I have finally completed my Year of the Five Emperors set with this Pescennius Niger denarius: Pescennius Niger. AD 193-194. AR Denarius (17.5mm, 2.98 g, 12h). Antioch mint. Laureate head right / Spes advancing left, holding up flower and hem of skirt. RIC IV 3b; RSC 6 var. (obv. legend). Niger's coins look almost barbarous in style - as i understand it, the die engravers were from provincial mints, imitating the imperial style. So this series is pretty interesting. It's not a perfect coin, it has honest wear, but a comparable piece on vcoins costs 3x what i paid in the CNG auction. I really think auctions are the way to go!
That is a great coin Greg. Congrats! The year of the 5 emperors is something I have thought of doing. Congrats on completing the set.
CONGRATULATIONS!!!! I noticed that denarius as well and even briefly bid on it.....but when it rose even higher I realized my remaining budget was less than I thought and had to pass on it. I'm glad it went to someone who can truly appreciate it and give it a good home
That is a very nice coin. There are many, many coins of Pescennius Niger that are not found in the literature and many dies seem to have survived with just one coin. That is consistent with the theory that many were made but they were withdrawn from 'legal tender' status by Septimius who made them 'dangerous to own'. The huge Reka Devnia hoard included zero. 54 Pertinax, 11 Didius, 184 Albinus and 7256 Septimius. Hmmmm. Of course the other theory is the ones in Reka Devnia were pilfered before the count was made??? I have two. The BONI EVINTVS is the only one I have seen while the VICTOR IVST AVG is common. I've seen three.
Congrats on competing your set! Always a good feeling. Perhaps you'd care to post all 5 coins in one thread? I'd be interesting in seeing them together as a set.
The other guys in my set are below (Pertinax, Sep Sev, Didius Julianus and Clodius Albinus). I will be upgrading the last two when i get a chance. I'm very happy with my Pertinax.
Nice group! It may not be an upgrade but why not replace that late Septimius with one from 193? The Albinus is a 194. The only 193 type is PROVID AVG COS but that is not so far off. The lion is ~203. 193 Septimius are common and easy to find.
That's a good idea actually - and that would make a genuine 193AD set. And Sep Severus is quite affordable. Ps I've learnt something about my coins - thanks
Congrats, Smeag => that's a cool Pes-Niger (I always look at those babies when I'm trolling, but they always go beyond my means) congrats again (oh, and it is fantastic having you back in the coin-mix)
congrats greg! that's a nice looking one! yeah, i looked at a few on vcoins just a few days ago...i think you did well!
Yeah, and to think i used to buy everything on vcoins! Some of the vcoins prices have amazing mark-ups. Next i need a Gordian II and an Antinous.
