Severus. AE 26. Heliopolis. TEMPLE OF JUPITER.

     An AE 26 of Septimius Severus (AD 193-211) in VF condition. Sear,
     Greek Imperial Coins 2265; BMCGalatia, p. 290, no. 4.

     Obv. Laureate bust of Septimius Severus right.

     Rev. View, in perspective, of the temple of Jupiter Heliopolitanus,
     standing on podium and approached by flight of steps.

     A coin of Heliopolis in Syria. This is a particularly prized Roman
     provincial coin because of its architectural type. It shows the
     temple of Jupiter Heliopolitanus, the ruins of which can still be
     seen at Baalbeck, about 40 miles from modern Beirut. The reverse
     inscription reads I.O.M.H., for Jovi Optimo Maximo Heliopolitano, and
     COL. HEL., for Colonia Heliopolitano.