I don't currently actively collect the later eastern issues of Septimius Severus but like to collect some of the oddities when I see them. I recently bought a mixed lot of 10 denarii just to obtain one coin. This coin. Until I saw it in the lot of denarii I hadn't know that the type existed from Laodicea. This is a common enough type from Rome but this coin is distinctly eastern in style. I started looking and found another on Barry's website from a different pair of dies. I suspect it to be relatively scarce. Septimius Severus Denarius Obv:– SEVERVS PIVS AVG, laureate head right Rev:– PART MAX P M TR P VIIII, two captives seated at foot of trophy Minted in Laodicea-ad-Mare. A.D. 202 Reference:– RIC IV -; BMCRE -; RSC -. 2.94 gms. 0 degrees. 20.31 mm The lot cost me my normal coin budget for a few months and so I might slow down buying for a while while I sell the remainder of the lot. Martin
I came across the same situation in regards to a rare Domitian denarius in a group lot. I asked the seller if he was willing to sell the coin individually and he agreed to do that at a fair price. I must admit the thought did cross my mind about purchasing the whole lot and selling the unwanted coins off individually. Awesome rarity Martin!
You got off easy only buying ten. Twice now I have bought over thirty in a lot to get one coin. Good coins have a way of hiding in trash piles. I hope the other nine were at least half decent.
The other nine were ok. A bit of a mixed bunch with each coin having enough of a small problem to cause them to not be able to stand on their own. The Septimius Severus has a scratch from the cheek through to the field on the right which probably caused this one to be tossed into the pile. Here are the remainder of the lot. Caracalla. A nice portrait but a slightly uneven strike which is evident in the end of the obverse legend and the start of the reverse legend. Elagabalus. Again the portrait is nice enough but the reverse lets it down. There is a lack of clarity through TR P and the front end of the right wing as well as the legs and shields of Victory to drag this one down a bit. A pair of Julia Mamaea A distinct double strike combined with slightly porous surfaces. There is a weak strike to the reverse or all the silver that should be in Vestas arm has been taken up with Julias nose. A distinctive portrait style which isn't the most attractive for this empress.
Severus Alexander times 4 A bit of wear and a blemish on the cheek. Again a bit of wear and flatness to Sol all on a broad flan A full flan. Issues around the lips act as a distraction. I need to try to photograph this one again. A nice strongly struck portrait but the double strike is evident. And finally a Gordian III. Small blemishes and a lack of detail to Apollo. I hope to make my money back on these over the coming months as they are not part of my collecting focus.
