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Orbis Collectibles

Perinthos, Severus Alexander, Medallion — Ariadne (CN type 3133)

DocumentedSupported by at least one credible specialist source.

Record status

Individual type · research required

Period

AD 222–235

Issuing entity

Thrace

Medallion in bronze struck at Perinthos 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 3133 (period: Roman Imperial Period; issuing authority type: city).

Obverse: Laureate bust of Severus Alexander, right, wearing cuirass and aegis; gorgoneion on breastplate; paludamentum on left shoulder. Legend: ΑV Κ Μ ΑVΡ ϹΕVΗ ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡΟϹ ΑVΓ. Reverse: Ariadne, Dionysus, Sileni, Pan and Silenus; In the front Ariadne lying left on a rock, sleeping; at her feet dog lying left; in the middle Dionysus standing facing, wearing ivy wreath and nebris over shoulder, holding thyrsus in right hand, left hand over the shoulder of a Silenus, showing Ariadne; to right a second Silenus with hide over shoulder; to left of Dionysus horned Pan, holding a pedum in left hand and right hand on the shoulder of a Silenus to left, standing right, resting both hands on a stick. Legend: ΠΕΡΙΝΘΙWΝ Β ΝΕWΚΟΡWΝ ΙWΝWΝ.

Measured specimens give a mean weight of 28.6 g (mean of 2 recorded specimens) and a diameter of 38–42 mm (from 3 recorded specimens). Published references cited by the corpus: Schönert, Die Münzprägung von Perinthos, Berlin 1965, p. 240, nr. 779, pl. 48; Varbanov, Greek Imperial Coins and their Values III Band 3, Thrace (from Perinthus to Trajanopolis), 2007, p. 62, nr. 456.

Evidence at a glance

Linked sources
4
Photograph views
1
Catalogue references
2

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

Historical context

Perinthos, also known as Perinthus, was a great and flourishing city of ancient Thrace situated on the Propontis. This civic medallion was produced during the Roman Imperial Period under Severus Alexander, also known as Marcus Aurelius Severus Alexander, who reigned as Roman emperor from 222 until 235. He had become emperor at age 13 following the death of his cousin Elagabalus, ruling as the final emperor of the Severan dynasty.

Physical characteristics

Material
bronze
Denomination
Medallion
Recorded diameter
38–42 mm (from 3 recorded specimens)
Recorded mean weight
28.6 g (mean of 2 recorded specimens)

Technical characteristics

Mint
Perinthos
Region
Thrace
Authority type
City
Issuing authority
Severus Alexander

Design

Obverse type
Laureate bust of Severus Alexander, right, wearing cuirass and aegis; gorgoneion on breastplate; paludamentum on left shoulder.
Reverse type
Ariadne, Dionysus, Sileni, Pan and Silenus; In the front Ariadne lying left on a rock, sleeping; at her feet dog lying left; in the middle Dionysus standing facing, wearing ivy wreath and nebris over shoulder, holding thyrsus in right hand, left hand over the shoulder of a Silenus, showing Ariadne; to right a second Silenus with hide over shoulder; to left of Dionysus horned Pan, holding a pedum in left hand and right hand on the shoulder of a Silenus to left, standing right, resting both hands on a stick.
Obverse legend
ΑV Κ Μ ΑVΡ ϹΕVΗ ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡΟϹ ΑVΓ
Reverse legend
ΠΕΡΙΝΘΙWΝ Β ΝΕWΚΟΡWΝ ΙWΝWΝ

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/3133
Type corpus identifier
CN type 3133

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

Varieties

  • Perinthos, Severus Alexander, Medallion (CN type 3131)

    Near-identical catalogue variant (same obverse and reverse legends, type and denomination, differing only in minor marks or bust detail); consolidated into this entry.

Research required

  • Photograph reuse terms to be confirmed with the holding institution
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