I had mentioned in my last Septimius Severus thread that I was waiting for a package. Well, it arrived today and since it has rained in biblical proportions today, I was not able to take any pictures with sunlight. So I thought I would share a picture from the seller. As much as I look at coins in various places, be it eBay, sellers' pages, shows and auctions, I do not see many VOTIS coins of Septimius Severus. And as it turns out I found a pretty nice coin at just the right price. I hope that you like. My pictures will come later in the thread when the sky is not thoroughly gray for 12 hours. AR Denarius Septimius Severus Augustus: 193 - 211AD Issued: 202AD 20.54mm 3.59gr O: L SEPT SEV AVG IMP XI PART MAX; Laureate head, right. R: VOTIS DECENNALIBVS; Severus, veiled and togate, standing left, sacrificing over tripod altar, patera in right hand. Laodicea ad Mare Mint RIC 519; RSC 796; Sear 6395; BMC 680. Aorta: 525: B3, O45, R384, T183, M3. Ex. Freeman and Sear Mail Bid Sale, Lot 542, January, 1996; Ex Jeff Clark VOTA Collection. Ancient Imports/Marc Breitsprecher Inv. #39751 10/8/17 10/14/17
Nice coin ! I've converted to using sunlight for coin pics as well...but it does stink to wait of for a sunny day, or hurry up and get in your pics between clouds on a partly sunny day.
Yeah I think sunlight gives the best results for coin pictures. It isn’t as harsh as artificial light. If you have a sunny day too you can take a Nice well lit picture of your coin without weird shadows. And it just looks natural.
I'd call this a worthy example of an interesting type which I would be happy to welcome in my collection. Most Vota coins use a numeral rather than spelling out the length of time involved in the vows. Not just using VOT X is what makes this type special. I can not agree with the photo choices. The problem with daylight is that you only work when the weather cooperates and that is not always when best fits your schedule. Artificial light is harsh and weird if you tell it to be and does not improve or worsen automatically if you wait as does daylight. In the case of your photo, I would have preferred the light fall more on the face and less on the back of the head as it would had you rotated the coin about 45 degrees counterclockwise. This is easier that moving the sun or waiting until it gets where you want it. I don't have many SS Laodicea coins and don't have this type but don't consider the one below offensively harsh or weird. If you do, it would be possible to diffuse the light a bit more a soften contrasts. It is all a matter of preferences.
I can certainly see why you were excited to receive the piece - a very regal portrait combined with good of eye appeal. Congrats!
@ominus1 It should probably read addiction if I am being honest with myself. @dougsmit I thank you sincerely for the compliments. I take them to heart from everyone especially from you though. As for the lighting I just have a dumb phone camera. I find that I get my best results with no additional equipment using natural light. So I have no basis for argument really. Just the lesser of two kind of crappy choices. I will take your advice in mind and see if I can get some better results. @David Atherton Thank you for the compliment as well. I went outside of my normal price range for it but I am very satisfied that I did so. @Mat Thanks friend. It is a hefty 3.59 which is a nice solid piece.
Here is my image. Still the problem of light coming in from the head as the seller photo shows as well. Oh well, some day I will get the equipment to my coins more justice. Until then, this will do. Septimius Severus collection, in total: http://www.forumancientcoins.com/gallery/thumbnails.php?album=6295
