Important Ancient Coins

ROMAN PROVINCIAL COINAGE, Tranquillina (Augusta 241-244), Mesopotamia, Singara, Æ, ΤΡΑΝΚVΛΛΙΝΑ CΕΒ, diademed and draped bust right, rev. CΙΝ-ΓΑΡΑ, vexillum inscribed ΛΕΓ-ΑΠ, 3.96g/1h (cf. Münzen & Medaillen Deutschland 27, lot 2299, recté ΛΕΓ-ΑΠ). Unpublished in the standard literature; very fine, green-brown patina
£200-250

The Greek legend ΛΕΓ-ΑΠ on the vexillum is likely to stand for legio I Parthica, known to have been stationed at Nisibis in Mesopotamia from 197 to the early 5th century. For a similar issue with vexilla inscribed in Latin L III P (legio III Parthica), a legion known to have been stationed at nearby Rhesæna from 197, cf. Castelin, The coinage of Rhsæna in Mesopotamia, ANS NNM 108, 1946, 151-6, BMC Rhesæna 2-3 and SNG Hunter 2470-1