Byzantion, Severus Alexander, 4 unit — Athena standing left (CN type 12863)
Record status
Individual type · research required
Period
AD 222–235
Issuing entity
Thrace4 unit in bronze struck at Byzantion in Thrace under Severus Alexander, dated AD 222–235. Corpus Nummorum, the online type corpus of the Berlin-Brandenburg Academy of Sciences and Humanities, records it as CN type 12863 (period: Roman Imperial Period; issuing authority type: city).
Obverse: Laureate bust of Severus Alexander, right, wearing paludamentum. Legend: ΑΛΕΖΑΝΔΡΟᛈ ΑVΓ. Reverse: Athena standing left; holding patera and spear; at her feet, shield. Legend: ΒΥΖΑΝ-ΤΙΩΝ. Measured specimens give a mean weight of 6.74 g (from 1 recorded specimen) and a diameter of 23 mm (from 1 recorded specimen). Published references cited by the corpus: Schönert-Geiß, Die Münzprägung von Byzantion. Kaiserzeit, Berlin 1972, nr. 1584-1586.
Evidence at a glance
- Linked sources
- 3
- Photograph views
- 1
- Catalogue references
- 1
Counts describe this entry’s documentation, not authenticity, rarity or completeness. Photographs may show one specimen; check each caption and licence.
Historical context
This civic bronze 4-unit coin was produced in Byzantion in Thrace during the reign of Severus Alexander, who ruled from 222 to 235 as the final emperor of the Severan dynasty. Ancient Byzantion had originally been colonised by Greeks from Megara in the 7th century BC. Severus Alexander succeeded his slain cousin Elagabalus at the age of thirteen, presiding over a thirteen-year reign until his assassination in March 235 precipitated the Crisis of the Third Century.
Physical characteristics
- Material
- bronze
- Denomination
- 4 unit
- Recorded diameter
- 23 mm (from 1 recorded specimens)
- Recorded mean weight
- 6.74 g (mean of 1 recorded specimens)
Technical characteristics
- Mint
- Byzantion
- Region
- Thrace
- Authority type
- City
- Issuing authority
- Severus Alexander
Design
- Obverse type
- Laureate bust of Severus Alexander, right, wearing paludamentum.
- Reverse type
- Athena standing left; holding patera and spear; at her feet, shield.
- Obverse legend
- ΑΛΕΖΑΝΔΡΟᛈ ΑVΓ
- Reverse legend
- ΒΥΖΑΝ-ΤΙΩΝ
Identification
- Period
- Roman Imperial Period
- How to identify
- Check the mint name or ethnic, the reverse type and the legend together, then compare weight and module; types from the same mint often differ only in legend arrangement, magistrate names or control marks.
- Type corpus record
- https://www.corpus-nummorum.eu/types/12863
- Type corpus identifier
- CN type 12863
Documentation checklist
- Denomination
- Recorded
- Issue or mint date
- Recorded
- Material
- Recorded
- Weight
- Recorded
- Mint or printer
- Recorded
- Mint or printer mark
- Research required
- Catalogue reference
- Recorded
- Attached photograph (check rights)
- Recorded
Recorded means a field is present, not independently verified. Read its wording, supporting source and the entry’s confidence level.
Catalogue references
- Corpus Nummorum bibliographynr. 1584-1586
Research required
- Photograph reuse terms to be confirmed with the holding institution