AR Denarius, 17 x 19 mm, 2.33 g, 12h, Rome mint c. CE 203-208
RIC Geta 47 (R)
BMC p. 245 note 454 ("The denarius quoted by C.86 is very doubtful")
RSC 86
On 9 Oct. 1991 Curtis Clay (who is revising RIC for Septimius Severus and family) wrote to the prior owner stating that this example was only the second known example. The G. R. Arnold collection did not have one. (CNG sold an example in 2013 for $2,200).
O: P SEPTIMIVS GETA CAES, bare headed draped bust right
R; MINERVAE VICTRICI, Minerva, helmeted, draped, advancing left, brandishing javelin in right hand and holding shield in left hand; at her feet, snake preceding her.
Since this posting, a third example has been identified and was sold by Leu Numismatik at Web Auction 24 on 3 December 2022, lot #2954. The hammer price was 1800 CHF (USD $2,015.76, 2023 conversion). The Leu write up indicates "From the Red Ox Collection and the collection of the Czech musician Adolf Picek (circa 1885-1978), and formerly in the possession of an Italian banker, whose life was saved by Mr. Picek in the Battles of the Piave River on the Italian Front in 1917-1918 and who presented his savior with 'four socks of old coins' in reward." This example was the second to appear at auction in nine years, since the aforementioned CNG sale in 2013.
From a review of these three coins, it appears that the reverse die is the same in all three examples, though the obverse die appears the same in the CNG and above example, but different in the Leu example. So, at least two obverse dies were utilized and one reverse die.
Ex: Warren Esty Collection
Ex: ANA Chicago 1991, London Coin Galleries (CA)
