Lot 334: Thrace, Nicopolis ad Mestum. Julia Domna. Augusta, A.D. 193-217. Æ. A.D. 210/1.

Thrace, Nicopolis ad Mestum. Julia Domna. Augusta, A.D. 193-217. Æ (23 mm, 7.35 g, 2 h). A.D. 210/1. IOVΛIA ΔOMNA CE, draped bust of Julia Domna right / OV-Λ NIKOΠ-OΛEΩC Π MEC, Nemesis standing facing, head left, holding scales and rod; at feet to left, wheel. Komnick 4 (V1?*/R4?); cf. Hristova & Jekov 9.17.35.1 (rev. legend); cf. Varbanov 4308-9 (same); Moushmov 4048. Extremely rare - the fifth known specimen. Dark green patina. Good fine.

Komnick knew of just four specimens of this reverse type. Of the four, there are two reverse legend variations: the first, as Varbanov 4308-9, has OVΛΠ NIKOΠO-ΛEΩC ΠΡ MECT, and the second, which is published only in Moushmov (4048), has OV-Λ NIKOΠ-OΛEΩC Π MEC. This second type is not illustrated, but there are just two specimens known, one in Plovdiv and the other in the Archaeological Museum in Sofia. From the legend breaks and considering the coin's scarcity, it seems likely that our coin shares the same dies as the two coins cited by Komnick. As for the obverse die, of which Komnick is uncertain and thus records it as V1?, comparison of our die with the illustrated obverse die V1 of the first type excludes the possibility that it is the same. Thus, assuming our coin shares the same dies as the two specimens noted by Komnick, Komnick 4 should probably be from dies V2/R4.

On a different note, Hristova & Jekov inexplicably miss this second variety; they cite Komnick otherwise. Thus, according to their numbering schema, this coin should be Hristova & Jekov 9.17.35.2.

• Offered By: Barry P. Murphy
• Lot #: 334
• Listing #: 177184
• Closed: Friday, September 16, 2016 6:51:00 PM CT
• Estimate: $100