Roman Provincial Coins
| Roman provincial coinage, often referred to as "Greek Imperials," represents the vast array of currency minted by cities and regions across the Roman Empire outside of Rome itself. While the central mint produced standardized gold and silver for the entire empire, hundreds of local civic mints—spanning from Spain to Syria—were permitted to strike their own bronze and occasional silver issues. These coins are a treasure trove for historians because they reflect local identity and civic pride. Unlike the uniform imperial types, provincial issues frequently featured local deities, regional landmarks, and depictions of indigenous festivals or mythologies. They functioned as a bridge between the central Roman authority and diverse local cultures; one side typically displayed the Emperor's portrait, signifying loyalty to Rome, while the reverse celebrated the specific city’s heritage. Because denominations and artistic styles varied wildly between provinces, this series offers a remarkably textured view of the empire's economic and cultural complexity. |
AR Tetradrachm (24mm 15.05g) Struck A.D 69-70 Antioch, Syria
Obv:
Laureate head right
Rev:
Eagle standing left on club, palm to left
RPC 1947
Moesia Inferior Markianopolis AD 218-222
(27mm 11.05g)
Obverse: ΑΥΤ Κ Μ ΑΥΡ ΑΝΤΩΝΕΙΝΟϹ; laureate, draped and cuirassed bust of Elagabalus, right, seen from rear
Reverse: ΥΠ ϹΕΡΓ ΤΙΤΙΑΝΟΥ ΜΑΡΚΙΑΝΟΠΟΛΙΤΩΝ; Hera standing facing, head left, holding patera and long sceptre
Mouchmov 656, AMNG 879–81
Moesia Inferior Markianopolis AD 218-222
(27mm 13.12g) AE 27
Obv: ΑΥΤ Κ Μ ΑΥΡΗ ΑΝΤΩΝΕΙΝΟϹ ΙΟΥΛΙΑ ΜΑΙϹΑ ΑΥΤ Confronted busts of Elagabalus and Julia Maesa
Rev: VΠ ΙΟVΑ ΑΝΤ ϹΕΛΕVΚΟV ΜΑΡΚΙΑΝΟΠΟΛΙΤΩΝ Hygeia standing right feeding serpent from patera. E in left field.
Magistrate Seleucus
Moushmov 693. , AMNG 959v Ex Jerry Coddington
AE 24 (24mm, 10.92g) AD 218-222
Obv: ΑΥΤ Κ Μ Α ΑΝΤΩΝΕΙΝΟϹ laureate head of Elagabalus, right, with drapery
Rev: ΡΕΦΑΝΕΩΤΩΝ, ΒΛΦ Genius standing facing, head left, wearing kalathos, holding patera and cornucopia; at his feet, bull, left; on either side, eagle
AE34 (34.21 mm, 25.27 g) Struck AD 238-244 Pisidia, Antioch
Obv: IMP CAES GORDIANOVS A Laureate draped bust right
Rev: CAES ANTIOCH COL S R She-wolf standing right suckling Romulus and Remus under a fig tree
SNG France 1210-1212
