Notae Numismaticae - Zapiski Numizmatyczne (11.2016)

RECENZJE / REYIEWS

the reign of Macrinus and the restoration of the Severan dynasty, unofficial coins
and imitations, modern Severan-type and disputable coins. Also added are indexes
and convergence tables, including three bilingual annexes. The volume is complete
with 30 plates containing 302 colour photographs of coins. Additionally, there
are illustrations, on the last page, of East Germanie imitations: a coin of Severus
Alexander and one of Diocletian/Constantius I. The latter one is not included
in the catalogue.
In his concise introduction, the author points to a few interesting features
characteristic of Severan coinage. He remarks that the transformation process,
concluded with the establishment of a system based on the gold solidus, began in this
period. The process of decreasing the content of silver initiatedby Septimius Severus
was continued by his successors. The author describes the visual programme in
the above-named period, which can be divided into two groups: militaristic (Fides,
Mars, emperors in arms) and personifications/goddesses (Juno, Vesta, Pudicitia).
However, he also takes notę of the diversity of types. The catalogue is structured
in a elear and logical fashion. The first three parts are arranged in chronological
order, after which come unofficial coins, and then, finally, disputed coins and
imitations. Abrief history of the Ossoliński National Institute collection is also given.
In the case of the metallographic analyses performed, the author cites the examination
conducted by M. Ponting and H. Gitler (The Silver Coinage of Septimius Severus
and his family (193-211 AD), A Study of the Chemical Composition of the Roman
Eastern Issues).
As already noted, the catalogue is comprised of five parts. The arrangement
of the first three is identical. The name of the emperor or dynasty member and
the approximate datę are shown at the top of the page, while the mint, metal type,
and references to the Coins of the Roman Empire in the British Museum (BMC)
can be found below. Each piąte is divided into columns: number, metal/size/weight,
axis, denomination, reverse, obverse, and the related literaturę. The structures of
the coins that were examined by means of the ED-XRF method (nos. 23, 32, 71)
are presented in the piąte section. The Roman Imperial Coinage Vol. IVParts 1—2
and Coins of the Roman Empire in the British Museum Vols. V and VI or, where
possible, The Coinage of Septimius Sever and his family of the Mint of Romę are
used with a view towards comparing the pieces from the Ossolineum collection
and those from the above-named catalogues. Archival inventory numbers, as well
as donation and acąuisition details can be found in the relevant notes. The order
of the coins is chronological, but modified in comparison with the BMC.
The period of the Severan dynasty is divided on a logical basis: the first section,
from the assassination of Commodus up until Septimius Severus’ consolidation
of power; the second one, from Caracalla’s proclamation as Augustus up until his

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