Marsyas Mike Posted February 1 · Member Share Posted February 1 A new Septimius Severus sestertius (say that 3 times fast) recently came my way and I was hoping for a little help with it. First off, I can't find another example of it - OCRE has one noted, but no examples. It is RIC IV 729a, with laureate head (no drapery or cuirass) right and Securitas seated left. numismatics.org/ocre/id/ric.4.ss.729a The closest I came is an MAShops (Münzhandlung André Cichos) example. This one has a loop of "slight drapery" so it is not really a "head only" type. https://www.ma-shops.com/cichos/item.php?id=8285 The only other "head only" type I found was an unlisted dupondius (radiate crown): https://www.acsearch.info/search.html?id=1757089 This type with a draped and cuirassed bust is RIC IV 729c is described by OCRE as laureate, draped and "sometimes cuirassed." This draped and cuirassed type is scarce too - OCRE has none, but I found a couple online, auctions, etc. Here is one at Marc Breitsprecher's site: https://mrbcoins.com/cgi-bin/lotinfo.pl?id=56935 Here is the British Museum example: https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/C_R-15750 Here is mine - head only (20.59 grams / 28 mm): My question has to do with the reverse. What is going on here? At first I thought it was a a strike-over or double-strike from the same dies. But what is that S doing in the field? The "original" coin clearly has the SC in the exergue. (Note some of the cuirassed types have the SC in the fields, not exergue - see Breitsprecher example above). Also, Severus's beard on the obverse is faintly doubled. More photos: So is this struck over another type altogether? Something like this happening on Postumus sestertii I've seen, but does this happen on Severan sestertii? Any clarifications greatly appreciated. And if there are any other SS Securitas seated sestertii out there, I'd love to see another one. 8 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Curtisimo Posted February 2 · Supporter Share Posted February 2 Interesting coin. It sure looks like an overstrike to me. Possibly over another seated Securitas flipped 180 degrees. 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roman Collector Posted February 2 · Patron Share Posted February 2 It must be an overstrike on a previous issue. Think of something issued under Commodus. Perhaps something like BMCRE 630. 2 1 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marsyas Mike Posted February 2 · Member Author Share Posted February 2 3 hours ago, Roman Collector said: It must be an overstrike on a previous issue. Think of something issued under Commodus. Perhaps something like BMCRE 630. Very interesting suggestion, RC. I hadn't been thinking earlier issues, but it makes sense - thank you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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