Septimius Severus reference appreciated

This came to me in a little group lot. It is well outside of my collecting area but at least I recognize Septimius Severus and Pax. I know there are a couple specialists here who might be able to help at just a glance.

 

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Well, its a Septimius Denarius. Not sure what you want to know about. Date is probably around 195-198 A.D. I think the reference number is RIC 490.

 

Thanks icerain, I appreciate your taking a look but I think RIC 490 is P M TR P V. It appears wildwinds has it as RIC 85, RSC 429 minted in 196

 

Good detail, especially on the reverse. Congrats.

 

Thanks Bing

 

Rome mint Septimius Severus Denarius.
Minted in 196 AD.
Obv:- L SEPT SEV PERT AVG IMP VIII, laureate head right
Rev:- P M TR P IIII COS II P P, Pax seated left, holding branch and sceptre.
RIC 85. RSC 429.

 

Thanks maridvnvm. Nice to have a denarius from 196, a pivotal year for Severus. I imagine these were likely in the purses of the soldiers fighting Albinus.

It seems like this is a scarce issue?

 

Not particularly scarce. A quick search will identify another on VCoins right now.

 

Thanks again, I hadn't seen that one on vcoins. I only saw one or two more on cng and acsearch. I only have a couple denarii of Severus so it's a welcome addition in any case.

 

There are so many variations of these mid period Rome mint denarii and so few people specializing in them (most of us seem to like the Easterns) that we may not see many offered for a reason other than scarcity. This was a period of poor workmanship at the mint. Full legend, well struck coins are probably under 1% of those surviving. People not trying to get them all are not willing to pay for coins like yours and my TR P V below which are probably better than average but nothing to interest the high grade crowd.


In addition to Pax, these dated coins come in several other reverses. With so many permutations of IMP and TRP numbers and many reverses not all that special, demand is under supply.

I mentioned workmanship was poor in this period. Below is a full legend IMP VIII, TRP V Fortuna from the series but the IMP VIII falls boldly across Fortuna's face and flat were it belonged on the obverse due to a flipover double strike. Centering is nice but mentioning that under the circumstances is just plain ridiculous.

 

Nice explanation Doug. I love the flipover double strike, great coin!