Emperors of Rome - A (Chronological) Portrait Gallery

[John Conduitt]

Septimius Severus Denarius, 210-211

Rome. Silver, 2.21g. Head with laurel wreath from right; SEVERVS PIVS AVG BRIT. Victory with palm branch and wreath from right; VICTORIAE BRIT (Victory in Britain) (RIC IV, 332).

I only have one Julia Domna, and it isn't flattering.

Julia Domna Denarius, 196-202

Laodicea ad Mare, Syria. Silver, 16mm, 2.15g. Bust of Julia Domna, hair waved and coiled at back, draped, right; IVLIA AVGVSTA. Juno, veiled, draped, standing left, holding patera in extended right hand and sceptre in left hand; at feet, left, peacock; IVNO REGINA (RIC IV, 640). Found Hertfordshire.

[Edessa]

Septimius Severus, AD 193-211. AR Denarius (17mm, 3.10g, 12h). Emesa mint, struck AD 194-195. Obv: IMP CAE L SEP PERT AVG COS II; Laureate head of Septimius Severus right. Rev: INVIC-TO IMP; Trophy with captured arms below. Ref: RIC 389; BMCRE 365; RSC 232.

[Ancient Coin Hunter]

Here's one commemorating his voyage to Britain, hailing Neptune as his protector. Septimius Severus, A.R. Denarius, Rome mint, 210 C.E. 3.3 grams, 19.1 mm Obverse: Laureate head right, SEVERVS PIVS AVG Reverse: PMTRP XVIII COS III PP Neptune standing left, nude but for cloak over left shoulder and right arm, right foot on rock, right arm resting on right knee, trident vertical behind in left hand. (Cited from: https://www.cointalk.com/threads/septimius-severus-roman-emperor-from-africa.387595/)

[ambr0zie]

Favorite Septimius Severus and Julia Domna from my collection 

Septimius Severus AD 193-211. Rome
Denarius AR
17 mm, 2,29 g  
RIC IV Septimius Severus 266 (denarius); RSC 222; BMC 335-8
Date Range: AD 202 - AD 210
SEVERVS PIVS AVG
Head of Septimius Severus, laureate, right
INDVLGENTIA AVGG IN CARTH
Dea Caelestis, draped, riding right on lion, holding thunderbolt in right hand and sceptre in left hand; below, water gushing from rock

 

similar to @Ancient Coin Hunter's coin above

Septimius Severus, AD 193-211. Silver Denarius, Rome mint, 197. Obv.: L SEPT SEV PERT AVG IMP VIIII, laureate head right / Rev.: MVNIFICENTIA AVG, elephant, cuirassed, advancing right. After Septimius defeated Clodius Albinus in the battle of Lugdunum (AD 197) he organized public games in Rome. The reverse of this coin commemorates this event. RIC 100; BMCRE 168; RSC 349

Domna:

This is special for me as it was my first denarius I have seen with an empress portrait 

Julia Domna AR Denarius. Rome Mint 196-211 AD. Obverse: IVLIA AVGVSTA, draped bust right. Reverse: VENVS FELIX, Venus standing facing, head left, holding apple in right hand and drawing drapery from shoulder. RIC IV: 580, RSC III 198 Size: 18mm, 2.63g.

 

 

Julia Domna (wife of S. Severus) AR Denarius. Rome, AD 193-196.
draped bust right
Rev: Venus, seen from behind standing right, leaning on column, half nude with drapery hanging low beneath her posterior, holding palm branch and apple.
RIC IV Septimius Severus 536 (denarius), RSC 194
2.16 g, 17 mm

 

Both:

Moesia Inferior. Marcianopolis. Septimius Severus, with Julia Domna AD 193-211.

Pentassarion Æ

28 mm, 11,42 g

Septimius Severus, with Julia Domna. AD 193-211. Moesia, Marcianopolis.
Flavius Ulpianus, legatus consularis. Struck AD 210-211. Æ Pentassarion .
AV K Λ CEΠ CEYHΡOC IOYΛIA ΔOMNA CEB; Laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust of Septimius Severus and draped bust of Julia Domna facing one another / ΥΦΛ ΟΥΛΠΙΑΝΟΥ ΜΑΡΚΙΑΝΟΠΟΛΙΤΩΝ; Tyche standing left, holding rudder and cornucopia; Є (mark of value) to left. H&J, Marcianopolis 6.15.35.4; AMNG I 601; Varbanov 868; Moushmov 411.

Edited February 4, 2023 by ambr0zie

[Octavius]

 Don't have much to show for this emperor.

Here's a denarius of Septimius and a sestertius of his wife - Julia Pia...

[Spaniard]

@CPK....I assume we're not bringing the kids in until after the parents?🙂

[CPK]

27 minutes ago, Spaniard said:

@CPK....I assume we're not bringing the kids in until after the parents?🙂

Correct, since they became Emperors later they will get their own time slots.

[Coinmaster]

16 hours ago, Roman Collector said:

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

Wow, you'd wonder what's the story behind that. It seems the depiction is that of Cybele. She was the mother of other gods. I think Julia Domna expresses herself with this coin as the mother of emperors (Caracalla and Geta) as Cybele is for gods. You might even say Julia Domna is personalizing or identifying herself as Cybele. Truly a great coin!

For more info about Cybele, see here.

[DonnaML]

Some coins of Septimius Severus with portraits I like; I'll post a few favorite Julia Domnas separately.

Septimius Severus, AR Denarius 198 AD, Laodicea Mint. Obv. Laureate head right, L SEP SEVERVS PER - AVG P M IMP XI/ Rev. Victory advancing left, holding wreath in right hand & palm branch in left, VICT AVG-G COS II P P. RIC IV-1 499, RSC III 695, Sear RCV II 6370. 19.29 mm., 3.15 g.

Septimius Severus, AR Denarius 197 AD, Rome Mint. Obv. Laureate head right, L SEPT SEV PERT AVG IMP VIII / Rev. Elephant advancing right, MVNIFICENTIA AVG. RIC IV-1 82, RSC III 348, Sear RCV II 6317. 18 mm., 3.32 g.

Septimius Severus, AR Denarius 201 AD, Rome Mint. Obv. Laureate head right, SEVERVS - PIVS AVG / Rev. Trophy with two Parthian captives seated at its base, facing outwards, with their hands supporting their heads, PART MAX P M - TR P VIIII. RIC IV-1 176, RSC III 370, Sear RCV (1988 ed.) 1767, BMCRE 356. 19 mm., 3.49 g. (Purchased from Harlan J. Berk, Ltd., 212th Buy or Bid Sale, August 2020, Lot 153; ex Philip Ashton Collection, acquired Jan. 1998). 

Septimius Severus, AR Denarius 203-204 AD, Rome Mint. Obv. Laureate head right, SEVERVS PIVS AVG / Dea Caelestis in headdress riding side-saddle on lion right, facing right and holding thunderbolt & scepter; below, water gushing from rocks left; INDVLGENTIA AVGG; in exergue: IN CARTH [probable reference to water project in Carthage]. RIC IV-1 266, RSC III 222, Sear RCV II 6285. 18x20 mm., 3.9 g.

Septimius Severus, AR Denarius 207 AD, Rome Mint. Obv. Laureate head right, SEVERVS - PIVS AVG / Rev. Africa in elephant-skin headdress standing facing, head right, holding out drapery containing basket of fruit[?], lion crouching to her right at her feet, head left, PM TR P XV CPOS III PP. RIC IV 207, RSC III 493, Sear RCV II 6341. 18.73 mm., 2.95 g.  Purchased from Marc Breitsprecher; ex Madroosi Collection (Joe Blazick).

Septimius Severus, Billon Tetradrachm, AD 209-211, Phoenicia, Tyre. Obv. Laureate head right, AYT KAI CEΠ CEOYHPOC CE / Rev. Eagle standing facing upon club right, with spread wings and head to left, holding wreath in his beak; between legs, murex shell, ΔΗΜΑΡΧ ΕΞ ΥΠΤΟC ΤΟ Γ.  27 mm., 13.83 g, 11 h. Prieur 1533. Purchased from Nomos Obolos Auction 22, 6 March 2022, Lot 576.*

*Obverse die match to example of Prieur 1533 sold at CNG E-Auction 443, Jan. 5, 2019, Lot 422, ex Freeman & Sear FPL [fixed price list] 1, 1994, A261. Reverse of this coin, including dots in legend, is die match to Prieur 1534 [obverse of 1534 differs from 1533 in that bust on 1534 is draped and cuirassed]. This coin is one of only three known examples of Prieur 1533: this coin, the coin sold by CNG in 2019 (ex Freeman & Sear), and Prieur 1533 itself (ex. M&M FPL 250, Dec. 1964/Jan. 1965, # 95).

Divus Septimius Severus, AR Denarius 211 AD, Rome Mint (struck under Caracalla). Obv. Bare head right, DIVO SEVERO PIO / Rev. Eagle standing three-quarters right on globe, head left, with wings spread and tail showing beneath wings to left, CONSECRATIO. RIC IV-1 Caracalla 191C, RSC III Severus 84a, Sear RCV II 7051 (ill. at p. 545). 19 mm., 3.28 g.  

[DonnaML]

16 hours ago, Roman Collector said:

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.

Fantastic! This type is among a few at the very top of my want list for Imperial coins. It would fit in so well with my Roman Republican and other coins with bigas or quadrigas of non-equine animals and mythical creatures! So I check for it in every auction I look through. I haven't seen it yet. True, the last time I looked there was an example on VCoins that's been sitting there unsold for a couple of years in the inventory of a notoriously expensive dealer. But I just can't bring myself to spend $900 on a denarius of Julia Domna. I could buy an Otho for that price!

Edited February 4, 2023 by DonnaML

[kapphnwn]

Septimius Severus Ar Denarius Alexandria 194 AD Obv  Head right laureate Rv Legionary eagle flanked by two military standards Bicford Smith 3  3.06 grms 16 mm Photo by W. Hansen 

The legion honored on this coin is the III Italica. This Legion was formed by Marcus Aurelius and was active along the Danubian frontier. In 193 AD the Legion supported Severus. Its connection to Alexandria is unclear, but at least one source suggests that Severus sent troops to hold the city of Alexandria  in his name.  The troops chosen may be men from that Legion. 

[DonnaML]

One Provincial with conjoined busts of Septimius Severus and Julia Domna, plus my two favorite Imperial portraits of Julia Domna. (I have several other Julia Domnas with portraits that I would not call appealing!)

Septimius Severus and Julia Domna, AE Pentassarion [5 Assaria], AD 209-211, Marcianopolis, Moesia Inferior [now Devnya, Bulgaria], Flavius Ulpianus, Consular Legate for Moesia Inferior from 209-212 (see https://www.wikiwand.com/de/Liste_der_Statthalter_von_Niedermösien ). Obv. Confronted busts of Septimius Severus, laureate, draped, and cuirassed, right, and Julia Domna, draped, left; around, ΑΥ Κ Λ ΣΕΠΤ ΣΕΥΗΡΟΣ ΙΟΥΛΙΑ [ = Imperator Caesar Lucius Septimius Severus Julia]; cont. in exergue in two lines, ΔΟΜΝΑ |  ΣΕΒ [ = Domna Augusta] / Rev. Tyche standing left wearing modius, holding cornucopiae in left arm and rudder with right hand; around, YΦΛ ΟΥΛΠΙΑΝΟΥ MΑΡΚΙΑΝΟΠΟΛΙΤΩΝ [ = Flavius Ulpianou Markianopoleiton]; E [mark of value for “5”] in left field. 28 mm., 10.79 g.  AMNG I/I 601, obv. leg. var. [Pick, Behrendt, Die antiken Münzen von Dacien und Moesien, Die antiken Münzen Nord-Griechenlands Vol. I/I  (Berlin, 1898) at p. 210; available at https://archive.org/details/p1dieantikenmn01akaduoft/page/210/mode/2up?view=theater]; Hristova & Jekov 6.15.35.4 [Nina Hristova & Gospodin Jekov, The Local Coinage of the Roman Empire - Moesia Inferior, I - III c. A.D., MARCIANOPOLIS  (Blagoevgrad, Bulgaria 2006)]; Varbanov (Eng.) Vol. I, 868 [Ivan Varbanov, Greek Imperial Coins And Their Values, Volume I: Dacia, Moesia Superior & Moesia Inferior (English Edition) (Bourgas, Bulgaria, 2005)]. Purchased July 2022 from YOTHR (Yoshua Three Coins), Herrenberg, Germany; ex Gorny & Mosch Giessener Münzhandlung, Online Auction 268, 29.03.2022, Lot 4308; ex Collection of Erwin Link, Stuttgart, Germany.

My two favorite Domna portraits come from the same collection, and the same group lot in a CNG Triton auction a few years back:

Julia Domna, AR Denarius ca. 201 AD, Rome Mint. Obv. Draped bust right, hair waved vertically and fastened in large bun in back, six horizontal ridges, IVLIA AVGVSTA / Rev. Isis, wearing polos on head, draped, standing three-quarters right, head right, holding the nursing infant Horus in left arm against left breast, with her right hand holding a wreath or other ring-shaped object against her chest, her left foot against prow of galley, right, and her left knee bent with Horus resting on it; to left of Isis, rudder rests against altar; SAECVLI FELICITAS.  RIC IV-1 577 (p. 170), RSC III 174 (ill.), Sear RCV II 6606, BMCRE 166. 18x20 mm., 3.35 g., 6 h. Purchased from Sphinx Numismatics; ex CNG Triton XX Auction, Jan. 10, 2017, part of Lot # 614 (consisting of 59 silver denarii of Julia Domna); ex A.K. Collection.

Julia Domna (under Caracalla), AR Denarius ca. 212 AD, Rome Mint. Obv. Draped bust right, hair waved vertically and fastened in large bun in back, six horizontal ridges, IVLIA PIA FELIX AVG / Rev. Cybele, towered, standing half-left, head left, legs crossed, resting left arm on column, holding drum in outstretched right hand and scepter, nearly vertical, in left;  at feet to left, lion, half visible, seated left, MATRI – DEVM. RIC IV-1 382 (p.273), RSC III 137 (ill. p. 56), Sear RCV II 7104 (ill. p. 553), BMCRE V 18 (p. 433). 17x19 mm., 3.54 g., 12 h. Purchased from Sphinx Numismatics; ex CNG Triton XX Auction, Jan. 10, 2017, part of Lot # 614 (consisting of 59 silver denarii of Julia Domna); ex A.K. Collection.

[Ancient Coin Hunter]

2 minutes ago, kapphnwn said:

Septimius Severus Ar Denarius Alexandria 194 AD Obv  Head right laureate Rv Legionary eagle flanked by two military standards Bicford Smith 3  3.06 grms 16 mm Photo by W. Hansen 

The legion honored on this coin is the III Italica. This Legion was formed by Marcus Aurelius and was active along the Danubian frontier. In 193 AD the Legion supported Severus. Its connection to Alexandria is unclear, but at least one source suggests that Severus sent troops to hold the city of Alexandria  in his name.  The troops chosen may be men from that Legion. 

It's unusual for Imperial coins to be issued in Alexandria. Was that an anomaly of this period? Otherwise they were not legal tender in that specific province until the time of Diocletian and buddies...

[DonnaML]

17 minutes ago, Ancient Coin Hunter said:

It's unusual for Imperial coins to be issued in Alexandria. Was that an anomaly of this period? Otherwise they were not legal tender in that specific province until the time of Diocletian and buddies...

It was uncommon for Imperial denarii to be minted in Syria, or anywhere else in the East, before the Greek-language Provincial coinage was discontinued by Diocletian. But I believe there were quite a few of them issued by Septimius Severus. (Before Severus, I believe that Vespasian, and Hadrian at the beginning of his reign -- both of whom had been governors of Syria -- were the only emperors to issue "Eastern" denarii, in Antioch.) As I understand it, Severus issued some Imperial denarii in Alexandria as well as other Eastern mints. @dougsmit, among others, knows a great deal about the Eastern denarii of Septimius Severus.

Edited February 4, 2023 by DonnaML

[Spaniard]

@DonnaML

I really like the Isis reverse!

I remember the ex A.K collection group being sold via vcoins but can't remember who had them? Sphinx had some maybe?

I'm interested in if the sellers photos are reminiscent of the actual coin?

They all seemed to have the same greening in the fields?

[DonnaML]

12 minutes ago, Spaniard said:

@DonnaML

I really like the Isis reverse!

I remember the ex A.K collection group being sold via vcoins but can't remember who had them? Sphinx had some maybe?

I'm interested in if the sellers photos are reminiscent of the actual coin?

They all seemed to have the same greening in the fields?

I bought both of mine from Sphinx. And yes, all those A.K. Collection photos look greenish. Not so in real life! Here's my own photo of the Isis coin:

[Qcumbor]

Septimius Severus : this denarius is the first roman silver coin I ever purchased, back in 1983. I still have some fondness for it

 

I have this one too, which I like a lot since it was a gift from our own Great(ish) @Curtisimo : we don't see you much lately buddy !!! 😞 

 

And here's the wife to pair the husband, with a coin that I bought in 1984

Q

 

[kapphnwn]

In reply to @Ancient Coin Hunter the Roman denarii struck at the mint of Alexandria are likely to be the product of the Roman Civil War fought between Septimius Severus and Pescennius Niger 193-194 AD. However there is some debate on this subject as there are a number of coins minted in the name of other Emperors 

such as Commodus Ar Denarius 192AD? Alexandria Rv Aequitas standing left 3.0 grms 17 mm 

Pertinax Ar Denarius Alexandria 192 AD Rv Ops seated left 1.99 grms 17 mm Photo Courtesy of CNG Triton XXIII Lot 777 It should be noted that about 1/3 of all the denarii known of Pertinax were struck at Alexandria

 

Clodius Albinus Ar Denarius Alexandria 194-195 AD Obv Head right bare Rv Felicitas standing left  2.55 grms 18 mm

And the empress Julia Domna  Ar Denarius Alexandria Mint  198-200 AD Obv Bust right draped Rv Venus standing facing head left holding apple. 3.01 grms 18 mm Photo Courtesy of CNG Triton X Lot 672 January 8 2007

Naturally NONE OF THESE ARE MY COINS The COMMODUS and ALBINUS did belong to me at one time. Except for the Domna and Albinus, I am just a little bit suspicious of the dating of the Commodus and Pertinax. I believe both coins are actually minted after the death of Commodus and the start of the civil war. I suspect that the citizens of Alexandria did not wish to support one claimant over another or they did not wish their support to be known so they elected to strike a "neutral" coinage. This may explain the large number of denarii minted in the name of Pertinax. I hope this clarifies the muddification 

 

[Ancient Coin Hunter]

One of my most recent acquisitions but UNPHOTOGRAPHED until now. 

JULIA DOMNA, 196-202 C.E.

AR denarius, 17mm 2.7 grams, Rome mint

Obverse: IVLIA AVGVSTA, draped bust right

Reverse: SAECVLI FELICITAS; Isis wearing polos, standing right and resting left foot on prow, holding infant Horus at breast with left arm and patera in right, behind - rudder leaning against altar...

Note: fine dark toning on this piece

 

 

Edited February 4, 2023 by Ancient Coin Hunter

[Shea19]

I’ve always really liked the portraits on Septimius’ provincial bronzes…here are some of my favorites:

Septimius Severus, Moesia Inferior, Marcianopolis. AE Pentassarion (27mm, 9.94 g). Struck 201-202 AD. Aurelius Gallus, legatus consularis. Laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust r. / Tyche Soterios (Fortuna Redux) standing l., holding rudder set on ground and cornucopia.
From the Benito Collection

Septimius Severus, Macedon, Stobi, (AE, 25 mm, 9.31 g). IMP CSP SEVERV Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust of Septimius Severus to right./ Rev. MVNICI STOBENS Victory advancing r., holding wreath and palm.; in r. field, pellet-in-crescent

Edited February 5, 2023 by Shea19

[Nerosmyfavorite68]

I do have one of those Alexandrian coins.

[Numisnewbie]

 

I once had the Julia Domna denarius in the bottom picture, sold it, regretted the sale, and then ended up finding the die match to it (top picture) and had to buy it. Now I wish I could find the original denarius and buy it back, too.

 

Here they are, superimposed together in a quick video:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BkMLRD16fsI

 

[shanxi]

Julia Domna

Julia Domna
AR-Denar, Rome Mint
Obv.: IVLIA AVGVSTA, bust right
Rev.: VENVS VICTRIX, Venus, standing left, holding helmet and palm, resting elbow on column, shield at feet.
Ag, 3.22g, 19.5mm
Ref.: RIC IV 581, CRE 402 [S]

[Ancient Coin Hunter]

15 hours ago, Ancient Coin Hunter said:

One of my most recent acquisitions but UNPHOTOGRAPHED until now. 

JULIA DOMNA, 196-202 C.E.

AR denarius, 17mm 2.7 grams, Rome mint

Obverse: IVLIA AVGVSTA, draped bust right

Reverse: SAECVLI FELICITAS; Isis wearing polos, standing right and resting left foot on prow, holding infant Horus at breast with left arm and patera in right, behind - rudder leaning against altar...

Note: fine dark toning on this piece

 

 

I just noticed that Isis is wearing a polo shirt on this type, 🙃

[AncientOne]

I always liked this bust of Septimius.

Pontus, Amasia. Septimius Severus AE28

Obv: AY KAI Λ CEΠT CEOYΡOC ΠEΡ CEB, laureate, draped bust right. Rev: AΔ CEY ANT AMACIAC MHT NE ΠΡ ΠON ET CH, Eagle standing facing, wings spread, on altar of Zeus Stratios with tree at left.