Finally landed a "hippo"

I have been trying to get this for five years....

From Naumann event today/ my proxy bid of 400 euros held up.
AR Antoninianus ND Roma Mint
4.29g. 23mm. .400
OTACIL SEVERA AVG.
Draped Bust Right/ wearing Stephane and set upon Crescent
SAECVLARES AVGG/III
Hippopotamus advancing Right
RIC 116b
Otacilia Severa Augusta 244-49
Saeclar Games/ 1000th Anniversary of Rome Issue

 

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That's a very nice one! Mine are not so well-preserved. I have an antoninianus and a sestertius.

 

Very nice hippo on that one, @panzerman. I always wonder if Philip got into abit of trouble at the palace for allowing that reverse on his wife's coin.


OTACILIA SEVERA
AR Antoninianus. 2.82g, 23.4mm. Rome mint, AD 248. RIC IV 116b (Philip I); RSC 63. Ludi Saeculares (Secular Games) issue, commemorating the 1000th anniversary of Rome. O: OTACIL SEVERA AVG, Draped bust right, wearing stephane, set on crescent. R: SAECVLARES AVGG, Hippopotamus with head level walking right; IIII (officina) in exergue.
Ex William Whetstone Collection

 

Thanks!
Naumann featured the Bicharactus collection of Antoniniani/ there where two different varieties/ one with mouth open/second (mine) mouth closed. Even Roman AR coinage is getting $$$$. Problem is these days, I can only bid by proxy since I am at work from 7:00AM till dark. Only good thing/ long work hours =lots of nice coins We have not had a "rain event" here since April 30th/ going 80 days straight/ record to beat (105) set in 2015 I am so swamped, had no time to get vaccinated/ I really hate needles
John

 

Thanks!
I would hope not! I love that reverse/ esp. the Aureus. I think Philip I/ II had some of the nicest reverses with the "animal motifs" Postumus took the award for most beautiful portraits on his Aurei.
John

 

That's a very nice OP coin (and the other examples shown), it's one of the types I have on my informal "want list" but haven't found the right coin at the right price yet. My only hippo so far is this Roman Provincial of Claudius from Alexandria:

 

Very nice clean coin. Some guys have all the luck or is it $$$?

 

..that's a dan-dee denarius Panzerman..lQQks like it was struck yesterday..these are much sought after in any metal.. Octalcilia Severa Hippo sestertius 30mm 21.12gms

 

Nice!

 

John, I think there is a problem with the colour of your new coin. I corrected it in a way it should fit your collection...

 

><....(my thoughts too )

 

cool hippo.

 

@panzerman: make time!!! It is a killer!!!

 

Strongly agree. Risk low if you are outside most of the time but not zero and risk/reward ratio very favourable, very good use of an hour or so.

 

@panzerman, a great example of the "closed-mouth" variety. Much friendlier-looking than mine, which is baring its teeth rather aggressively:

Otacilia Severa (wife of Philip I) AR antoninianus AD 248, Rome mint, 4th Officina. Obv. Draped bust right, wearing stephane, crescent behind shoulders, OTACIL SEVERA AVG/ Rev. Hippopotamus standing right, mouth open, SAECVLARES AVGG; IIII in exergue. RIC IV-3 116(b), RSC IV-3 63, Sear RCV III 9160 (ill.). 23 mm., 4.52 g. (Games commemorating 1,000th anniversary of founding of Rome.)



The two types also appear to have very different styles of lettering, despite being from the same Officina.

 

Actually my first bid was on the "open jaws" type. Naumann had both types. Yours is very nice.
John

 

I know....I really hate "needles"!

 

Actually there is a "Hippo Aureus" too. I have never seen one appear in auction.
On a sad note....our beloved Montreal Canadiens almost won their 28th Cup/ hopefully next season.

 

More luck then $$$$. I had bid on these before (CNG/ Nomos) all went very high. However, collectors of modest means like myself, can never compete for the creme de la creme with the Bezos/ Tyrant/ Arab Oil Princes