Severus II Value

That is one gorgeous coin!

I say go for it if you can afford it. You will regret not getting it if you want it really bad.

I have no idea on prices (or anything else for that matter), but I do LOVE that coin. Looks like a museum piece to me.

nice coin I wouldnt know the value but if you purchase this coin its a keeper.

That is a real nice one.

I have a Severus II coming from London right now and to make it even better it is an AVG. I am stoked! Augustus issues of Severus II are very scarce.

Coins of Severus II are rare because he wasn't Caesar or Augustus for very long.

In May of 305 Constantius succeeded Maximian as Augustus of the West and Galerius succeeded Diocletian as Augustus of the East, as planned. Flavius Valerius Severus (Severus II) was appointed Caesar of the West and Galerius Valerius Maximinus Daia (Maximinus II) was appointed Caesar of the East. The second Tetrarchy was thus created.

Before he died of sickness in July of 306, Constantius had conferred Imperium on his son, Constantine. Although his army wanted to proclaim Constantine Augustus, Galerius, the now de-facto senior Augustus, proclaimed him Caesar of the West and elevated Severus to Augustus of the West (in accordance with the rules for succession) thereby creating the Third Tetrarchy.

On 28 October 306, the Citizens of Rome revolted against oppressive taxation and petitioned Marcus Aurelius Valerius Maxentius (Maxentius), son of retired Augustus Maximian, to assume Imperium. This he did, initially adopting the appellation of Princeps. The army at Rome subsequently proclaimed him Augustus and Maxentius persuaded Maximian to come out of retirement in order to serve as his "colleague Augustus". Galerius, the senior active Augustus, rejected these actions as illegal and instructed Severus (because Rome was in his sphere of authority) to engage Maxentius and depose him.

307 was a tumultuous year indeed. Early in the year Severus commanded an army that marched south into Italy to engage Maxentius as instructed by Galerius. Severus was not well served by this army that maintained loyalties to its previous commander, Maximian, and indeed many soldiers deserted Severus. The forces of Maxentius quickly defeated those of Severus who was captured and subsequently executed in Rome. Later Galerius himself led an army against Maxentius but he was no more successful than Severus had been and eventually withdrew leaving Maxentius in control of most of Italy, North Africa and Spain. In April Maximian travelled to Gaul seeking an alliance with Constantine. The alliance was duly consummated and cemented when Constantine married the daughter of Maximian, Fausta Flavia Maxima (Fausta). Constantine assumed the title and powers of Augustus later in the year (not recognized by Galerius) after affirmation by Maximian and the Diocletian Tetrarchic System of Government by two Augusti and two selected Caesars effectively came to an end.

Example London Mint Severus II as Caesar (unreduced follis):

RIC Volume VI (Londinium), Group II, (i), No. 40-77, May 305-early 307, 11.0-9.0 gm, 28/26 mm.



SEVERVS NOBILISSIMVS CAES .................................. GENIO POPV -- LI ROMANI
SEVERUS (RIC) RIC Volume VI (Londinium) No. 59a


actual size of coin


James

I'd guess it at over $100 which may be fair. On the other hand most people wanting only one coin of the ruler would prefer a full size AE1 which is more common than this fraction so demand and rarity do not necessarily match. You rarely regret buying 'too nice' coins.

That is a very nice coin with great details.

I saw more than a few Severus II coins going for over $100, even over $200. Once I get around to getting this emperor, it's going to be tough finding a decent coin for a low price.

Yep, this forum is great for helping each other out. It's made it a lot easier for me as a beginning collector in ancient coins.

My Severus II just came in the mail today!

Severus II (A.D. 306-307)
AE Follis, Aquileia, 28mm, 7.36g, 180°, RIC 80b.
Obv: IMP C SEVERVS PF AVG. Laureate head right.
Rev: VIRTVS AVGG ET CAESS NN. Severus riding horse right, spearing barbarian; second barbarian lying on ground.