Elagabalus (AD 218-222)
   22 mm. 6:30. 4.45 grams.
The antoninianus, characterized (for men) by the radiate crown, was first issued in AD 215 by Caracalla. it was, of course, counterfeited almost immediately (see Caracalla), although not as frequently as the denarius.
IMP CAES ANTONINVS AVG
    /IOVI CONSERVATORI, Jupiter standing left with thundrbolt and sceptre, two standards in ground to right.
References:   A hybrid. The obverse legend is in BMC as AD 219 only. The reverse is of the following issue, Elagabal, BMC 138, p. 550, plate 87.18 (219-220).  Also, page 447, "unusual coins" (a) "false" has this reverse but a Caracalla obverse. The reverse type exists for Caracalla as an ant, RIC 301, p. 258.

  22 mm. 6:00. 4.34 grams.
Excellent portrait and lettering on obverse/reverse silvering mostly gone.
    Another one of the same type!
IMP CAES ANTONINVS AVG/radiate, draped, cuirassed bust right
    /IOVI CONSERVATORI, Jupiter standing left holding thunderbolt, eagle at feet, two standards to right.
A hybrid with prototypes BMC 138 for the reverse, but with an obverse legend from the following period: IMP ANTONINVS AVG. See plate 87.18.  Also, RIC 90 for the reverse.

  19 mm. 5:30. 1.89 grams (light).
A base denarius in good style, but no trace of silvering.
IMP ANTONINVS PIVS AVG
    /VICTORIA AVG, Victory advancing left, two shields at feet, holding wreath in both hands.
Prototype:  Sear 2133. RIC 161, page 38.  BMC 235, page 565 (2.99 grams), plate 90.11, "undated, 220-222"
 

Julia Maesa (sister of Julia Domna and grandmother of Elagabalus and Severus Alexander)
   18 mm. 6:30. 2.44 grams
Black and light, of perfect official style. Is must be a cast, but the edges don't show a seam.
IVLIA MAESA AVG
    /IVNO,  Juno standing left holding patera and sceptre, with small peacok at feet
Sear 2081. RIC 256 (under Elagabalus, page 49). BMC (Elag) 68 (has no peacock) plate 68.5 "218-222".

Julia Paula (Married Elagabalus in 219, was divorced the next year)
  19 mm. 6:00. 1.96 grams
Plated mule.
IVLIA PAVLA AVG
    /VE[ST]A, Vesta standing left holing palladium and sceptre
This type does not exist officially for Julia Paula. BMC p.555 has a special note, maked "||" that one is in the "Ratto collection, #3650, plated" and the type is not in the BM. The obverse is as BMC 177, p. 555, plate 88.15.
The reverse type is of Julia Domna (under Caracalla, #29, plate 68.7, page 435, "211-217".  Hill dates it to 213, #1340.

Return to the Severan page.

Return to the main page on ancient Roman imitations.