Septimius Severus - Bronze coin on Denarius Type

I went through Wildwinds and found a silver denarius of this exact same type.

However, my coin is entirely bronze, without a trace of silver.

I must be missing something, but this is the only coin of this reverse type I was able to find on Wildwinds.

WW example: RIC 233


My example:

18mm, 2.4g

 

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That's a limes denarius.

 

Thanks! I was expecting most limes to be either billon or silver washed; i guess the silver wore off completely on this one.
NEAT!

 

Agree with @Roman Collector . Your coin is not an official mint issue.

 

This is an excellent, unofficial coin then. I'm used to those awful barbaric imitations

 

Some of those imitations are pretty awesome though!

 

Here's a Septimius Severus limes denarius that broke, as if things weren't bad enough:



Septimius Severus Limes Denarius
(200-201 A.D.)
Rome Mint?
[SEVER]VS AVG PA[RT MAX], laureate head right / [PR]OVID AVGG, Providentia
standing half-left, holding wand over globe to left and sceptre.
RIC 166; RSC 586
(1.90 grams / 18 x 12 mm)

 

Given the distinct possibility that limes denarii were struck to be used as military scrip to avoid silver falling into the hands of the barbarians, I have always felt that limes denarii are grossly under-valued.

I have this (billon?) limes denarius of Septimius Severus, parthian trophy issue - it is of fine, official style but far too lightweight to be a proper alloy issue.


My favorites however are these limes denarii of Marcus Aurelius and Faustina II, both dating to approximately the time of the Marcomannic Wars where both were usually present for the duration of the 170s.

 

Interesting limes denarii. It may indeed have been used as scrip, probably should read up on the topic.

 

I am uncertain of the reason behind Limes but have a few which I bought from people who valued them less than I do. I am a little concerned when they are types that are really expensive or rare in silver. If the coins were official military script, I would not expect them to select rare types to copy. I have two of these left facing 'Laodicea' denarii (they match). Try to find a solid silver one. What is their status?



Adding to the strangeness is my right facer of the same type that is also black. I have been considering it a silver (lower grade) coin that has toned completely black. These are common in this group also. These are coins that we wish could speak and relate their story since they were made.

 

LIMES Denarius - Hadrianus

I like to akin them to emergency / replaced military currency...


RI Hadrian, AD 117-138 Æ Limes Denarius 18mm 3.5mm after AD 125 Genius stndg sacrificing altar cornucopia RIC II 173