Whilst I have an active interest in the eastern issues of Septimius Severus I no longer generally collect the later issues with my ineterest usually ending in the "Early IMP VIII" issue. There are some notable exceptions to this however and I will attempt to acquire some of the more unusual varieties if I can afford them. Amongst the varieties I will chase after are the "fancy busts". These busts aren't particularly fancy when compared to Probus but do when compared to the "Laureate head right" which is predominant in these issues. The bust types that I am aware of are "Laureate, cuirassed", Laureate, draped" and "Laureate, draped and cuirassed". In this case I have managed to acquire an example of the "Laureate, draped and cuirassed" bust type from the IMP XI issue. Obv:– L SEPT SEV AVG IMP XI PART MAX, Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust right, seen from behind Rev:– AEQVITA-TI AVGG, Aequitas standing left, holding scales and cornucopia Minted in Laodicea ad Mare. A.D. 201 Reference(s) – RIC IV -; BMCRE -; RSC 22a Same dies as Arnold lot 5 and Barry Murphy SEV-169. 2.51 gms, 18.73 mm. 0 degrees This coin seems to have some surface dirt still adhering in a few crevices. This image as the coin arrived with me. I will now contemplate whether to remove the dirt. Martin
Nice find, rarely see this bust type of him before. As for the dirt, I would most likely remove it as best as possible, it doesn't bring anything special to the coin, looks wise, like some can.
Very interesting, I wasn't even aware of these bust varieties. This is my latest Septimius Severus from an eastern mint Not a fancy bust, but still a somewhat unusual early portrait. Year: AD 197 Mint: Laodiceia ad Mare. Obv: L SEPT SEV PERT AVG IMP VIIII Rev: PROFECTIO AVG. 19 mm. 3,02 g. RIC 494; C. 580.
I like the PROFECTIO type too There are some interesting types in the series too The first IMP XI issue in the series has an awkwardly formed legend, some of the titles are sometimes continued on the reverse Often they copy the types from Rome even though one like the follwing is quite a bit scarcer than the Rome type