Classical Numismatic Group, LLC
Electronic Auction 539 31 May 2023
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CAPPADOCIA, Uncertain. temp. Commodus. AD 177-192. Æ (14mm, 1.73 g, 9h). Raven standing right; LEG above, XV in exergue / Boar standing right; APX above. Apparently unpublished; CNG EA 464, lot 540 (hammer $1200). Earthen brown patina, slight roughness. Near VF. Very rare.
Coins of Legio XV Apollinaris were unknown prior to September, 2022, when two coins were sold by Agora Auctions. Both coins are of Commodus and of a larger denomination. Agora argued an origin of an uncertain Arabian or Mesopotamian mint due to Commodus' involvement in the Armenian front of the Parthian war and his capture of Artaxata. This specimen was part of a collection of predominantly Cappadocian coins. Additionally, Howgego records two countermarks of this legion with LXV and XV (Howgego 740i and 740ii), which he attributes to Caesarea in Cappadocia. None of these coins have a city name inscribed but it is clear that they were struck at an eastern mint.
Coins of Legio XV Apollinaris were unknown prior to September, 2022, when two coins were sold by Agora Auctions. Both coins are of Commodus and of a larger denomination. Agora argued an origin of an uncertain Arabian or Mesopotamian mint due to Commodus' involvement in the Armenian front of the Parthian war and his capture of Artaxata. This specimen was part of a collection of predominantly Cappadocian coins. Additionally, Howgego records two countermarks of this legion with LXV and XV (Howgego 740i and 740ii), which he attributes to Caesarea in Cappadocia. None of these coins have a city name inscribed but it is clear that they were struck at an eastern mint.