Need help with a TONED silver ancient COS II

I stand corrected

 

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It's just that toning on ancient coins is basically re-toning. All ancient coins are cleaned. Silver typically comes out of ground finds or pots completely black, as you would expect silver to look after centuries. If the toning is even, the coins can look quite attractive. Here's a denarius, also of SS, that was simply cleaned and NOT dipped (or maybe it was dipped, but a very long time ago), the toning is black through and through.



The earlier denarius that I posted is my most colorfully-toned coin. Here's another pic. It just means that this coin was cleaned, dipped, then re-toned, probably in an old envelope with a certain amount of silver in it...



Do I like it? Sure, it's real purdy. Would I spend a premium on it? No, because it's second-hand toning, even if it took a hundred years to develop.

 

OP coin looks like an Eastern Mint. I believe mine was minted in Emesa, or modern day Homs, Syria.

IMP CAE L SEP SEV PERT AVG COS II, Laureate head right / LIBERA AVG, Liberalitas standing left, holding abacus & cornucopiae
3.3g
17.0mm

 

Wow, vdb => that's a very sweet toned OP-coin (congrats)

=> here is my only Sep Sev denarius ...

Septimius Severus Denarius
Date: 202-210 AD
Diameter: 19.1-21.6 mm
Weight: 3.2 grams
Obverse: SEVERVS PIVS AVG - Laureate head of Septimius Severus
Reverse: VICT PART MAX - Victory holding wreath and palm
References: RIC 295



... yah, I like my coins with a bit of extra junk in the trunk

 

Sorry I missed seeing this before it went through all the bad information but the correct answers still got here before I did. I do not live online but my wife thinks I do so I get it from both sides.

Septimius Severus was one of three generals who rose in opposition to the sale of the empire to Didius Julianus following the murder of Pertinax in 193 AD. Septimius styled himself as the avenger of Pertinax and used his name on coins of the early period. Civil Wars arose to determine which general would have the honor of saving Rome. Septimius won. This coin is dated COS II referring to the second consulship which Septimius held in 194 AD. The coin could be made that year or the next because Septimius did not hold a consulship every year. This coin is from Emesa in Syria where a mint was set up to provide coins for the army activities in that region against Pescennius Niger. A few of us really strange types specialize in the Eastern coins from this period. There are many types and even more variations. This one is one of the most common. In general, I consider Emesa mint coins 'better' than the common Rome mint issues but they are hardly rare as a group. A few varieties are known by just a few (or one) example. I prefer toned coins but would not bet this one was hot assisted in retoning after cleaning. This makes a lot less difference with ancients since all are cleaned. Some were cleaned long ago and some yesterday. Some retone slowly and some get help. Modern collectors will get over this toning business in a few decades when all their wonderful colors go gray. This coin is only moderately appealing to me because of the small flan losing legends. The one John Anthony posted is much better. Modern coins don't have as many factors to consider since they all start with the legends on flan and well centered (unless they are classed as errors). It is still a nice coin and very collectible. Some of my coins from the period are on my page but I have not added much there since I wrote those pages in 1997.
http://www.forumancientcoins.com/dougsmith/mintsyr.html

 

denar/SEPTIMIUS SEVERUS/FORTUNA REDUX/aprox./VF 20/ 20 - 50$

 

Welcome MIRO

 

One of my favorite reverse types, also Emesa Mint.


Septimius Severus (AD 193-211)
AR Denarius
O: Laureate head right.
R.Corn ear between crossed cornucopia.
(3.19 gm).
Emesa (Antioch) mint, AD 194/195.
RIC 373, RSC 142b.

 

Thank you all guys I've really learned a lot. Im not an ancient collector but surely love the history behind it and love when I get random ancient coins here and there. Man if only they could speak. I ended up selling it for about $85 so I'm happy but man ill miss it. Certainly the prettiest ancient I've ever owned

 

Glad we could help. Sell your Victor David Brenner penny and buy more ancients.

 

hahaha i should! Man i wish I could change my username I made this account 5 years ago! And I'm not as much into numismatics as I used to be. Im much more of a vintage bullion and currency guy now

 

We'll convert you sooner or later

 

No kidding, CT posters past and present are why I got into them, they're vampires! One bite and thats it.

 

Come to the dark side, Luke!!!