Elagabalus (AD 218-222)
22 mm. 6:00. 5.67 grams.
A remarkable imitation antoninianus. Most "limes" imitations
of the Severans are of denarii.
IMP CAES M AVR ANTONINVS AVG
FIDES EXERCITVS, Fides seated left, hoing eagle with standard behind
her held in left hand and a second standard in front.
Sear 2.7487 prototype. RIC 70, "Scarce", page 33
22 mm. 6:30. 4.45 grams.
The antoninianus, characterized (for men) by the radiate crown, was
first issued in AD 215 by Caracalla. it was, of course, counterfeited
almost
immediately (see Caracalla),
although not as
frequently as the denarius.
IMP CAES ANTONINVS AVG
/IOVI CONSERVATORI, Jupiter standing
left with thundrbolt
and sceptre, two standards in ground to right.
References: A hybrid. The obverse legend is in BMC
as AD
219 only. The reverse is of the following issue, Elagabal, BMC 138, p.
550, plate 87.18 (219-220). Also, page 447, "unusual coins"
(a) "false"
has this reverse but a Caracalla obverse. The reverse type exists for
Caracalla
as an ant, RIC 301, p. 258.
22 mm. 6:00. 4.34 grams.
Excellent portrait and lettering on obverse/reverse silvering mostly
gone.
Another one of the same type!
IMP CAES ANTONINVS AVG/radiate, draped, cuirassed bust right
/IOVI CONSERVATORI, Jupiter standing
left holding
thunderbolt, eagle at feet, two standards to right.
A hybrid with prototypes BMC 138 for the reverse, but with an obverse
legend from the following period: IMP ANTONINVS AVG. See plate
87.18.
Also, RIC 90 for the reverse.
19 mm. 5:30. 1.89 grams (light).
A base denarius in good style, but no trace of silvering.
IMP ANTONINVS PIVS AVG
/VICTORIA AVG, Victory advancing left,
two shields
at feet, holding wreath in both hands.
Prototype: Sear 2133. RIC 161, page 38. BMC 235,
page 565
(2.99 grams), plate 90.11, "undated, 220-222."
base 18 mm. 6:00. 3.34 grams.
Elagabalus, IMP ANTONINVS AVG
ANNONA AVGVSTI, Annona standing left
Some adhesions on the reverse. Excellent style, presumably a cast.
Prototype Sear 2.7503 (no photo there).
Julia
Maesa (sister
of Julia Domna and grandmother of Elagabalus and Severus Alexander)
18 mm. 6:30. 2.44 grams.
Black and light, of perfect official
style. Is
must be a cast, but the edges don't show a seam.
IVLIA MAESA AVG
/IVNO, Juno standing
left holding patera and sceptre, with small peacok at feet
Sear 2081. RIC 256 (under
Elagabalus, page 49).
BMC (Elag) 68 (has no peacock) plate 68.5 "218-222".
Julia
Paula (Married
Elagabalus in 219, was divorced the next year)
19 mm. 6:00. 1.96 grams.
Plated mule.
IVLIA PAVLA AVG
/VE[ST]A, Vesta standing left holding
palladium and
sceptre
This type does not exist officially for Julia Paula. BMC p.555 has
a special note, maked "||" that one is in the "Ratto collection, #3650,
plated" and the type is not in the BMC. The obverse is as BMC 177, p.
555,
plate 88.15.
The reverse type is of Julia Domna (under Caracalla, #29, plate 68.7,
page 435, "211-217". Hill dates it to 213, #1340.
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