD SEPT ALBIN CAES - bare head of Clodius Albinus right

MINER PACIF COS II S C - Minerva standing left, holding olive-branch in extended right hand and resting left on shield at her side, spear propped against left arm 

Sestertius, Rome, 194 AD

29,19 mm / 21,56 gr / 12 h

Hill (The Coinage of Septimius Severus and his Family of the Mint of Rome, A.D. 193-217) 120; RIC 54(a); BMCRE 535 and pl. 23, 4; Cohen 49; Sear II 6151, Banti 18 (42 specimens)

That Albinus is superb, slightly worn but incredibly lifelike portrait.

[shanxi]

 Clodius Albinus

Clodius Albinus (195-197)
Denar
Obv.: [D CL SEPT] ALBIN CAES/ bust right
Rev.: ROMAE AETERNAE / Roma seated left on shield, holding palladium and sceptre
Ag, 2.8g, 15mm
Ref.: RIC 11, C 61, BMC 43

[shanxi]

Didia Clara

Didia Clara
AR-Denar, Rome Mint
Obv.: DIDIA CLARA AVG, Draped bust right.
Rev.: HILAR TEMPOR, Hilaritas standing left, holding cornucopia and palm frond.
Ag, 2.66g, 18.5 mm
Ref.: RIC IV, 10, CRE 295 [R]

[CPK]

Very impressive showing of these rare portrait coins! Thank you!

One of the claimants to the throne after the death of Pertinax was a military man named Septimius Severus.

Born in provincial Africa, Severus rose through the civic and military ranks, eventually becoming governor of Pannonia Superior. When Pertinax was murdered in A.D. 193, Severus was declared Emperor by his soldiers. He moved swiftly towards Rome which, after the death of the then-reigning Emperor Didius Julianus, he was able to occupy without a struggle.

Septimius Severus was a strong military man, and while he brought some level of peace and stability to the Empire, he did so at a significant cost. The overtly military nature of Severus' ascension to power destroyed for good the thin veneer of Republican sensibilities which had been carefully maintained (with a few interruptions!) since the time of Augustus and exemplified in the recent reigns of Antoninus Pius and Marcus Aurelius.

Severus also significantly debased the official coinage, bringing the silver content of the denarius from about 80% all the way down to 54%. This radical debasement was done in order to pay the large armies which had brought him, and which kept him, in power. This rapid debasement put a heavy strain on the Roman economy.

Septimius Severus also established a hereditary dynasty which (more or less) ruled the Roman Empire for the next 42 years. Unfortunately most of his dynastic successors were disastrous as Emperors, causing further problems for the Empire.  

Severus died while on campaign in Britannia and was jointly succeeded by his two sons, Antonius (better known by his nickname Caracalla) and Geta.

Due to the length of his reign, and the vast quantities of debased coinage struck to pay his huge armies, coins of Severus are very plentiful and are some of the least expensive Roman coins you can buy (especially for denarii.) Please post your favorite portrait coins of this formidable Emperor!

 

Edited February 4, 2023 by CPK

[Severus Alexander]

Very tough to pick!  I'm gonna line 'em up by mint and metal first, and then see what I think:

Best Rome mint denarii (2 for Sep Sev, one early, one late):

Best Rome mint AE (both Asses):

Best Alexandria:

Best other Eastern(? or unofficial?) for Sep Sev:

And finally, best provincial:

Sep Sev, Perinthos:

JD, Thessalonica:

Overall?  Man, it's a hard decision.  Since I'm a fan of life-like portraits I guess I have to go for the British victory As for Septimius, but I love the others too. Second place maybe to the odd eastern or unofficial(?) Spes with the messed up legends, and honourable mentions to the two denarii from Rome.

For JD, I gotta go with the Thessalonica provincial, with its great face and odd but delightful depiction of her torso. Second place to the Alexandria denarius, and honourable mention to the Rome denarius with its snide expression.

I look forward to the next couple of days' posts!

Edited February 4, 2023 by Severus Alexander

[Roman Collector]

Dig the pointy beard on this denarius!

Septimius Severus, AD 193-211.
Roman AR Denarius, 3.26 g, 19.7mm, 1 h.
Rome, AD 202.
Obv: SEVERVS PIVS AVG, laureate head, right.
Rev: PART MAX PM TRP X COS III PP, trophy, with captives seated left and right at base.
Refs: RIC 185; BMCRE 385-87; Cohen 375; RCV 6323; Hill 550.

And my favorite Julia Domna, not because of the portrait, but the reverse design. What's cooler than a quadriga of lions?

Julia Domna, AD 193-217.
Roman AR denarius, 3.30 g, 19 mm, 6 h.
Rome, 21st emission, AD 205.
Obv: IVLIA AVGVSTA, bare-headed and draped bust, right.
Rev: MATER AVGG, Julia Domna, as Cybele, seated left in quadriga of lions and holding branch in her right hand.
Refs: RIC 562; BMCRE 48; Cohen/RSC 117; RCV 6592; Hill 759; CRE 354.

[mc9]

This one has a fork under his chin:

SEVERVS PIVS AVG, rev. PART MAX P M TR P VIIII

captives seated either side of trophy base

RIC 176

Julia Domna :

IVLIA - AVGVSTA

PIETAS - PVBLICA

RIC 643

[shanxi]

Septimius Severus

Septimius Severus AD 193-211
Syria, Laodicea ad Mare
Billon tetradrachm AD 209.211
Obv.: AYT KAI CEOVHPOC CE, Laureate and draped bust
Rev.: ΔHMAPX EΞ YΠATOC TO Γ, Eagle standing facing, wings spread, holding wreath, star below.
Billon, 13.86g, 28x25.2mm
Ref.: Prieur 1163 (same dies)

[Limes]

I think these are the best portraits I have. I posted the Domna also in the other topic, by the way.  

 

[Prieure de Sion]

Septimius Severus - thats hard to find only one personal favorite. This emperor has a few of fantastic impressive portraits at his coins. In my view one of the most interesting Roman emperor faces on coins. Here the artists have, in my view, revived a small phase of high art.

 

Here are a few portraits from Rome, which I like very much. The portraits of Severus are mostly very detailed and very expressive in every detail.

Lucius Septimius Severus Pertinax

Denarius of the Roman Imperial Period 208 AD; Material: Silver; Diameter: 18.7mm; Weight: 4.01g; Mint: Rom; Reference: RIC IV Septimius Severus 219; Obverse: You can see the right-facing bust of Septimius Severus with a laurel wreath. The inscription reads: SEVERVS PIVS AVG for Severus Pius Augustus; Reverse: A genius (of the emperor) is shown standing left, offering a sacrifice with a patera (libation bowl) in his right hand and a double cornucopiae in his left hand. The inscription reads: P M TR P XVI COS III P P for Pontifex Maximus Tribunitia Potestas (for the sixteenth time) Consul (for the third time) Pater Patriae.

 

Lucius Septimius Severus Pertinax

Denarius of the Roman Imperial Period 209 AD; Material: Silver; Diameter: 21mm; Weight: 3.39g; Mint: Rom; Reference: RIC IV Septimius Severus 230; Obverse: You can see the right-facing bust of Septimius Severus with a laurel wreath. The inscription reads: SEVERVS PIVS AVG for Severus Pius Augustus; Reverse: The personification of Salus is seated on a throne facing left while feeding a snake in her arms. The inscription reads: P M TR P XVII COS III P P for Pontifex Maximus Tribunitia Potestas (for the seventeenth time) Consul (for the third time) Pater Patriae.

 

 

 

A very interesting area are the eastern silver coinages from Laodicea and Emesa, which have their very own portait style.

 

Lucius Septimius Severus Pertinax

Denarius of the Roman Imperial Period 198/202 AD; Material: Silver; Diameter: 18mm; Weight: 3.14g; Mint: Laodicea ad Mare, Syria; Reference: RIC IV Septimius Severus 500; Provenance: Roma Numismatic London, Ex Roma Collection; Obverse: You can see the right-facing bust of Septimius Severus with a laurel wreath. The inscription reads: L SEPT SEV AVG IMP XI PART MAX for Lucius Septimius Severus Augustus Imperator (for the eleventh time) Parthicus Maximus; Reverse: You can see the personification of Aequitas standing to the left with a scale in the right hand and cornucopia in the left hand. The inscription reads: AEQVITATI AVGG for Aequitati Augustorum (Equality and Justice of Emperors).

 

 

Lucius Septimius Severus Pertinax

Denarius of the Roman Imperial Period 198/202 AD; Material: Silver; Diameter: 19mm; Weight: 3.37g; Mint: Laodicea ad Mare, Syria; Reference: RIC IV Septimius Severus 511a; Provenance: Aureo & Calico Barcelona; Obverse: You can see the right-facing bust of Septimius Severus with a laurel wreath. The inscription reads: L SEPT SEV AVG IMP XI PART MAX for Lucius Septimius Severus Augustus Imperator (for the eleventh time) Parthicus Maximus; Reverse: You can see the personification of Fides standing to the left, holding a fruit basket in the outstretched right hand and ears of corn in the left hand. The inscription reads: P MAX TR P VIII COS II P P for Pontifex Maximus Tribunitia Potestas (for the eighth time) Consul (for the second time) Pater Patriae.‎

 

 

Lucius Septimius Severus Pertinax

Denarius of the Roman Imperial Period 198/202 AD; Material: Silver; Diameter: 19mm; Weight: 3.11g; Mint: Laodicea ad Mare, Syria; Reference: RIC IV Septimius Severus 504; Obverse: You can see the right-facing bust of Septimius Severus with a laurel wreath. The inscription reads: L SEPT SEV AVG IMP XI PART MAX for Lucius Septimius Severus Augustus Imperator (for the eleventh time) Parthicus Maximus; Reverse: You can see the winged personification of Victoria walking to the left, holding out her right hand and holding a victor’s wreath. The inscription reads: COS III P P for Consul (for the third time) Pater Patriae.

 

 

Lucius Septimius Severus Pertinax

Denarius of the Roman Imperial Period 194/195 AD; Material: Silver; Diameter: 18mm; Weight: 2.73g; Mint: Emesa, Syria; Reference: RIC IV Septimius Severus 389; Provenance: Roma Numismatic London; Obverse: You can see the right-facing bust of Septimius Severus with a laurel wreath. The inscription reads: IMP CAE L SEP SEV PERT AVG COS II for Imperator Caesar Lucius Septimius Severus Pertinax Augustus Consul (for the second time); Reverse: You can see a tropaeum placed in the middle with armor, a helmet, shields and spears. On the ground around the tropaeum are more weapons, shields and helmets. The inscription reads INVICTO IMP for Invicto Imperator (Invincible Emperor).

 

 

And dont forget the Tetradrachms from the east.

 

Lucius Septimius Severus Pertinax

Tetradrachm of the Roman Imperial Period 209/210 AD; Material: Silver; Diameter: 27mm; Weight: 12.60g; Mint: Laodicea ad Mare, Syria Phoenice; Reference: Prieur 1163 (38 ex); Obverse: Draped bust of Septimius Severus with laurel wreath to the right. Inscription: ΑΥΤ · ΚΑΙ · CЄOYHΡOC · CЄ for Autokrator Kaisar Sevros Sebastos (Imperator Caesar Severus Augustus); Reverse: Eagle standing facing, head and tail left, with wings spread, holding wreath in beak. Star between legs. Inscription: ΔΗΜΑΡX · ЄΞ · ΥΠΑΤΟC · ΤΟ · Γ for Demarchos Exousias Upatos to Gamma (Tribunicians authority, Consul for the third time).

 

 

 

From Julia Donna I have only one example that really impress me with the portrait - an older proud empress with an expressive portrait.

 

Iulia Domna

Antoninianus of the Roman Imperial Period 215 AD; Material: Silver; Diameter: 21mm; Weight: 5.81g; Mint: Rome; Reference: RIC IV Caracalla 379a; Obverse: You can see the right-facing draped bust of Iulia Domna with Stephane (wreath or crown) and crescent moon. The inscription reads: IVLIA PIA FELIX AVG for Iulia Pia Felix Augusta; Reverse: You can see the goddess Luna driving to the left in a horse biga with a flowing cloak. The inscription reads: LVNA LVCIFERA for Luna Lucifera.

 

 

 

 

 

Edited February 4, 2023 by Prieure de Sion

[Spaniard]

My favourite Imperial Septimius Severus coin is this recent addition of a legionary Denarius. The portrait is nice for this type and I love the depiction of the legionary eagle..My birth sign is capricorn and a little bonus are the two little Capricorns at the base of each standard.

Septimius Severus. 193-211 AD. AR Denarius (3.26 gm, 18mm). Rome mint. Struck 193 AD.
Obv.: IMP CAEL SEP SEV PERT AVG, laureate head right.
Rev.: LEG XIIII GEM M V / TR P COS, legionary eagle between two standards. RIC 14; RSC 272; BMCRE 19. VF

My favourite provincial is this temple reverse from Pontos...Nice and big in hand with a sweet dark green patina.

Pontos, Neokaisareia. Septimius Severus. 193-211 AD. AE 29mm (14.60 gm). Dated CY 142 (205/6 AD).
Obv.: laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust right.
Rev.: Cult image of uncertain deity on tall base within tetrastyle temple; pellet in pediment. RG 147 var. (rev. legend); SNG Hunterian 1154 (same obv. die); SNG von Aulock 100 (same obv. die). VF.

This coin of Domna has always been a favourite showing imo just how beautiful a lady she was...

Julia Domna. Augusta, AD 193-217. AR Denarius (3,84g). Rome mint.

Struck under Septimius Severus, circa AD 200-207.

Obverse.JVLIA AVGVSTA Draped bust right

Reverse.PIETAS AVGG Pietas standing left, holding acerrum (incence box) and dropping incense onto lighted and garlanded altar to left.

RIC IV 572 (Septimius); RSC 150.

[Prieure de Sion]

Oh, I completely forgot about Septimius Severus - one of my favourite coins - and not only because of the portrait. I think you can see the emperor's age a bit, compared to previous portraits. It also seems to be rather schematic - no longer quite so vivid. Rather something deified.

 

 

Lucius Septimius Severus Pertinax

Denarius of the Roman Imperial Period 211 AD; Material: Silver; Diameter: 18mm; Weight: 3.39g; Mint: Rom; Reference: RIC IV Caracalla 191c; Obverse: The right bust of Septimius Severus can be seen. The inscription reads: DIVO SEVERO PIO for Divo Severo Pio (the deified Severus, the pious); Reverse: An eagle is shown seated on a globe, its head turned to the left. The inscription reads: CONSECRATIO for Consecratio (public act of consecration).

 

 

[mc9]

My favorite hairstyle from Julia Domna :

IVLIA PIA FELIX AVG :  diademed and draped bust right, set on crescent

VENVS GENETRIX :  Venus seated left on throne, holding sceptre and apple; at feet to left, Cupid standing right, with hands raised.

Rome, AD 215-217, RIC IV 389a

 

My favorite Septimus Severus Sestertius :

L SEPT SEVE - RUS PIUS AVG

P M TR P XVIII COS III PP // SC

Rome, A.D. 210, RIC IVa 798 p. 200