Watch List notes:

The Roman Empire
Septimius Severus, 193 – 211

Denarius 202-210, AR 3.11 g. SEVERVS – PIVS AVG Laureate head r. Rev. PROVIDENTIA Head of Medusa facing on aegis. C 591. BMC 357. RIC 286.
Extremely rare and a very interesting reverse type. Light iridescent
tone and good very fine / about extremely fine


Ex NAC sale 25, 2003, 507.

This reverse type, though dramatic, at first glance seems non-specific. From this we might presume its meaning was sufficiently clear at the time that the mint masters did not see the need to specify its meaning. The Medusa and Medusa-upon-Aegis types occur on precious metal coins of Septimius Severus and Caracalla, all of which perhaps belong to c. 207 since one of them names the 15th renewal of Severus' tribunician power in its reverse inscription. The obverses of all of these issues are comparable, and are contemporary. The meaning of this type seems fairly clear: it is a reference to the foresight of the two Augusti, Septimius and Caracalla, in their preparation to invade Britain in the following year, 208. Not only does the inscription name their foresight, their providentia, but Medusa was sacred to Minerva, the protectress of heroes who is said to have come forth from the brain of Jupiter fully armed and of mature age. Minerva is said to have worn the Aegis as a protective garment and as a symbol of her bravery, and eventually to have placed the snake-haired head of Medusa upon it. The emperors were fond of this imagery and many adopted it by adorning their cuirass breastplates with the Medusa head. One might consider these Medusa issues as pre-campaign propaganda by which the emperors hoped to assure the people and the army that they had fully investigated the need for, and felt confident in the certainty of success of a war against the Britons. This particular type with the small Medusa head within a large Aegis is the rarest of the variants and seemingly is known only for denarii of Septimius Severus.