Aigeai (AD 222-235) AE 38 - Severus Alexander

Severus Alexander, 222-235 AD. AE38 (21.13g). AVT K AÎ›Ð„ÎžANÎ”PON APX MÐ„ OIK ACKÎ›H, laureate and draped bust right, holding serpent-entwined staff of Asklepios in left hand, right arm at chest / AÎ›Ð„ÎžANÎ”PVÎ OÎ›IC AÎ”PIANH / AIÎ“AIWN, eagle standing front on thunderbolt, head right, wreath in beak, between legs, goat. Very rare. Brown Patina and VF.

There has been much discussion about this fascinating obverse type. While Imhoof-Blumer read the legend as "Imperator Caesar Alexander, dedicator of the rebuilt temple of Asclepius," while Eduardo Levante suggested an alternative reading as "on behalf of the pontifex maximus of the Empire," meaning the greatest high priest of the world. For a longer discussion, see CNG 94 (2013), 899 (same obverse die): http://cngcoins.com/Coin.aspx?CoinID=240194

File information
Filename:	924848l.jpg
City/Mint name:	Aigeai
Keywords:	roman / bronze
References:	SNG Levante 1773 (this coin); Winterthur 4545 (same dies); SNG France 2366 (same dies)
Valuation:	Auctiones eAuc. 19 (10/2013), lot 47 (CHF 480 + comm)
Photo courtesy of:	Auctiones GmbH - www.auctiones.ch
Filesize:	422 KiB
Date added:	Jul 01, 2014
Dimensions:	889 x 450 pixels
Displayed:	253 times
URL:	http://www.asiaminorcoins.com/gallery/displayimage.php?pid=11645
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