Type 08: Similar, but Eros Leaning on a Pillar

This well-known reverse type, struck in Nicopolis ad Istrum in Moesia and Philippopolis in Thracia, is similar to the last one, though slightly scarcer: Eros, legs crossed, is resting one hand or arm on a pillar, stele or similar object and with the other hand allowing a torch to hang downwards.

* Nicopolis ad Istrum in Moesia, coins of Septimius Severus, with Eros either to r. or to l. and several variant busts and reverse legends, and of Caracalla Caesar (Eros to l.) and Caracalla as Augustus (Eros to r.).

Æ 16, 2.1 g. Obv. ΑΥ KAI… CΕΥΗΡ. Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust of Septimius Severus r. Rev. ΝΙΚΟΠΟΛ… ΠΡΟC Ι. Standard type to r. (Private collection, photos by permission).

Æ 18, 2.85 g. Obv. ΑΥ KAIC CΕΥΗΡOC. Laureate head of Septimius Severus r. Rev. ΝΙΚΟΠΟΛITΩΝ ΠΡΟ… Standard type to r. (Photos courtesy of Lübke & Wiedemann KG).  

  
Æ 17, 2 h, 2.62 g. Similar.

Æ 18, 1 h, 2.32 g. Obv. ΑΥ KA… CΕΥΗΡOC. Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust of Septimius Severus r. Rev. ΝΙΚΟΠΟΛITΩN ΠΡΟC Ι. Standard type to l. Reverse die identical with that of the coin of Caracalla Caesar below?

Æ 16, 7 h, 2.63 g. Obv. … CΕΥΗΡOC. Laureate head of Septimius Severus r. Rev. ...ΛITΩN ΠΡΟC ΙCTPO. Standard type to l.

 

Æ 17, 7 h, 3.29 g. Obv. Μ ΑΥΡ ΑΝΤΩΝΙΝ. Draped (and cuirassed?), bare-headed bust of Caracalla Caesar r. Rev. ΝΙΚΟΠΟΛITΩN ΠΡΟC Ι. Standard type to l. Reverse die identical with that of the coin of Severus above?

Æ 15, 7 h, 3.04 g. Obv. ΑΥ K M A ΑΝΤΩΝΙΝ. Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust of Caracalla r. Rev. ΝΙΚΟΠΟΛITΩN ΠΡΟC Ι. Standard type to r.

* Philippopolis in Thracia, coins of Commodus, Septimius Severus and Caracalla Caesar, all with Eros to l.

Æ 17, 7 h, 3.84 g. Obv. AV ΚAI Μ ΑΥ ΚΟΜΟΔΟC. Laureate bust of Commodus r. Rev. ΦΙΛΙ… ΠΟΛΕΙΤΩ, Ν in exergue. Standard type to l., but with a striking error.

Æ 19, 5.31 g. Obv. ΑΥ • K • Λ • C • CΕΥΗΡOC • Π. Laureate head of Septimius Severus r. Rev. ΦΙΛΙΠΠΟΠΟΛΕΙΤΩΝ. Standard type to l. (Private collection, photos by permission).

Æ 18, 8 h, 2.47 g. Similar, but with different obv. legend (…• CE CE…), and on the rev. Eros’s right wing is swept back behind and above his head.

Æ 19, 1 h, 4.88 g. Obv. …. [ANT]ΩΝEΙΝOC. Draped, bare-headed bust of Caracalla Caesar r. Rev. Φ[ΙΛ]ΙΠΠΟΠΟΛΕΙΤΩΝ. Standard type to l. (Private collection, photos by permission).

Æ 19, 7 h, 3.80 g. Similar, but Obv. AY K ANTΩΝ[EΙΝOC]. 

Æ 18, 1 h, 5.18 g. Similar, but Obv.  M • ΑΥ • KAIC • ANTΩΝEΙΝOC and draped, bare-headed bust r. 

Æ 17, 7 h, 2.68 g. Similar, but very worn. 










CATALOGUE

Nicopolis ad Istrum / Septimius Severus (type to r.)
Reference: Hristova/Jekov 8.14.16.9
Rarity: Scarce 

Nicopolis ad Istrum / Septimius Severus (type to l.)
Reference: Hristova/Jekov 8.14.16.7
Rarity: Very common

Nicopolis ad Istrum / Caracalla Caesar (type to l.)

Previously unpublished?
Rarity: RR

Nicopolis ad Istrum / Caracalla (type to r.)
Previously unpublished?
Rarity: RRR

Philippopolis / Commodus
Reference: RPC IV, 1, 7572*
Rarity: R

Philippopolis / Septimius Severus
Previously unpublished?
Rarity: RR

Philippopolis / Caracalla Caesar
References: Varbanov 1558, 1560
Rarity: Common