How to Identify the Bronze Coin of Septimius Severus (Tyre)

Start with the obverse bust. This type shows a right-facing, typically laureate portrait of Septimius Severus with his distinctive full beard in the Severan style. Look for a surrounding legend naming the emperor; on provincial bronzes the lettering is often partly worn or struck off the flan, so use the portrait style as a backup identifier when the legend is incomplete.

Next, read the reverse, which is what ties the coin to Tyre. Expect a local subject such as a temple (columns and a pediment, sometimes enclosing a figure or cult object) or a standing deity or civic personification connected to the city. A reverse showing an empire-wide Roman type instead of local imagery suggests a different mint, so the provincial subject matter is a key diagnostic.

Assess the metal, size, and fabric. This is a hand-struck bronze coin with an irregular flan and a brown, green, or earthen patina. Provincial city bronzes are usually a modest module, not a large medallion, and uneven strikes, off-center images, and partial legends are completely normal for the series. A perfectly round, sharply uniform "ancient" with suspiciously smooth surfaces deserves a closer look.

For mint attribution, rely on the reverse type and any surviving city legend or symbols rather than the portrait, since the same emperor was depicted at many mints. Comparing your coin to cataloged Tyre issues of Septimius Severus is the surest way to confirm both the city and the specific reverse variety.

Apply authentication caution. Cast fakes and tooled coins exist: watch for a seam around the edge, bubbles or pitting from casting, and unnaturally sharp detail that looks re-cut into worn metal. A genuine, undisturbed patina and honest wear are reassuring signs, and for a higher-value example, an opinion from a specialist dealer or attribution to a standard reference is worthwhile.