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Orbis Collectibles

Serdika, Septimius Severus, 5 unit — Emperor in military attire riding right on horseback (CN type 674)

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

Obverse: Laureate bust of Septimius Severus, right, wearing cuirass and paludamentum. Legend: ΑV Κ Λ ϹΕΠ ϹΕVΗΡΟϹ Π. Reverse: Emperor (Septimius Severus) in military attire riding right on horseback, holding sceptre in right hand. Legend: ΗΓЄ ϹΤΑ ΒΑΡΒΑΡΟV ϹЄΡ. Measured specimens give a mean weight of 16.02 g (mean of 2 recorded specimens) and a diameter of 32 mm (from 1 recorded specimen). Published references cited by the corpus: Ruzicka, Die Münzen von Serdica 8, Vienna 1915, p. 14, nr. 30, annot. Ruzickas Angabe \"r. vorne Krieger, das Pferd haltend.\" ist offenbar falsch. Auf der im Anhang abgebildeten Münze ist kein Krieger zu sehen.; Mušmov, Monetitě i monetarnicitě na Serdika: Izd. Bulg. Archeol. Inst., Sofija 1926, p. 58, nr. 32; Hristova, Monetosečeneto na Trakija I-III v.: Serdika = The coins of Thrace I-III c. A.C.: Serdica, Blagoevgrad 2007, p. 38, nr. 12.14.34.4-6; Varbanov, Greek Imperial Coins and their Values III Band 3, Thrace (from Perinthus to Trajanopolis), 2007, p. 225, nr. 1939-1940, annot. Wohl eher Zepter als Speer.

Evidence at a glance

Linked sources
6
Photograph views
1
Catalogue references
4

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

Historical context

Septimius Severus reigned as Roman emperor from 193 to 211, emerging victorious from the Year of the Five Emperors after deposing Didius Julianus and overcoming rivals Pescennius Niger and Clodius Albinus. He campaigned extensively on the empire's frontiers, including operations in the east against the Parthian Empire, where he sacked Ctesiphon in 197, and later in Africa and Britain. In 198, he proclaimed his elder son Caracalla co-emperor. This bronze issue was struck under Severus at the historical Roman city of Serdica in Thrace between 196 and 198.

Physical characteristics

Material
bronze
Denomination
5 unit
Recorded diameter
32 mm (from 1 recorded specimens)
Recorded mean weight
16.02 g (mean of 2 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
Emperor (Septimius Severus) in military attire riding right on horseback, holding sceptre in right hand.
Obverse legend
ΑV Κ Λ ϹΕΠ ϹΕVΗΡΟϹ Π
Reverse legend
ΗΓЄ ϹΤΑ ΒΑΡΒΑΡΟV ϹЄΡ

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/674
Type corpus identifier
CN type 674

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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