So I recently told @dougsmit I wasn’t ready for real auction house bidding yet, but shortly after that I ended up trying it. I saw this Lucius Verus denarius and while I liked the obverse it appeared to have some white deposits on the reverse making it less appealing to other bidders. It arrived today and was darker than expected (nice surprise imo) but I also noticed that instead of white deposits on the reverse it’s more of the silver showing through the flaking patina. Here’s the auction house vs in hand photos. I don’t think they misrepresented anything, I think I just missed the obvious. Still learning here. Lucius Verus, 161-169. Denarius 17 mm, 2.7 g Rome, 164-165. L VERVS AVG ARMENIACVS Bare head of Lucius Verus to right. Rev. TR P V IMP II COS II Mars standing right, holding reversed spear with his right hand and resting his left on shield set on ground. BMC 376. Cohen 262. RIC 528. Please share any dark toned denarii!
I wouldn't complain if it were mine. IMHO, a mighty fine denarius. With time you will gain experience and be able 'read' various dealer's photos.
Nice OP coin. I bought this denarius from Jeff Clark for $80 in 2004. It looks as it’s been dipped in chocolate. I’d like it to be nice and silver, but I figure I’d probably just ruin it, so I’ve left it darkly toned.
These two are darker than the photographs would have you believe. Lucius Verus: Lucius Verus, AD 161-169 Roman AR Denarius; 17 mm, 3.36g, 6h Rome, AD 168 Obv: L VERVS AVG ARM PARTH MAX, laureate head right Rev: FORT RED TR P VIII IMP V COS III, Fortuna seated left, holding rudder and cornucopiae Refs: RIC 586; BMC 477; Cohen 111; RCV 5350; MIR 170. And his mother-in-law's mother: Faustina I, AD 138-141 Roman AR denarius; 3.25 g, 18.4 mm, 5 h Rome, AD 147-161 Obv: DIVA FAVSTINA, draped bust, right Rev: AETERNITAS, Providentia standing left, holding globe and grasping veil which billows behind her Refs: RIC 351; BMCRE 373; Cohen 32; RCV 4578; CRE 121
Cool Zebra-Look Denarius @Johnnie Black ! Looks like Batman's Riddler was a Zebra too! 50 Shades of Gray... RR C POBLICIUS Q f 80 BCE AR Denarius serratus 3.94g Rome Flan wgt control gouge Hercules strnglng Nemean lion club quiver Cr 380-1 Syd 768 RI Civil War VINDEX 68-69 CE AR Denarius 3.22g Gallic mint SALVS GENERIS HVMANI Victory l globe - SPQR in wreath RIC 72 BMCRE 34-36 RSC 420 RARE Julia Paula Augusta AD 219-220 AR Denarius 18 mm 3.10g Antioch mint AD 219-220 - Venus Genetrix seated left holding apple scepter RIC IV 222 RSC 21 This Heavy Denarius was probably minted during the LOW PERIOD when Hannibal had destroyed Rome in 3 Battles within 18 months. Rome was running out of money, and this more of a BILLON Heavy Denarius was struck: RR 225-214 BCE Anon BILLON Heavy Denarius Quadrigatus-Janus Didrachm Janus-Jupiter gallopng quadriga r 18.2mm 4-1g Cr 28-3 S 33 How about a LIMES DENARIUS? RI Hadrian, AD 117-138 Æ Limes Denarius 18mm 3.5mm after AD 125 Genius stndg sacrificing altar cornucopia RIC II 173
