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Orbis Collectibles

Apollonia ad Rhyndacum, Severus Alexander, bronze coin — Apollo and Artemis (CN type 18171)

DocumentedSupported by at least one credible specialist source.

Record status

Individual type · research required

Period

AD 222–235

Issuing entity

Mysia

Coin in bronze struck at Apollonia ad Rhyndacum in Mysia 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 18171 (period: Roman Imperial Period; issuing authority type: city).

Obverse: laureate, draped and cuirassed bust of Severus Alexander, r. Legend: Μ ΑVΡ ᛈΕVΗ ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡΟᛈ ΑVΓ. Reverse: Apollo and Artemis; to l. Apollo drawing arrow from quiver at shoulder, holding chlamys and bow; to r., Artemis standing, l., having quiver at shoulder, crowning Apollo, holding bow; to l., tripod entwined by serpent. Legend: ΑΠΟΛΛΩΝΙΑΤΩΝ ΠΡΟᛈ ΤΩ ΡVΝΔΑΚΩ. Measured specimens give a mean weight of 39.81 g (from 1 recorded specimen) and a diameter of 40 mm (from 1 recorded specimen).

Published references cited by the corpus: Fritze et al., Die antiken Münzen Mysiens. 1: Adramytion - Kisthene, Berlin 1913, p. 94, nr. 296; Calomino, RPC VI: Roman Provincial Coinage. Vol. VI: From Elagabalus to Maximinus Thrax (AD 218–238). online, nr. 4164; Linked type corpus.

Evidence at a glance

Linked sources
4
Photograph views
1
Catalogue references
3

Counts describe this entry’s documentation, not authenticity, rarity or completeness. Photographs may show one specimen; check each caption and licence.

Historical context

Marcus Aurelius Severus Alexander, the final emperor of the Severan dynasty, ruled the Roman Empire from 222 until 235 AD after succeeding his cousin Elagabalus. His thirteen-year reign brought internal prosperity, although his administration confronted external threats from both the Sassanid Empire and Germanic tribes before his assassination in 235 AD. This civic bronze issue was struck under his authority at Apollonia ad Rhyndacum, an ancient town situated opposite the delta of the Rhyndacus river in northwestern Anatolia within the region of Mysia.

Physical characteristics

Material
bronze
Recorded diameter
40 mm (from 1 recorded specimens)
Recorded mean weight
39.81 g (mean of 1 recorded specimens)

Technical characteristics

Mint
Apollonia ad Rhyndacum
Region
Mysia
Authority type
City
Issuing authority
Severus Alexander

Design

Obverse type
laureate, draped and cuirassed bust of Severus Alexander, r.
Reverse type
Apollo and Artemis; to l. Apollo drawing arrow from quiver at shoulder, holding chlamys and bow; to r., Artemis standing, l., having quiver at shoulder, crowning Apollo, holding bow; to l., tripod entwined by serpent.
Obverse legend
Μ ΑVΡ ᛈΕVΗ ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡΟᛈ ΑVΓ
Reverse legend
ΑΠΟΛΛΩΝΙΑΤΩΝ ΠΡΟᛈ ΤΩ ΡVΝΔΑΚΩ

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/18171
Type corpus identifier
CN type 18171

Documentation checklist

Denomination
Research required
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

Research required

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