SEPTIMU SEVERUS SILVER DENARIUS AD 194

[colliewalker1 0]

I have come across this Septimus Severus Silver Denarius "stunning EF" AD 194 coin. It looks as though it has just come from the mint in Ancient Rome

The 'Buy It Now' price is £59- I know I'm only a beginner but to me this seems too good to be true - or are Roman Coins always this cheap?

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie...item=3930046594

[Master Jmd 50]

"stunning EF", AD 194...

That is one of the reasons that i do not trust eBay...even though i have bought from the seller (curlietailz) before with no probs.

[Emperor Oli 0]

It's nothing to do with "trusting" eBay - it's the sellers in whom you must place your trust. They have given high definition photographs and you should grade the coin yourself, and only use the grade they give as a guide. Also, there is no reason not to trust a person with so high a feedback rating.

I know nothing on Roman coins, so I don't even know if EF can be applied, but it looks in stunning condition. Also, it looks like it was previously gilded, as there are hints of gold around the obverse edge beading, between 9 and 12 o'clock. The figure on the reverse also has a gold haze around the edges.

Buy it if you like it!

[Half Penny Jon 0]

I must admit, I love the portraits on ancient greek coins.

[Sylvester 15]

Athenian Owls!

[Sylvester 15]

it looks like it was previously gilded, as there are hints of gold around the obverse edge beading, between 9 and 12 o'clock. The figure on the reverse also has a gold haze around the edges.

I think it's the way the toning has reflected from the light (be it camera light or scanner light).

[colliewalker1 0]

On checking the Ebay site I find that there were NO bids on this coin and nobody took up the 'Buy It Now' option.

I'm very surprised that not one Roman coin enthusiast emerged to buy this one.....

The reference to GREEK coins in some of the replies here puzzle me

[Emperor Oli 0]

An Athenian Owl, what HPJ and Syl were talking about

[Half Penny Jon 0]

Beautiful owl, especially in such high grade!

Edited September 21, 2004 by Half Penny Jon

[welshguy 0]

Regarding the original posting where it is said that the coin appears to have been just minted in Rome...

I have 2 coins......Faustina ll. AD 161-180

Septimus Severus. AD197-8

Dug them out of the ground myself in Shropshire....Both equally as good as the coin depicted on e-bay.

[colliewalker1 0]

Regarding the original posting where it is said that the coin appears to have been just minted in Rome...

What an exciting find - do you often find coins like that.

Any chance of posting images here of the two you mention

[welshguy 0]

I will do scans sometime over the weekend and post them.

They are the only 2 roman silver I have found in 15yrs, but have a nice Charles 1st penny.

Henry Vlll Groat 1529 in stunning condition.

Had 3 Coins of Edward 1st and 2nd, but they went for Treasure Trove...Valuation Committee

awarded me £35 for the 3...Half went to the farmer...Now on display in Swansea Museum.

A nice George 1st. Shilling 1723. SSC.

& several other hammered and early milled coins, but quite worn.

[welshguy 0]

Scans attached......Coins not cleaned, as found,& scanned thru plastic of protecting coin holder but you can get a good idea of condition.

[welshguy 0]

Faustina ll

[welshguy 0]

Septimus

[welshguy 0]

Septimus

[colliewalker1 0]

Scans attached......Coins not cleaned, as found,& scanned thru plastic of protecting coin holder but you can get a good idea of condition.

These coins look in remarkable condition bearing in mind they are uncleaned and scanned through plastic.

The Treasure Trove Valuation Committee must have been feeling in a generous mood when they awarded you the magnificent sum of £35 for the Edward I and Edward II coins........

I am obviously a 'heretic' as regards cleaning - I like cleaned coins( ) although these surprisingly, don't look particularly in need of it!

[Master Jmd 50]

I am obviously a 'heretic' as regards cleaning - I like cleaned coins( ) although these surprisingly, don't look particularly in need of it!

You obviously mean cleaned hammered coins, or coins that have had their dirt removed...you would not like a coin that has been highly cleaned from Fine to BU!

[Chris Perkins 223]

Tut tut JMD, how can you clean a coin from Fine - BU ?

Even the 'lustre' on a highly polished fine coin is different to the lustre on a BU coin.

[Emperor Oli 0]

highly cleaned from Fine to BU!

If I could polish some of my coins from fine to BU, I wouldn't think twice!

[Master Jmd 50]

Tut tut JMD, how can you clean a coin from Fine - BU ?

Even the 'lustre' on a highly polished fine coin is different to the lustre on a BU coin.

I did a little test you see on a Fine, or Almost VF at best, 1965 penny...i used some bronze cleaner used for antiques and left it in a capsual...now the coin looks as good as new with the same amount of same coloured luster as my other BU pennies...

It probably depends on the cleaning method

[Emperor Oli 0]

It can't look as good as new if it was a fine. Polishing doesn't restore detail, it just makes it superficially shiny.

[Master Jmd 50]

It can't look as good as new if it was a fine. Polishing doesn't restore detail, it just makes it superficially shiny.

I didn't say restoring the detail, i said

same amount of same coloured luster as my other BU pennies...

[Emperor Oli 0]

You said it looked as good as new....

[Master Jmd 50]

You said it looked as good as new....

i meant as good as new with the lustre...

...never mind