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Orbis Collectibles

Abydos, Severus Alexander, bronze coin — Façade of an octastyle temple on crepidoma (CN type 3503)

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 3503 (period: Roman Imperial Period; issuing authority type: city).

Obverse: Laureate bust of Severus Alexander, right, wearing cuirass and paludamentum. Border of dots. Legend: ΑV Κ Μ ΑV Ϲ ΑΛЄΞΑΝΔΡΟϹ. Reverse: Façade of an octastyle temple on crepidoma; within, cult statue of Artemis. Border of dots. Legend: ΑΒVΔΗΝΩΝ. Measured specimens give a mean weight of 9.06 g (from 1 recorded specimen) and a diameter of 25 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. 3922; Linked type corpus, RPC VI, 3922.

Evidence at a glance

Linked sources
3
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

Marcus Aurelius Severus Alexander was Roman emperor from 222 until 235 AD, becoming at the age of 13 the youngest sole emperor of the united Roman Empire and the last from the Severan dynasty. His thirteen-year reign proved prosperous in times of peace, though he faced threats from the Sassanid Empire and Germanic tribes before being assassinated in March 235 AD. This bronze coin was issued under his rule by the city of Abydos, an ancient settlement founded around 670 BC on the Asian coast of the Hellespont.

Physical characteristics

Material
bronze
Recorded diameter
25 mm (from 1 recorded specimens)
Recorded mean weight
9.06 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
Façade of an octastyle temple on crepidoma; within, cult statue of Artemis. Border of dots.
Obverse legend
ΑV Κ Μ ΑV Ϲ ΑΛЄΞΑΝΔΡΟϹ
Reverse legend
ΑΒVΔΗΝΩΝ

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/3503
Type corpus identifier
CN type 3503

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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