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Orbis Collectibles

Serdika, Septimius Severus, 5 unit — Heracles with Telephos (CN type 676)

DocumentedSupported by at least one credible specialist source.

Record status

Individual type · research required

Period

AD 198

Issuing entity

Thrace

5 unit in bronze struck at Serdika in Thrace under Septimius Severus, dated AD 198. Corpus Nummorum, the online type corpus of the Berlin-Brandenburg Academy of Sciences and Humanities, records it as CN type 676 (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. Reverse: Heracles with Telephos; Heracles standing right, holding club in right hand; on his left arm Telephos; at his feet, stag. Legend: ΗΓΕ ΚΑΙΚΙ ΛΑΡΓΟV ΟVΛΠ ϹΕΡΔΙΚΗϹ. Measured specimens give a mean weight of 13.54 g (from 1 recorded specimen). Published references cited by the corpus: Ruzicka, Die Münzen von Serdica 8, Vienna 1915, p. 15, nr. 37; Hristova, Monetosečeneto na Trakija I-III v.: Serdika = The coins of Thrace I-III c. A.C.: Serdica, Blagoevgrad 2007, p. 34, nr. 12.14.14.1.

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

Lucius Septimius Severus ruled as Roman emperor from 193 to 211, securing supreme authority after the death of Pertinax and the ensuing civil conflicts of the Year of the Five Emperors. Following victories over rival claimants, he consolidated power across the empire and embarked on eastern campaigns that included the sack of Ctesiphon in 197. In 198, he proclaimed his elder son, Caracalla, as Augustus. This bronze coinage was produced during that period at Serdica, an ancient Roman city located at modern Sofia, Bulgaria.

Physical characteristics

Material
bronze
Denomination
5 unit
Recorded mean weight
13.54 g (mean of 1 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
Heracles with Telephos; Heracles standing right, holding club in right hand; on his left arm Telephos; at his feet, stag.
Obverse legend
ΑV Κ Λ ϹΕΠΤΙ ϹΕVΗΡΟϹ
Reverse legend
ΗΓΕ ΚΑΙΚΙ ΛΑΡΓΟV ΟVΛΠ ϹΕΡΔΙΚΗϹ

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/676
Type corpus identifier
CN type 676

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

  • Diameter not recorded in the source corpus
  • Photograph reuse terms to be confirmed with the holding institution
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