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 Replies: 5 / Views: 1,917 |
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Pillar of the Community
Italy
1790 Posts |
Hello , I recently purchased an Alexander Severus denarius and a Gordian III denarius from Vcoins ;after the coins arrived I looked them up at Beast Coins ( so far so good ) . The Alexander Severus denarius was listed as a common issue from the Rome mint circa 222 CE but the Gordian III denarius is listed as RIC IV, Part III, 112 (R) . To make a long story short in your opinion is this denarius "rare" or I am just confused ? Thanks .   Weight 3.27 grams Also here is the Alexander Severus denarius .  Edited by Augustus Maximus
08/02/2014 2:27 pm
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
905 Posts |
It is rated as rare in RIC IV, but you need to understand the rarity system. In this case, rare is not that "rare." There are several degrees of rarity which are common, C2, C3, scarce, rare,r2, r3, r4, r5. The preface for this volume does not explain exactly how many of each coin was noted, but here is the list from RIC VII--
c3= 41-
c2= 31- 40
c1= 22- 30
s= 16- 21
r1= 11-15
r2= 7-10
r3= 4-6
r4= 2-3
r5= unique
These numbers only account for coins that the author saw in museums,some private collections, published hoard material etc., and can't account for every example existing at the time and, of course, those yet to be found. Rarity rarities are relative guides and need to be considered carefully in light of how much time has passed since the book was written.
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Pillar of the Community
 Italy
1790 Posts |
I had a feeling that this coin was not "rare" . Thanks Victor
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Pillar of the Community
United Kingdom
4208 Posts |
Not just that, but often the rarity scale is completely wrong - infamously so with the GLORIA EXERCITVS issues. Theres also coins which museums seek out - every example known of some issues might be tucked away in a museum, so the rarity scale is artificially lower whilst the issue is much harder to find.
Also, the rarity scale changes between some issues to different amounts, such that an R1 may be a lot more common than you'd expect.
Also also, this is an Antoninianus - a double Denarius. Its a nice example - wide flan and full circle.
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Pillar of the Community
United Kingdom
2100 Posts |
It IS a denarius as indicated by the laurel wreath. They are relatively scarcer than the Antoninianii of the time but certainly not rare.
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Pillar of the Community
Italy
1790 Posts |
Thanks gentlemen for your time and effort . Still two very nice denarii of two good emperors so I cannot be disappointed .
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Replies: 5 / Views: 1,917 |
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Posted 08/02/2014 2:48 pm
