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Orbis Collectibles

Perinthos, Severus Alexander, Medallion — Zeus enthroned (CN type 3143)

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 3143 (period: Roman Imperial Period; issuing authority type: city).

Obverse: Laureate and bearded bust of Severus Alexander, right, wearing cuirass, gorgoneion on breastplate and aegis over left shoulder. Legend: ΑVΤ Κ Μ ΑVΡ ϹΕV ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡΟϹ ΑVΓ. Reverse: Zeus enthroned, holding patera and sceptre; at his feet, eagle; to upper left, Helios in quadriga right, above, crescent; to upper right, Selene in biga of bulls left, above, star; below, reclining figure of Gaia right, holding cornucopia and branch, and of Thalassa reclining left, wearing a crab claws, holding ruder; at her feet, prora; all within zodiacus. Legend: ΠΕΡΙΝΘΙWΝ Β ΝΕWΚΟΡWΝ ΙWΝWΝ.

Measured specimens give a mean weight of 37.25 g (from 1 recorded specimen) and a diameter of 40–41 mm (from 1 recorded specimen). Published references cited by the corpus: Schönert, Die Münzprägung von Perinthos, Berlin 1965, p. 242, nr. 788; Varbanov, Greek Imperial Coins and their Values III Band 3, Thrace (from Perinthus to Trajanopolis), 2007, p. 65, nr. 476.

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

Perinthus was a flourishing city of ancient Thrace on the Propontis, situated on a small peninsula 90 kilometres west of Byzantium. This bronze medallion was struck there during the reign of Marcus Aurelius Severus Alexander, who served as Roman emperor from 222 to 235 AD. Succeeded at thirteen following the death of his cousin Elagabalus, Severus Alexander was the last emperor of the Severan dynasty.

Physical characteristics

Material
bronze
Denomination
Medallion
Recorded diameter
40–41 mm (from 1 recorded specimens)
Recorded mean weight
37.25 g (mean of 1 recorded specimens)

Technical characteristics

Mint
Perinthos
Region
Thrace
Authority type
City
Issuing authority
Severus Alexander

Design

Obverse type
Laureate and bearded bust of Severus Alexander, right, wearing cuirass, gorgoneion on breastplate and aegis over left shoulder.
Reverse type
Zeus enthroned, holding patera and sceptre; at his feet, eagle; to upper left, Helios in quadriga right, above, crescent; to upper right, Selene in biga of bulls left, above, star; below, reclining figure of Gaia right, holding cornucopia and branch, and of Thalassa reclining left, wearing a crab claws, holding ruder; at her feet, prora ; all within zodiacus.
Obverse legend
ΑVΤ Κ Μ ΑVΡ ϹΕV 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/3143
Type corpus identifier
CN type 3143

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

Research required

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