New Septimius Severus denarius in collection

Discussion in 'Ancient Coins' started by gogili1977, Aug 24, 2018.

  1. gogili1977

    gogili1977 Well-Known Member

    I bought this denarius of Septimius for 125 eur from one local collector. The seller gave me a picture of the denarius before cleaning. There are two filled letters on the obverse legend, I guess because of the die crack. Post your denarii with Neptune reverse.

    Septimius Severus, 193-211. Denarius, Rome, 209. Obv. SEVERVS PIVS AVG, Laureate head of Septimius Severus to right. Rev. P M TR P XVIII COS III P P, Neptune standing left, leaning on raised right leg set on rocks and holding trident in left hand. RIC 228.
    Septimius uncleaned.jpg
    Septimius.jpg
    Thanks.
     
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  3. randygeki

    randygeki Coin Collector

  4. Orange Julius

    Orange Julius Well-Known Member

    Wow, what cleaning techniques did the seller use?
     
  5. gogili1977

    gogili1977 Well-Known Member

    He cleaned denarius chemicaly day or two with acetic acid.
     
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  6. benhur767

    benhur767 Sapere aude

    Congratulations on your new Neptune coin @gogili1977 ! The seller's cleaning technique works wonders. The legend blunder/die break adds interest. Here are mine:

    sev_529_h_mk_2018_0817_03.jpg
    Septimius Severus. AR denarius, Rome, 209 CE; 19mm, 2.53g, 6h. BMCRE G3–4, Hill 1059 (C), RIC 228, RSC 529. Obv: SEVERVS – PIVS AVG; head laureate r. Rx: P M TR P XVII – COS III P P; Neptune, naked but for cloak from shoulder, standing half-l., foot on rock, holding trident and resting r. hand on knee.

    From the Philip T. Ashton Collection.

    ____________________________________________
    sev_564_h_mk_2015_0529_03.jpg

    Septimius Severus. AR denarius, Rome, 211 CE; 2.53g. BMCRE G112, Hill 1160 (R), RIC 244, RSC 564. Obv: SEVERVS PIVS – AVG BRIT; head laureate r. Rx: P M TR P XIX – COS III P P; Neptune, naked but for cloak from shoulder, standing half-l., foot on rock, holding trident and resting r. hand on knee. Scarce; 12 in Reka Devnia.
     
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  7. ancient coin hunter

    ancient coin hunter 3rd Century Usurper

    I've posted this one on the Forum before but here I go again because it matches your type in most respects...

    septsev1.jpg

    septsev2.jpg
     
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  8. Bert Gedin

    Bert Gedin Well-Known Member

    Although a relative ignoramus, in these matters, I find it virtually impossible to believe that the two before & after coins are one and the same. The first picture seems to show a coin where corrosion appears beyond remedy. - Sorry for crying "Wolf, wolf !!!"
     
  9. Al Kowsky

    Al Kowsky Well-Known Member

    Bert Gedin, I can understand your disbelief, however, they look one in the same to me. The planchet defects & the die break between the I & S seem to validate it's the same coin. The before & after are shocking!
     
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  10. Terence Cheesman

    Terence Cheesman Well-Known Member

    Many years ago I bought a Philip II antoninianus with a hard green encrustation on the reverse, though it was no where as bad as thr Severus pictured above. I went to a chicken place across the street for supper and asked for a wedge of lemon. I squeezed the lemon juice onto a coffee cup saucer put the coin in and watched this hard green crud lift off and float away in less than two minutes. For a few seconds it actually retained its form. It was my most successful cleaning. I have since sold this coin. Xphiljnr6.jpg
     
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  11. Bert Gedin

    Bert Gedin Well-Known Member

    Hi Al Kowsky, I admit to similarities of the same coin(s). But, to me, they look corroded beyond redemption. For instance, very little is left of Neptune's right leg.
    And the face of Severus. The lettering too. The "after" coin just looks too bright and shiny to be true. Maybe the cleaner did an incredible job. But I remain unconvinced.
     
    Last edited: Aug 24, 2018
  12. TIF

    TIF Always learning.

    It's not corrosion-- those are surface deposits. Perhaps this coin was in contact with bronze coins or metals. Simply soaking silver coins in a weak acid (lemon juice, vinegar, etc) will dissolve those deposits and reveal the intact coin underneath.
     
  13. gogili1977

    gogili1977 Well-Known Member

    Another Septimius denarius from the same hoard, before and after cleaning:
    Septimius 1 uncleaned.jpg
    Septimius 1 cleaned.jpg
     
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  14. Ryro

    Ryro Trying to remove supporter status

    WoWiE! What an amazing before and after:woot: Congrats on the beautiful coin.
    I'm a big fan of Septimius. Here's my best:
    CollageMaker Plus_20187821757699.png
    SeptimiusSeverus
    AR Denarius, Felicitas
    reverse
    Septimius Severus (193-211
    AD). AR Denarius Rome, c.
    202-210.
    Obv. SEVERVS PIVS AVG,
    Laureate head right. Rev.
    FELICITAS AVGG, Felicitas
    standing left, holding
    caduceus and cornucopiae.
     
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  15. dougsmit

    dougsmit Member

    The coin you show is nicer than mine but it is not the coin you describe.
    the photo:
    rj4510bb0117.jpg

    Felicitas:
    rj4610bb0180.jpg
     
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  16. Ryro

    Ryro Trying to remove supporter status

    Great spot! I should have looked closer at the reverse before reposting the seller description. I'll get the correct one after work (on lunch now).
    As always, you're a credit to us ancient collectors. Thanks Doug.
     
  17. benhur767

    benhur767 Sapere aude

    Both very nice coins @dougsmit. There's something especially pleasing to me about the Felicitas Augg coin.
     
  18. benhur767

    benhur767 Sapere aude

    Wow, amazing!
     
  19. TIF

    TIF Always learning.

    Misidentified reverse aside, that is a fantastic portrait! He looks so handsome (not a word that usually comes to mind when I think of ol' Seppie)... he looks so sweetly earnest or something. He's craning his neck forward slightly, eyes open, slight smile... must be thinking about his wonderful and intelligent wife :D.
     
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  20. dougsmit

    dougsmit Member

    More likely he was thinking about ordering a DNA test on Caracalla.
     
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  21. Ryro

    Ryro Trying to remove supporter status

    Thanks @TIF. For sure he is! She was every bit the Jackie O', and then some, of her time.
    @dougsmit, you beat me to that punchline (admittedly, yours was funnier). Though I've always thought his 2 boys were the personification of the best and worst of the man. Septimius and Julia must've truly been torn on what to do with a sociopath and a sophisticate for sons.
     
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