I saw these coins with a dealer and simply couldn't leave them there all unloved and alone. On the other hand I certainly didn't need another example of either of these common enough types, having several in my trays already. I rationalised to myself that the BONVS EVENTVS was off centre enough to be a nice example of an off-centre strike even though I have many dozens of off centre strikes in my collection. The VICT AVG had a portrait that makes Septimius Severus look very pugnacious or at least as though he has been though a few boxing bouts and I thought was appealing, though when checking my records is a bust I already own. In the New Year I need to develop some discipline and save the money spent on these coins (only a very small amount) to accumulate and buy something else. Septimius Severus denarius Obv:– IMP CAE L SEP SEV PERT AVG COS II, Laureate head right Rev:– BONI EVENTVS, Bonus Eventus standing left holding basket of fruits in right hand, grain ears in left Minted in Emesa. A.D. 194 - 195 Reference:– BMCRE 343. RIC IV 369. RSC 68 Septimius Severus denarius Obv:– IMP CAE L SEP SEV PERT AVG COS II, Laureate head right Rev:– VICT AVG, Victory walking left, holding wreath in right hand, palm in left Minted in Emesa, A.D. 194 - 195 References:– BMCRE 395, RIC 424, RSC 675a
I feel you mate! I really want to pick up a nice cheap Honorius Siliqua, but I made a promise to myself that I would not buy any coins until my Birthday. Very nice set of Severan Denarii, cheers!
I have many worse coins but most of them were picked up either early in the time I was buying Eastern denarii or showed something that I wanted to show or was part of a die link interest group. Of course rarities I don't have can be this bad but I have to admit I would not have bought either of these. It is not that I am disciplined but just that I'd rather have other ugly coins that I don't have. I looked at these for a while in the hope that Martin was playing with us and showing rarities not obvious but, I can't see it. Now I'm really going to feel bad if this was a trick and I missed it.
Hmm, well. If they weren't expensive and if you like them, why worry? Although... I can understand feeling like you should refrain from "lesser" coins in order to spend more on something special. I can understand it but have yet to master it .
Doug - no trick at all. I have been telling myself to avoid buying the common COS II coins for ages but sometimes I lapse. I need more discipline as simple as that.
I can't seem to collect in a disciplined way at all. If I like it, I buy it. If it's a $10 coin in the junk bin for a quarter, even if I have many better examples, I buy it. If it's a $50 coin marked $12-20, even if I have many better examples, I buy it. I keep thinking I need to change this habit but I'm not sure that will happen.
Well, much easier to say than practice! Always something at a nice price with great detail - hard to not buy and put in your collection!!
