Triton XXII, Lot: 633. Estimate $500. Sold for $1200. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

SELEUCIS and PIERIA, Emesa. Julia Domna. Augusta, AD 193-217. AR Tetradrachm (24mm, 12.95 g, 12h). Officina A. Struck AD 215-217. IOVΛIA AVΓOCTA, draped bust right, wearing stephane / [ΔHMAP]X ЄΞ VΠATOC TO Δ, eagle standing facing, head left, with wings spread, holding wreath in beak; A to upper right; between legs, radiate bust of Shamash left. Prieur 950 (this coin illustrated); Bellinger –. Choice EF, toned. Extremely rare and choice for issue.

From the Michel Prieur Collection. Ex Numismatic Fine Arts XIV (29 November 1984), lot 481.

Julia Domna is featured prominently on the tetradrachms of Emesa as the city was the empress’ birthplace.

The Severan tetradrachms of Emesa carry various letters and symbols that presumably indicate officinae, but whose precise significance is not understood. It cannot be assumed that the “A” marking on this coin indicates that it is the product of the first officina as other letters, particularly “O,” were certainly not intended as numerals (O = 70).