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 Replies: 16 / Views: 3,037 |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4883 Posts |
Lucius Septimus Severus was born in Africa. far from Rome, but was soon appointed as a senator after his arrival there at just the age of 18. In the chaos that followed the reign of Commodus, Severus leveraged this and further gubernatorial and military command positions into acclaimation as Emperor. Once in power, Severus viciously stamped out any hint of rivalry or potential dissent, but at the same time was responsible for the refurbishing of many important buildings and led several successful military campaigns; it was on one such to Britain that he died when 66 years old. It was perhaps his greatest disservice to the Roman Empire that he designated his even crueler son Caracalla to succeed him. An interesting aspect of this specimen is that the reverse is rotated by about 45 degrees.   Colligo ergo sum
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Moderator
 United States
23731 Posts |
Excellent example, great detail.
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Rest in Peace
United States
17900 Posts |
I really love that one. Just speaks volumes of history on only two sides!
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Bedrock of the Community
Australia
21788 Posts |
Interesting blob at the feet of PROVIDENTIA.
Guesses as to what may have caused it?
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3444 Posts |
Well Providentia is usually depicted with a globe at feet.
But the style of the reverse seems somewhat crude.
I am not expert in the area of Severan Denarii but the lettering looks odd to me.
Very heavy and block like.
I will not dare venture an opinion on this one, one way or another !
I know we have at least one "in house" expert on Severan silver.
Hopefully he can render a learned opinion !
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
4883 Posts |
I neglected to mention that the dealer's invoice states "Laodicea" which I presume is either where it was recovered or minted.
Colligo ergo sum
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3444 Posts |
Yes an Eastern mint as opposed to Rome would account for the difference in style (esp lettering)
Again I would emphasize I tend to avoid the shiney coins (gold & silver) in favor of bronze coin.
I have not ruled out the idea that these are genuine.
I just have a suspicious mind !
All collectors have been fooled !
My friends at the local coin shop tell me they are seeing fake US Silver dollars coming in very realistic slabs.
The world is changing fast
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4883 Posts |
I came across another of these today that I liked for having an even stronger portrait. The reverse appears to depict Roma holding Victoria.   Colligo ergo sum
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4883 Posts |
Just ran across this useful webpage on Lucius Septimius Severus, detailing his military exploits, with a listing of many of the coins issued during his reign, particularly those relating to his vanquishing of the Parthians - http://www.parthia.com/rome_septimius_severus.htmColligo ergo sum
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Pillar of the Community
Belgium
1194 Posts |
I agree with Furius Rufus for the reverse , the globe at the feet is to big , the face is to crude and there is a point between the A of providentia and aug .it is the first time I see this . Is the weight correct ? Maybe it is a well conserved fouree ? albert
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4883 Posts |
Weight on tht first one is 2.87 grams.
Colligo ergo sum
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Pillar of the Community
United Kingdom
2100 Posts |
It looks like a classic later IMP VIII Providentia to me.
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Pillar of the Community
United Kingdom
2100 Posts |
The RESTITVTOR VRBIS is quite common. I had a couple in a lot of denarii I bought in order to get one of the coins in the lot. I don't actively collect his Rome mint coins and will part with them at some stage when I can get round to it.   |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4883 Posts |
Quote:
The RESTITVTOR VRBIS is quite common. I had a couple in a lot of denarii I bought... Thanks for posting that pair. Among the trio, it's interesting to see the variations in the execution of both the portraits and Roma. Colligo ergo sum
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4883 Posts |
Here's another that has some condition issues that would normally dissuade me from purchasing such, but it was totally "bargain basement" priced. I'm a bit uncertain as to the date for this specimen - it looks to me to be COS III, which I believe would only narrow its issue down to as no earlier than 202 AD.   Colligo ergo sum
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4883 Posts |
My latest, apparently corresponding to RIC 119a (RSC 641), which would date it to 197 or 198 AD. A seemingly rather typical portrait.   Colligo ergo sum
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Replies: 16 / Views: 3,037 |
Posted 02/18/2016 3:36 pm
