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COIN
Unique ID: BH-386FB5
Object type certainty: Certain
Workflow
status: Published 
A very worn cast copper-alloy Dupondius, probably of Severus Alexander (AD 222-235). Reverse shows Pax advancing left. This coin is probably a contemporary copy, a limesfalsum, although it is very worn. It appears to be from the same mould as another coin found in Hertfordshire (BH-386FB5) which is a also a copper-alloy dupondius. 'Mint of Rome', AD 228. The reverse does appear to be of Severus Alexander and is probably taken from an as - RIC IV, p. 109, cf. 480. No dupondius is recorded for this issue so an obverse of another coin, a dupondius, was probably used for the obverse mould. The obverse looks like Severus Alexander, but could also be Elagabalus (AD 2318-222). The coin could have been produced at any time up until the middle of the third century.
Note that the obverse portrait appears to have a large beard, more akin to the Antonine emperors. However, comparison with the other coin (BH-386FB5) shows that this is actually the result of a flaw in the mould. This coin was probably cast later when the mould have suffered some damage.
Dimensions: 22.5mm diameter, 3.2mm thick. Weight: 8.61g.
Having two limesfalsa from such close proximity in one county does suggest they were made locally in Britain, not imported from the Continent as is commonly assumed.
Notes:
This coin appears to be copied from the IMP VII COS III S C series for Marcus Aurelius, but the reverse type is not recorded in RIC. Victory advancing left is recorded for AD 177-8, although only for a sestertius and as (RIC 1233-4).
Find of note status
This has been noted as an interesting find by the recorder.
Subsequent actions
Subsequent action after recording: Returned to finder
Chronology
Broad period: ROMAN
Period from: ROMAN
Period to: ROMAN
Date from: Exactly AD 228
Date to: Exactly AD 228
Dimensions and weight
Quantity: 1
Thickness: 3.2 mm
Weight: 8.61 g
Diameter: 22.5 mm
Discovery dates
Date(s) of discovery: Sunday 24th February 2013
Personal details
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Other reference numbers
Other reference: Ver 13/43 - 9
Materials and construction
Primary material: Copper alloy
Manufacture method: Struck or hammered
Completeness: Complete
Coin data (numismatics)
Denomination: Dupondius
Denomination qualifier: Certain
Ruler/issuer: Severus Alexander
Primary ruler qualifier: Probably
Reece period: Period 11 [222-238]
Obverse description: Radiate head / bust right.
Obverse inscription: Illegible.
Reverse description: Pax advancing left holding olive branch and sceptre
Reverse inscription: [PM TR P] VII C[OS II P P], S C
Die axis measurement: 12 o'clock
Degree of wear: Very worn: fair
Status: Contemporary Copy (Limesfalsum)
Status qualifier: Probably
Coin references
No coin references available.
Spatial metadata
Region: Eastern (European Region)County or Unitary authority: Hertfordshire (County)
District: North Hertfordshire (District)
To be known as: Lilley
Spatial coordinates
Grid reference source: Generated from computer mapping software
Unmasked grid reference accurate to a 100 metre square.
References cited
No references cited so far.
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Timeline of associated dates
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