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Orbis Collectibles

Olbia, Severus Alexander, bronze coin — Tyche standing left (CN type 23801)

DocumentedSupported by at least one credible specialist source.

Record status

Individual type · research required

Period

AD 222–235

Issuing entity

Roman Empire

Coin in bronze struck at Olbia 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 23801 (period: Roman Imperial Period; issuing authority type: city).

Obverse: Draped bust of Julia Mamaea, right. Legend: ΙΟVΛΙΑ ΜΑΜЄΑ. Reverse: Tyche standing left, wearing kalathos, holding rudder and cornucopia. Legend: ΟΛΒΙΟΠΟΛΙΤWΝ. Measured specimens give a mean weight of 4.64 g (mean of 2 recorded specimens) and a diameter of 20–21 mm (from 2 recorded specimens). Published references cited by the corpus: Anochin, Antičnye monety Severnogo Pričernomor‘ja, Kiev 2011, nr. 567; Abramzon and Frolova, Sylloge Nummorum Graecorum. Russland. Staatliches Historisches Museum Moskau. Münzen des nördlichen Schwarzmeergebietes, Berlin-Boston 2019, nr. 2986-2990; Anochin, Monety antičnych gorodov Severo-Zapadnogo Pričernomor'ja, Kiev 1989, nr. 397; Linked type corpus.

Evidence at a glance

Linked sources
5
Photograph views
1
Catalogue references
4

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 governed the Roman Empire between 222 and 235 AD, having ascended the throne at the age of 13 as the final ruler of the Severan dynasty. Throughout his reign, his mother, the Syrian noblewoman Julia Avita Mamaea, remained one of his most prominent advisers. Their rule concluded in March 235 when both were assassinated by rebellious soldiers. Provincial centres such as Olbia issued local civic bronze coinage bearing her image and name during this period.

Physical characteristics

Material
bronze
Recorded diameter
20–21 mm (from 2 recorded specimens)
Recorded mean weight
4.64 g (mean of 2 recorded specimens)

Technical characteristics

Mint
Olbia
Authority type
City
Issuing authority
Severus Alexander

Design

Obverse type
Draped bust of Julia Mamaea, right.
Reverse type
Tyche standing left, wearing kalathos, holding rudder and cornucopia.
Obverse legend
ΙΟVΛΙΑ ΜΑΜЄΑ
Reverse legend
ΟΛΒΙΟΠΟΛΙΤWΝ

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/23801
Type corpus identifier
CN type 23801

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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