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Orbis Collectibles

Serdika, Septimius Severus, 5 unit — Tetrastyle temple on crepidoma (CN type 499)

DocumentedSupported by at least one credible specialist source.

Record status

Individual type · research required

Period

AD 196–198

Issuing entity

Thrace

5 unit in bronze struck at Serdika in Thrace under Septimius Severus, dated AD 196–198. Corpus Nummorum, the online type corpus of the Berlin-Brandenburg Academy of Sciences and Humanities, records it as CN type 499 (period: Roman Imperial Period; issuing authority type: city).

Obverse: Laureate bust of Septimius Severus, right, wearing cuirass and paludamentum. Legend: ΑV Κ Λ ϹΕΠΤΙ ϹΕVΗΡΟϹ Π. Reverse: Tetrastyle temple on crepidoma; within Asclepius standing facing, holding serpent-staff; on the pediment, shield. Legend: ΗΓΜ ϹΤΑ ΒΑΡΒΑΡΟV ϹΕΡΔΩΝ. Measured specimens give a mean weight of 14.04 g (mean of 3 recorded specimens) and a diameter of 28–29 mm (from 2 recorded specimens). Published references cited by the corpus: Ruzicka, Die Münzen von Serdica 8, Vienna 1915, p. 36, nr. 15; Hristova, Monetosečeneto na Trakija I-III v.: Serdika = The coins of Thrace I-III c. A.C.: Serdica, Blagoevgrad 2007, p. 40, nr. 12.14.46.1-2; Varbanov, Greek Imperial Coins and their Values III Band 3, Thrace (from Perinthus to Trajanopolis), 2007, p. 222, nr. 1947.

Evidence at a glance

Linked sources
5
Photograph views
1
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

Lucius Septimius Severus served as Roman emperor from 193 to 211, securing supreme authority after the death of Pertinax during the Year of the Five Emperors. Between 194 and 197, Severus defeated rival contenders Pescennius Niger and Clodius Albinus, consolidating his rule across the provinces before campaigning in the east against the Parthian Empire. This bronze coin was struck during his reign between AD 196 and 198 at Serdica (or Sardica), a historical Roman city situated in Thrace at present-day Sofia, Bulgaria.

Physical characteristics

Material
bronze
Denomination
5 unit
Recorded diameter
28–29 mm (from 2 recorded specimens)
Recorded mean weight
14.04 g (mean of 3 recorded specimens)

Technical characteristics

Mint
Serdika
Region
Thrace
Authority type
City
Issuing authority
Septimius Severus

Design

Obverse type
Laureate bust of Septimius Severus, right, wearing cuirass and paludamentum.
Reverse type
Tetrastyle temple on crepidoma; within Asclepius standing facing, holding serpent-staff; on the pediment, shield.
Obverse legend
ΑV Κ Λ ϹΕΠΤΙ ϹΕVΗΡΟϹ Π
Reverse legend
ΗΓΜ ϹΤΑ ΒΑΡΒΑΡΟV ϹΕΡΔΩΝ

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/499
Type corpus identifier
CN type 499

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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