Caracalla, AR Denarius Rome, 201 – 202 AD; struck under the authority of Septimius Severus 18.5 mm, 6h The flip doesn't have the weigh and I haven't weighted it yet. RIC IV 120; RSC 3; RCV 6790; BMCRE 267; This denarius possibly commemorates the return of the Severan family to Rome after nearly a five-year absence in the East, from the summer of 197 until the spring or summer of 202 AD. It was encapsulated by NGC, but I want to be able to hold coins in my hand, so I broke it free. Just kept the encapsulation note. Obv.: ANTONINVS PIVS AVG laureate and draped bust of Caracalla to r. Rev.: ADVENT AVGG galley sailing left over waves, aquila at prow, two signa at stern; three oarsmen on deck, officer in the middle saluting three seated imperial figures below the acrostolium (Septimius Severus, Caracalla and Geta?) What do you think about encapsulating ancient coins or freeing them?
Certification is becoming more popular for ancient coins. Some dealers I know, who used to liberate them, are now marketing them in the slab. I prefer raw, but there are are a couple of expensive pieces that will have to stay where they are. I have to say that NGC slabbed coins are accurately graded.
Lovely coin and a fantastic reverse - lovely clear detail. I would also break it. I don't have any encapsulated coins, but then I have yet to break a 1,000 dollars on any one coin. I'm at the point where I'm wondering, when I do, should I trust the reputation of the auction house. I know my thousand dollars would likely go a lot further without encapsulation.
I love the detail on this denarius and bought a similar one like this a while back. I love the 3D view of the galley and the fluidity of the design, which is much more animated than other previous galley representations. I also prefer unslabbed coins and don't have any which are slabbed currently in my collection.
