Imitations of coins of Geta are distinctly scarcer than imitations of Severus, Caracalla, or Julia Domna, but probably in proportion to the abundance of their official coins.

  AE17-16 (small), 12:00. 2.21 grams.

Cast. Like most casts, it is slightly smaller than its prototype. Although clearly cast from an official original, the edge shows no obvious seam. Black, with no signs of silver. One point on the edge shows copper color (not visible on the scan).
L SEPTIMIVS - GETA CAES, bare head right, draped and cuirtassed bust, seen slightly from the rear
    /[SEVERI PII] AVG FIL, priestly implements
This is an imitation of Geta's first issue which was struck with the praenomen "Lucius" (note the "L"). His name was soon changed to "Publius" and a great majority of his coins have his initial "P" (e.g. the next coin).
    For the change from "L" to "P", see the Celator, "Coinage of Geta exhibits varied portraiture," March 1997, pp.40-41
Prototype: Sear --, RIC Geta 3 "S" page 314. Struck 198-200. Hill 377, "199".

Base 19-18 mm. 12:00. 3.07 grams.                                                                          Its prototype. (with tarnish in the legends)
Cast, with a very visible casting seam all around. Perfect style because it is cast from an official original. Gray metal.
P SEPT GETA - CAES PONT, bare head right, draped and cuirassed bust, seen slightly from the rear
    /PRINC IVVENTVTIS, Geta standing left, holding branch and vertical sceptre, with trophy behind him to the right
Prototype:  Sear 1918. RIC 18, page 316.  BMC 234-239, page 198.

   16 mm. 2.77 grams. 6:00.  
P SEPT GETA CAES PONT, bare headed, draped, cuirassed bust right
    IVNO FELIC, female standing left holding caduceus on long staff, with left hand on hip
    prototype:  This reverse legend is not in RIC for anyone. The obverse legend belongs to 199-204.

  AE17. 6:30. 2.46 grams.

Another base metal cast of /PRINC IVVENTVTIS. The signs of the edge seam are much less pronounced, and could easily escape detection. The metal gives it away.

  17-16 mm. 6:30. 2.54 grams.

Plated fourree in odd style. This is supposed to be the same type as the previous coins, but it is not cast and the engraver did not reproduce official style. The hairdo is large, the figure of Geta standing is crude, and the "trophy" looks more like a giant plant with branches poking up from it..
P SEPT GETA - CAES PONT, bare head right, draped and cuirassed bust, seen slightly from the rear, corrosion has removed some letters
    /PRINC IV[VENTVTIS]
Prototype:  RSC 157 (with photo), Sear 2018.

 18-16mm. 6:00.

Fine style. Unusually ragged edge. Signs of casting.
P SEPT GETA CAES [PONT] draped, cuirassed, bust right, bare headed
    SECVRIT IMPERII, Securitas seated left on high-backed chair, holding patera(?) and resting left arm on arm of chair.
Prototype Ref:  Sear 2020. RIC Geta 20, plate 14.4, page 316.

Return to the Severan Table of Contents page.

Return to the main Table of Contents page on Roman imitations.