Last month I got a little carried away and purchased about a half dozen coins. Some are coins I've been looking to buy, while others, like this one was just a good buy that came along for the ride. I have pledged not to buy another coin till May 1 at the earliest. In order to keep this pledge, I'm not even looking (I always find something when I look). But I digress. This is a simple coin of Septimius Severus from the Rome mint with a reverse I hadn't noticed before. It apparently was struck to invoke the protection of Hercules against the revolt of Clodius Albinus. SEPTIMIUS SEVERUS AR Denarius OBVERSE: L SEPT SEV PERT AVG IMP VIIII, laureate head right REVERSE: HECVLI DEFENS, Hercules standing half-right, resting on club, holding bow, lion's skin over arm Struck at Rome, 197 AD 3.1g, 17mm RIC 97, RSC 212, BMC 218
Nice coin, def a winner! After several low priced purchases I've confined myself to the wagon as well. But it will be worth it because I'm saving up for the local coin show in a couple of weeks.
I look even when there isnt anything in the budget, lol. Hard not to look, coins especially. Ive seen the type before but not alot. Nice reverse. And I agree with Eng, looks like 3 arms.
Nice addition, Bing ... oh, and I agree that it is best to try and avoid hunting for coins on an empty budget!! (I always end-up finding some way of justifying a new purchase and end-up under-mining my budget-goals) ... oh, but at least you get another cool coin outta the deal!! Cheers (I hope you and Mrs Bing are enjoying your Easter Sunday)
That's definitely a nice coin. I bet you got a decent price for it as well. I have very few SS coins, maybe two and that's it. I purchased a few coins myself. I'm planning on getting a couple more, maybe.
As Martin mentioned, any Rome mint SS from the IMPVII through X period with full legend is what I would call a keeper. I have one I consider very nice and one that is quite possibly barbarous (IOEPES???). The centering on the nice one is tight but centered. Bing's coin has just a bit more metal around the edges.
I guess so. It's kinda self imposed. I just went overboard in Feb/Mar and thought I should cool my heels for a month or so. It's not easy when you have an addiction. But I have saved back several coins to show on the forum while I wait to hop off the wagon.
Herakles has a Bow too! In case he didn't mush you to a pulp with his studded club, he can impale you from afar with arrows.... Nice coin!
I don't really collect Rome but... Here is one of mine that shows what I meand by the tight flan. This one has more flan but the reverse detail isn't good.
