Posted 07/08/2007 09:03 am
How similar is "similar"? Are you after an exact match of the types, or just something that sort-of looks the same at first glance (like, the same emperor is close enough)? Matching the emperor should be easy enough, but the exact type might be harder to track down. A perfect die-match will be virtually impossible.
To help you find an exact match, they need to be fully attributed; some reference numbers might help.
The top one in your link is not actually "Antoninus Pius", even though that's the name you can clearly read on the coin there. The "real Antoninus Pius" normally had a much pointier beard.
There were three emperors who placed that name on their coins, the later two named after the first - they are better known to history as "Caracalla" and "Elagabalus". Your coin is (was?) from Elagabalus (reigned 218-222 AD), reverse type INVICTVS SACERDOS AVG, Emperor sacrificing over altar, RIC 191, Sear (millennium edition) #7518. The coin type is dated to 221-222 AD. Cheap enough if you can find one; $30 in VF according to Sear. Here's one on Wildwinds.
The second one is indeed a denarius of Septimus Severus, reverse type PM TRP XIII COS III PP, Roma standing holding Victory and spear, RIC 197, Sear #6337. The reverse legend actually gives the exact date, which converts to 205 AD. Also fairly cheap, if you can find one: CV is $32 in VF. Examples on Wildwinds.
As to where to get them, I'd suggest finding dealers with a large variety of stock on hand, to maximize your chances of getting a good match.
A good first stop might be FORVM Ancient Coins - a well-regarded dealer who also runs one of the biggest ancient coin Internet forums around. Besides the FORVM store itself, FORVM forum members also have on-site auctions; I doubt you'll find a bigger range or better prices for quality coins on the 'Net, and you can be as sure as possible that the things are authentic.
Another option I can recommend is Civitas Galleries - I've bought mediaevals off them, but not ancients.
Either of these guys probably won't mind you leaving them a "wantlist" and they'll keep an eye out for an exact match, if you really need one.
Hope this helps.
To help you find an exact match, they need to be fully attributed; some reference numbers might help.
The top one in your link is not actually "Antoninus Pius", even though that's the name you can clearly read on the coin there. The "real Antoninus Pius" normally had a much pointier beard.
There were three emperors who placed that name on their coins, the later two named after the first - they are better known to history as "Caracalla" and "Elagabalus". Your coin is (was?) from Elagabalus (reigned 218-222 AD), reverse type INVICTVS SACERDOS AVG, Emperor sacrificing over altar, RIC 191, Sear (millennium edition) #7518. The coin type is dated to 221-222 AD. Cheap enough if you can find one; $30 in VF according to Sear. Here's one on Wildwinds.
The second one is indeed a denarius of Septimus Severus, reverse type PM TRP XIII COS III PP, Roma standing holding Victory and spear, RIC 197, Sear #6337. The reverse legend actually gives the exact date, which converts to 205 AD. Also fairly cheap, if you can find one: CV is $32 in VF. Examples on Wildwinds.
As to where to get them, I'd suggest finding dealers with a large variety of stock on hand, to maximize your chances of getting a good match.
A good first stop might be FORVM Ancient Coins - a well-regarded dealer who also runs one of the biggest ancient coin Internet forums around. Besides the FORVM store itself, FORVM forum members also have on-site auctions; I doubt you'll find a bigger range or better prices for quality coins on the 'Net, and you can be as sure as possible that the things are authentic.
Another option I can recommend is Civitas Galleries - I've bought mediaevals off them, but not ancients.
Either of these guys probably won't mind you leaving them a "wantlist" and they'll keep an eye out for an exact match, if you really need one.
Hope this helps.
Don't say "infinitely" when you mean "very"; otherwise, you'll have no word left when you want to talk about something really infinite. - C. S. Lewis
Edited by Sap
07/08/2007 09:11 am
07/08/2007 09:11 am
