Ancient Roman Silver Septimus Severus Amulet Pendant - Subaeratus (Fourrée) (No reserve price)
14
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15
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Current bid
€ 20
No reserve price
Expert
Selected by Peter Reynaers
Has nearly 30 years’ experience and moderated multiple online art research groups.
Estimate € 210 - € 250
 | €20 | |
|---|---|---|
 | €15 | |
| €5 | |
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Ancient Roman Septimius Severus amulet pendant, a silver fourrée (subaeratus) dating to ca. 193–211 AD, in good condition with a diameter of about 18.1 mm.
AI-assisted summary
Description from the seller
Attention: due to customs regulations we can only ship inside the European Union. Please ensure you have a valid EU shipping address before placing a bid.
Ancient Roman subaeratus coin of Septimus Severus, converted in antiquity into a pendant. The coin is now fixed with a modern suspension ring and modern leather jewellery cord.
Obverse: Laureate head of Septimus Severus facing right.
Reverse: Winged Victory hovering left, holding an open wreath in both hands above a round shield, mounted on a low stand.
-> A fourrée (or subaeratus) is an ancient counterfeit coin produced with a base metal core, typically copper or bronze, and covered with a thin layer of precious metal, such as silver or gold, to look like a solid official issue.
These coins were created during antiquity by contemporary counterfeiters, or occasionally by official mints trying to stretch resources during economic crises. Today, they are easily recognized when the outer plating wears away or corrodes, exposing the darker base metal underneath. Despite being ancient forgeries, fourrées are highly collectible today as fascinating historical artifacts that reflect the economic conditions and criminal history of the ancient world.
Diameter: ± 18.1 mm
Condition: good solid condition, attractive dark patina. Minor surface irregularities and signs of wear consistent with age and use.
Certificate of Authenticity (PDF) is available upon request for all lots with a hammer price of €100 or higher.
-> Septimus Severus: seized power after the death of Pertinax in 193 AD ('Year of the Five Emperors'). He travelled to Britain in 208 AD and strengthened Hadrian's Wall. He is considered a strong and able ruler, the Roman Empire reached its greatest extent under his reign. He was succeeded by his sons Caracalla and Geta.
-> Piercing a coin to wear as an amulet is an ancient custom that transforms a piece of currency into a protective talisman or jewellery. Individuals drilled a hole near the edge of a coin to suspend it from a cord or sew it onto clothing, shifting its purpose from financial trade to spiritual defence.
This practice relied on the symbolic power of the coin's imagery or metal to safeguard the wearer. Coins featuring gods, holy figures, or powerful rulers were believed to channel divine protection and ward off evil, while precious metals like gold and silver were often thought to hold natural healing properties. By wearing these potent symbols directly against the body, people created intimate objects of faith, status, and personal identity.
Catawiki disclaimer:
This object has been carefully examined for its material and surface characteristics.
Laboratory analysis (e.g. XRF) is not routinely undertaken in private collecting, and destructive testing is avoided as it causes permanent damage to archaeological material.
Before modern hallmarking, gold and silver alloys varied depending on local resources, recycling practices and economic conditions.
Seller's Story
Please read our information carefully.
*SHIPPING INFO Due to insurance procedures, combined shipping is only possible with a single payment. (1 payment reference = 1 insured parcel.) If you accept an offer after the auction and pay separately, shipments cannot be manually combined afterward. Please ensure your shipping address is complete and correct before paying. Changes made after payment are not automatically forwarded to us.
* CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICITY (COA) For insurance purposes we can provide a digital Certificate of Authenticity (PDF) for every item with a hammer price of Euro 100 or more. The COA is available upon request within 20 days of the auction date. Instructions will be provided when your order is shipped. Certificates are not included in the package.
* INSURANCE & CLAIMS All our parcels are shipped with external insurance. This insurance requires the following:
-> Monitor the online tracking and notify delays to the seller within 14 days after the shipping date.
-> In case of damage: write a reservation on the delivery note and report the damage to the seller via the Catawiki online chat within 24 hours. Keep all packaging and send us photos of the damage.
* MARGIN SCHEME: All our sales are subject to the margin scheme; therefore, no VAT is charged or shown on our invoices.
* IMPORTANT BUYERS OUTSIDE THE EU: We cannot ship to countries outside the European Union. Please ensure you have an EU shipping address before bidding. No exceptions can be made. Switzerland, Norway and the United Kingdom are not part of the EU.
* DOCUMENTATION NOTICE: Previous invoices and import/export documents will not be shared with customers.
----------------------
Thank you for your interest, and best of luck with your bids!
Attention: due to customs regulations we can only ship inside the European Union. Please ensure you have a valid EU shipping address before placing a bid.
Ancient Roman subaeratus coin of Septimus Severus, converted in antiquity into a pendant. The coin is now fixed with a modern suspension ring and modern leather jewellery cord.
Obverse: Laureate head of Septimus Severus facing right.
Reverse: Winged Victory hovering left, holding an open wreath in both hands above a round shield, mounted on a low stand.
-> A fourrée (or subaeratus) is an ancient counterfeit coin produced with a base metal core, typically copper or bronze, and covered with a thin layer of precious metal, such as silver or gold, to look like a solid official issue.
These coins were created during antiquity by contemporary counterfeiters, or occasionally by official mints trying to stretch resources during economic crises. Today, they are easily recognized when the outer plating wears away or corrodes, exposing the darker base metal underneath. Despite being ancient forgeries, fourrées are highly collectible today as fascinating historical artifacts that reflect the economic conditions and criminal history of the ancient world.
Diameter: ± 18.1 mm
Condition: good solid condition, attractive dark patina. Minor surface irregularities and signs of wear consistent with age and use.
Certificate of Authenticity (PDF) is available upon request for all lots with a hammer price of €100 or higher.
-> Septimus Severus: seized power after the death of Pertinax in 193 AD ('Year of the Five Emperors'). He travelled to Britain in 208 AD and strengthened Hadrian's Wall. He is considered a strong and able ruler, the Roman Empire reached its greatest extent under his reign. He was succeeded by his sons Caracalla and Geta.
-> Piercing a coin to wear as an amulet is an ancient custom that transforms a piece of currency into a protective talisman or jewellery. Individuals drilled a hole near the edge of a coin to suspend it from a cord or sew it onto clothing, shifting its purpose from financial trade to spiritual defence.
This practice relied on the symbolic power of the coin's imagery or metal to safeguard the wearer. Coins featuring gods, holy figures, or powerful rulers were believed to channel divine protection and ward off evil, while precious metals like gold and silver were often thought to hold natural healing properties. By wearing these potent symbols directly against the body, people created intimate objects of faith, status, and personal identity.
Catawiki disclaimer:
This object has been carefully examined for its material and surface characteristics.
Laboratory analysis (e.g. XRF) is not routinely undertaken in private collecting, and destructive testing is avoided as it causes permanent damage to archaeological material.
Before modern hallmarking, gold and silver alloys varied depending on local resources, recycling practices and economic conditions.
Seller's Story
Please read our information carefully.
*SHIPPING INFO Due to insurance procedures, combined shipping is only possible with a single payment. (1 payment reference = 1 insured parcel.) If you accept an offer after the auction and pay separately, shipments cannot be manually combined afterward. Please ensure your shipping address is complete and correct before paying. Changes made after payment are not automatically forwarded to us.
* CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICITY (COA) For insurance purposes we can provide a digital Certificate of Authenticity (PDF) for every item with a hammer price of Euro 100 or more. The COA is available upon request within 20 days of the auction date. Instructions will be provided when your order is shipped. Certificates are not included in the package.
* INSURANCE & CLAIMS All our parcels are shipped with external insurance. This insurance requires the following:
-> Monitor the online tracking and notify delays to the seller within 14 days after the shipping date.
-> In case of damage: write a reservation on the delivery note and report the damage to the seller via the Catawiki online chat within 24 hours. Keep all packaging and send us photos of the damage.
* MARGIN SCHEME: All our sales are subject to the margin scheme; therefore, no VAT is charged or shown on our invoices.
* IMPORTANT BUYERS OUTSIDE THE EU: We cannot ship to countries outside the European Union. Please ensure you have an EU shipping address before bidding. No exceptions can be made. Switzerland, Norway and the United Kingdom are not part of the EU.
* DOCUMENTATION NOTICE: Previous invoices and import/export documents will not be shared with customers.
----------------------
Thank you for your interest, and best of luck with your bids!
Details
Culture
Ancient Roman
Century/timeframe
193-211 AD
Name of object
Septimus Severus Amulet Pendant - Subaeratus (Fourrée)
Acquired from
Dealer at a fair
Year acquired
2023
Material
Silver
Country acquired from
Netherlands
Condition
Good
Previous owner acquired from
Dealer at a fair
Previous owner - year acquired
2023
Previous owner - country acquired from
Netherlands
I verify that I have obtained this object legally and that I am allowed to sell it
Yes
Authenticity
Original/official
Sold by
Disclaimer
The seller was informed by Catawiki about documentation requirements and guarantees the following: - the object was legally obtained, - the seller has the right to sell and/or export the object, as relevant, - the seller will provide the necessary provenance information and arrange required documentation and permits/licenses, as applicable and as per local laws, - the seller will notify the buyer of any delays in obtaining permits/licenses. By bidding, you acknowledge that import documentation may be required depending on your country of residence and that obtaining permits/licenses may cause delays in the delivery of your object.
The seller was informed by Catawiki about documentation requirements and guarantees the following: - the object was legally obtained, - the seller has the right to sell and/or export the object, as relevant, - the seller will provide the necessary provenance information and arrange required documentation and permits/licenses, as applicable and as per local laws, - the seller will notify the buyer of any delays in obtaining permits/licenses. By bidding, you acknowledge that import documentation may be required depending on your country of residence and that obtaining permits/licenses may cause delays in the delivery of your object.
