Watch List notes:

The Roman Empire
Septimius Severus, 193 – 211. Aureus, Roma 202-210, AV 6.89 g.

Description: SEVERVS – PIVS AVG Laureate head r. Rev. PACATOR – ORBIS Draped bust of Sol r.

References: C 355
BMC 353
RIC 282
Calicó 2487a (this reverse die)
Condition:Very rare and in exceptional condition for the issue. Two superb portraits of fine style struck in high relief on a full flan. Good extremely fine
Provenance: Heritage sale 3033, 2014, 23092

Note: This spectacular aureus of Septimius Severus with the reverse legend PACATOR ORBIS and accompanying radiate and draped bust of the sun god, Sol, declares him as the restorer of peace to the Roman world. It is commemorative in nature, having been struck late in A.D. 207 but refers to Septimius' successful repulsion of the Parthian invasion of the eastern Roman provinces a decade earlier in A.D. 197. The figure of Sol thus serves as a reminder of the Roman victory by its connotations to Rome's eastern border, where the sun god begins his ascent through the heavens each day, but also implies a radiant brilliance to the Severan dynasty. Additionally, we know that the cult of Sol Invictus (the Unconquered Sun) was brought back to Rome when Septimius returned there after his eastern campaign. The type is also found on rare silver denarii of Septimius (RIC 282) as well on even rarer aurei and denarii (RIC 163) of his son and co-emperor, Caracalla, but over the next several decades and especially under Postumus, Aurelian and Constantine I, Sol became a regular feature on Roman coinage, at times even serving as the companion (comes, e.g., Soli Comiti Augusti or Soli Invicto Comiti Augusti) to the emperor.