Just to prove that I don't only collect LRBs and Siliquae; I am thinking of buying this. Septimius Severus AR Denarius Dea Caelestis riding a lion!( Badass unlocked) 3.94 Grams. Struck between 202- 210 CE This coin was struck with both Caracalla and his Father portraits and celebrates a water construction project in Carthage. The records of this project have unfortunately been lost to time So what do you guys and girls think: should I go for it or pass. Thanks and best wishes.
These are common coins and this is a middle of the road specimen with weak strike on the reverse. That should mean it carries a low price. It is also the most common of the minor variations (based on whether the figure holds a thunderbolt or drum and whether or not there is a scepter) so it will have no special appeal to a Septimius collector. On the other hand it would make a grat coin for a collector who wants just one coin of the ruler and does not want to spend much. chrsmat71 was exactly correct: "just depends on the price." Thunderbolt (common) Drum (and facing head on figure) scarce Caracalla
SEPTIMIUS SEVERUS AR Denarius OBVERSE: SEVERVS PIVS AVG, laureate head right REVERSE: INDVLGENTIA AVGG, IN CARTH in ex, Dea Caelestis in elaborate headdress riding right on lion, holding thunderbolt & scepter; below, water gushing from rocks left Struck at Rome, 204 AD 3.5g, 18mm RIC IV 266
I can tell you that I only paid $21 for mine three years ago. But I shop for bargains. What the coin is actually worth? Probably 3 times what I paid (pure guess).
This link should give you a point of comparison. Of course these are all asking prices. http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=p2050601.m570.l1313.TR0.TRC0.H0.Xseptimius severus lion denarius.TRS1&_nkw=septimius severus lion denarius&_sacat=0
From my 'experience', the $60-$100 + price tags seem typical....and usually at the high end of my budget...( depending on strike, surface and overall grade)..... I love the reverse!!!
There are a couple of very scarce variants for Septimius Severus that do appeal to the specialist. One with a Laureate. draped bust and another without the IN CARTH in exe on the reverse. Regards, Martin
I'd say yours is a $50 obverse and a $20 reverse (I am not impressed by flat strikes) but that does not mean it is a $70 coin. For $100, you need the facial details on woman and lion that I show on my first coin combined with your coin's obverse and surfaces.
I think you are right Mike Z. This one is near the $100 mark. I love that the coin is a heavy weight Denarius(3.94g), and has a nice obverse portrait. Thanks to all who have commented.
here you can compare. http://www.acsearch.info/search.htm...1&ot=1&images=1¤cy=usd&order=0&company=
