I just purchased this Geta denarius from a CNG bulk lot and was surprised to find that it weighs a whopping 4.63 grams! The flan is slightly oversized in diameter, measuring between 18-20mm, and is probably about 1.5x the thickness of a typical denarius. Anybody else encounter significantly overweight Republican or Imperial denarii, and what's the heaviest you've seen?
It's not uncommon to find a heavy denarius, I have a few that are past the normal weight limits. But your coin, yeah, that's more over weight then usual. I love over weight coins.
Interesting "hog" you have there @Volante . Severan silver confuses me - weights seem to run all over the place (compared to Antonine silver). Here is a Caracalla that isn't as fat as yours, but at 3.5 grams, it is pretty chunky, especially given the wear: Caracalla Denarius (197-198 A.D.) Rome Mint M AVR ANTON CAES PONTIF, bare-headed and draped bust right / IMPERII FELICITAS, Felicitas standing left holding caduceus and child RIC IV Caracalla 9; BMCRE 199; Cohen RSC 95. (3.50 grams / 18 x 15 mm) eBay Nov. 2022 Die-Match Characteristics: Obv.: Top lip and nose close;prominent O at crown of head. Rev.: Caduceus between P/E. Die-Match Obv. and Rev.: UK Portable Antiquities Scheme Unique ID: YORYM-0954D1; from East Riding of Yorkshire (via OCRE example; photo is very poor). This one is even fatter - not quite up to 4 grams, but close: Caracalla Denarius (196 A.D.) Rome Mint M AVR ANTONINVS CAES, bare-headed draped & cuirassed bust right / SPEI P[ER]PETVAE, Spes advancing left holding flower upright and raising skirt. RIC IV Caracalla 5; BMCRE 190-192; RSC 594. (3.89 grams / 18 x 16 mm) eBay Oct. 2022 $12.50 Die-Match Characteristics: Obv.: Bulbous nose, small, neat letters, break after O. Rev.: Crude/stylized Spes, with geometrical gap under arm/skirts; T resembles P (die wear/strike?) Provenance: Arrived in Wayte Raymond, Inc. paper envelope Die-Match Obv. (?) and Rev.: Vcoins store Coins-to-Medals, hhttps://www.vcoins.com/en/stores/coins_to_medals/37/... Notes: "Back in Rome (early summer of 196) Caracalla was formally introduced to the Senate and the People as heir of Septimius Severus....the first five types on behalf of the young Caesar Antoninus, the future Caracalla. These are the types RIC IV-1 (Caracalla) 1, 2, 3, 4 & 5. The five have the same obverse legend...around a bare bust of Caracalla: without wreath as corresponds to his condition of Caesar." https://www.aeternitas-numismatics.com This one came in an old Wayte Raymond, Inc. paper envelope (incorrectly described as Geta, however):
That's a beautiful denarius of Geta! The heavy weight is frosting on the cake. As far as overweight Roman coinage is concerned, this is probably my best coin, one that I purchased back in the early 1990s. Herennia Etruscilla, BI antoninianus, 250 AD, PVDICITIA AVG. RIC 58b 5.60 grams
...ain't it the truth...but the OP's is a very fine coin, looking 'mint' state and as said, its not out of the ordinary, either light or heavy..mines on the light side and a bit worn.(old family coin photo)
