Message:

<p>[QUOTE=&quot;Mikey Zee, post: 2693854, member: 72818&quot;]To be more precise, a 3.94 gram denarius of 19/18 mm---the size within the usual range, but the weight seemingly atypical for this period. I was drawn to the coin because of the overall eye-appeal--- it&#039;s well-centered and has a cool reverse. The &#039;unusual weight&#039; for a denarius struck at Rome in <b>208 AD</b> seemed to be an added &#039;treat&#039;.</p><p><br /></p><p>In any case, I have long been aware that silver denarii were continually debased during the Severan reign ultimately leading to the introduction of the &#039;Antoninianus&#039; by Caracalla. If the following excerpt is at all accurate, then this specific denarius seems to be something of an anomaly for that specific time period?? Of course, I may just be making &#039;much ado about nothing&#039;, considering the weight range often ran from less than 2 grams to well over 3 grams.</p><p><br /></p><p>QUOTED EXCERPT:</p><p><br /></p><p>&quot;In order to maintain his enlarged military he debased the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roman_currency" target="_blank" class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roman_currency" rel="nofollow">Roman currency</a> drastically. Upon his accession he decreased the silver purity of the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Denarius" target="_blank" class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Denarius" rel="nofollow">denarius</a> from 81.5% to 78.5%. However, the silver weight actually increased, rising from 2.40 grams to 2.46 grams. Nevertheless, the following year he debased the denarius substantially because of rising military expenditures. The silver purity decreased from 78.5% to 64.5% — the silver weight dropping from 2.46 grams to 1.98 grams. In 196 he reduced the purity and silver weight of the denarius again, to 54% and 1.82 grams respectively.<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Septimius_Severus#cite_note-75" target="_blank" class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Septimius_Severus#cite_note-75" rel="nofollow">[75]</a> Severus&#039; currency <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Debasement" target="_blank" class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Debasement" rel="nofollow">debasement</a> was the largest since the reign of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nero" target="_blank" class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nero" rel="nofollow">Nero</a>, compromising the long-term strength of the economy.&quot;<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Septimius_Severus#cite_note-76" target="_blank" class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Septimius_Severus#cite_note-76" rel="nofollow">[76]</a></p><p><br /></p><p>As always, please feel free to comment&nbsp; and please post any coin you feel is in anyway remotely related.......Jupiter hurling thunderbolts perhaps<img src="styles/default/xenforo/clear.png" class="mceSmilieSprite mceSmilie1" alt=":)" unselectable="on" unselectable="on" /></p><p><br /></p><p><b>AR Denarius of Septimius Severus 193-211 AD.,</b> - SEVERVS PIVS AVG, <b>laureate head</b> right / P M TR P XVI COS III P P, <b>Jupiter standing</b> right, leaning back preparing to <b>hurl a thunderbolt</b> and holding a <b>scepter(3.94 grams, 19/18 mm)</b> Rome mint 208 AD., <b>RIC IV 216</b> RSC 501</p><p><br /></p><p>[ATTACH=full]604880[/ATTACH][/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>

Your name or email address:

Do you already have an account?

• No, create an account now.
• Yes, my password is:
• Forgot your password?

Stay logged in