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Orbis Collectibles

Abydos, Severus Alexander, bronze coin — Nude Poseidon standing right (CN type 3501)

DocumentedSupported by at least one credible specialist source.

Record status

Individual type · research required

Period

AD 222–235

Issuing entity

Troas

Coin in bronze struck at Abydos in Troas 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 3501 (period: Roman Imperial Period; issuing authority type: city).

Obverse: Laureate bust of Severus Alexander, right, wearing cuirass and paludamentum. Border of dots. Legend: ΑV ΚΑ Μ ΑVΡ ϹЄΟVΗ ΑΛЄΞΑΝΔΡΟϹ. Reverse: Nude Poseidon standing right, left foot on rock, right arm resting on trident and holding dolphin in left. Ground line. Border of dots. Legend: ЄΠ ΑΡ ΑV ΠΡΟΚΛΟV ΑΒV. Measured specimens give a mean weight of 8.06 g (from 1 recorded specimen) and a diameter of 23 mm (from 1 recorded specimen).

Published references cited by the corpus: Calomino, RPC VI: Roman Provincial Coinage. Vol. VI: From Elagabalus to Maximinus Thrax (AD 218–238). online, nr. 3930; Babelon, La collection Waddington au Cabinet des médailles. Inventaire sommaire 1, p. 330, nr. 1078; Linked type corpus, RPC VI, 3930.

Evidence at a glance

Linked sources
4
Photograph views
2
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 served as Roman emperor from 222 until 235 AD, standing as the youngest sole ruler of the united Roman Empire and the last emperor of the Severan dynasty. His reign concluded in 235 AD following his assassination alongside his mother Julia Avita Mamaea. This coin was struck under his imperial rule at Abydos, an ancient settlement founded around 670 BC at the narrowest point of the Hellespont.

Physical characteristics

Material
bronze
Recorded diameter
23 mm (from 1 recorded specimens)
Recorded mean weight
8.06 g (mean of 1 recorded specimens)

Technical characteristics

Mint
Abydos
Region
Troas
Authority type
City
Issuing authority
Severus Alexander

Design

Obverse type
Laureate bust of Severus Alexander, right, wearing cuirass and paludamentum. Border of dots.
Reverse type
Nude Poseidon standing right, left foot on rock, right arm resting on trident and holding dolphin in left. Ground line. Border of dots.
Obverse legend
ΑV ΚΑ Μ ΑVΡ ϹЄΟVΗ ΑΛЄΞΑΝΔΡΟϹ
Reverse legend
ЄΠ ΑΡ ΑV ΠΡΟΚΛΟV ΑΒV

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. 1 closely related CN type with the same mint, denomination and design is consolidated into this entry and listed under varieties.
Type corpus record
https://www.corpus-nummorum.eu/types/3501
Type corpus identifier
CN type 3501

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

Varieties

  • CN type 3502

    Same mint, denomination and design (obverse legend ΑV Κ Μ ΑV С ΑΛЄΞΑΝΔΡΟС; reverse legend ΑΒVΔΗΝΩΝ); dated AD 222–235. Consolidated into this entry

Research required

  • Photograph reuse terms to be confirmed with the holding institution
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