Stack's Bowers & Ponterio
January 2013 NYINC Sale - Ebert Part II & Sess. C 12 January 2013
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ROMAN EMPIRE
SEPTIMUS SEVERUS, A.D. 193-211. Bimetallic Orichalcum & Bronze Medallion, 42 mm (73.28 gms).
cf.Gnecchi-pl.22,2 (listed only in silver). Lucius Septimius Severus (A.D. 193-211) claimed the Imperial throne by outmaneuvering all rival claims to the title of Emperor. Following the Praetorian Guard’s assassination of the emperor Pertinax, the succession to Emperor was auctioned off to the highest bidder. As one of the wealthiest men in the Empire Didius Julianus made his bid for the throne by promising each soldier in the guard 25,000 sesterces. The Praetorian’s accepted this offer and proclaimed Didius to be the Emperor. When news of this auction reached the three major generals campaigning in the provinces (Pescennius Niger in Syria, Clodius Albinus in Britannia, and Septimius Severus in Pannonia [Danube Frontier]) civil war erupted in the Empire. Quickly securing an alliance with Albinus, Severus marched on Rome and executed Didius Julianus. He then attacked and easily defeated Niger, and as a coup de gras turned on his one-time ally Albinus( who had briefly been declared Caesar under Septimius), defeating him on the Rhine Frontier.
Lucius Septimius Severus was born in a Roman colony in North Africa, Lepcis Magna or Leptis Magna which is the modern day city of Homs, Syria. Growing up here Severus must have been aware of the various enemies of Rome just outside the borders of Roman control and so upon his ascendance to the imperial throne Septimius Severus followed the most successful model of Roman Emperor, the Warlord. Severus laid siege to Byzantium ( A.D.194), led his first war against the Parthian Empire and followed with a second war against the Parthians. After defeating them, Severus accepted the title of Parthicus to commemorate his victory. This is evidenced in the obverse legend of this medallion as PART. MAX. which means Parthicus Maximus. By leading his armies across the provinces and conquering the people who existed beyond the boundaries of the Empire, Septimius gave the soldiers and Roman people the victories and loot they desired. This is evidenced by the inscription around the portrait of Severus stating IMP XI which means he was ‘hailed Imperator’ eleven times. This power correlates to his command of an army, not necessarily his position as Emperor. To this end as well is Severus’ portrait where he is shown in full military dress and most interestingly his left hand is visible, drawn up and resting on the hilt of his sword, possibly a visual metaphor for his relaxed yet controlling grip on the military. After hosting the celebration of his decennalia, which denotes his rule as Emperor for ten years, Severus prepared for a campaign in Africa where he defeated various border tribes. Shortly after this Severus returned to Rome, and then set out on his last expedition, a campaign in present day England. Severus turned his army north to push the aggressive Scottish tribes back. He then fell seriously ill and died in A.D. 211 in Britannia. Severus’ last words of advice to his bickering heirs were “agree with each other, give money to the soldiers (the backbone of the Empire), and scorn all other men.”
The reverse of this medallion contains a few hints that point to its use to dedicate Severus’ campaigns in Africa. The titles around the reverse are as follows: P.M. (pontifex maximus) which is a title held by every emperor signifying their religious power. The next title in sequence is TR. P. XV which denotes Tribunician Power for the fifteenth time. This power, along with COS III (third time as Consul) help date this piece. The last title on the reverse is P.P. which signifies Pater Patriae, “father of the country” showcasing the emperor’s cultural power. This combination of titles leads historians to date this medallion to around A.D. 207. The use of Jupiter (easily identified by the thunderbolt is his right hand) evokes victory, triumph especially good over evil as is seen with the figures being trampled under the hooves of Jupiter’s quadriga. The inscription below the image states IOVI. VICTORI, IOVI translating to Jove, another name for Jupiter. The dating of this piece to around A.D. 207 closely follows Severus’ return to Rome from his African campaigns.
This unique and rare medallion is bimetallic, the outer ring is copper and the inner material is orichalcum, or a yellow brass. Severus must have had it minted in Rome upon his return. This piece represents a key period of Roman victory under a competent conqueror-emperor. Severus knew to keep the military squarely in his pocket, especially with the memory of the auction of the position of the Roman Emperor so fresh in his mind. This medallion signifies the respect (and the money) Severus paid to the military. Sadly, the century following the reign of Severus would be an extremely tumultuous time of rebellion and military anarchy from which Rome would never truly recover.
"L. SEPT. SEVERVS PIVS AVG. IMP. XI PART. MAX." Laureate cuirassed bust right of Septimius Severus aegis on chest, holding sword in left hand; Reverse: "P. M. TR. P. XV COS. III P. P. IOVI VICTORI." Jupiter in fast quadriga right, holding scepter in left hand hurling thunderbolt with right riding down anguipede giant left before, leaning back and brandishing thunderbolt, below horses, second giant on all fours left and pierced by thunderbolt. Exquisite in manner, this massive medallion of the emperor Septimius Severus is believed to be unique struck in this metal. A match to the silver example published in Gnecchi; however, no other examples are known to have been published in this bimetallic composition of orichalcum with a bronze ring. It's artistry and style remain unmatched with the likeness of Severus portrayed in full military cuirass ornamented with a gorgonian head as the central feature. It features a unique feature in regards to numismatic portraitures of the emperor, as his extended left hand is shown brandishing a sword. This exceptional masterpiece is considered by many to be the most remarkable portrait of the emperor on a numismatic item.EXTREMELY FINE.
Estimate: $75000
SEPTIMUS SEVERUS, A.D. 193-211. Bimetallic Orichalcum & Bronze Medallion, 42 mm (73.28 gms).
cf.Gnecchi-pl.22,2 (listed only in silver). Lucius Septimius Severus (A.D. 193-211) claimed the Imperial throne by outmaneuvering all rival claims to the title of Emperor. Following the Praetorian Guard’s assassination of the emperor Pertinax, the succession to Emperor was auctioned off to the highest bidder. As one of the wealthiest men in the Empire Didius Julianus made his bid for the throne by promising each soldier in the guard 25,000 sesterces. The Praetorian’s accepted this offer and proclaimed Didius to be the Emperor. When news of this auction reached the three major generals campaigning in the provinces (Pescennius Niger in Syria, Clodius Albinus in Britannia, and Septimius Severus in Pannonia [Danube Frontier]) civil war erupted in the Empire. Quickly securing an alliance with Albinus, Severus marched on Rome and executed Didius Julianus. He then attacked and easily defeated Niger, and as a coup de gras turned on his one-time ally Albinus( who had briefly been declared Caesar under Septimius), defeating him on the Rhine Frontier.
Lucius Septimius Severus was born in a Roman colony in North Africa, Lepcis Magna or Leptis Magna which is the modern day city of Homs, Syria. Growing up here Severus must have been aware of the various enemies of Rome just outside the borders of Roman control and so upon his ascendance to the imperial throne Septimius Severus followed the most successful model of Roman Emperor, the Warlord. Severus laid siege to Byzantium ( A.D.194), led his first war against the Parthian Empire and followed with a second war against the Parthians. After defeating them, Severus accepted the title of Parthicus to commemorate his victory. This is evidenced in the obverse legend of this medallion as PART. MAX. which means Parthicus Maximus. By leading his armies across the provinces and conquering the people who existed beyond the boundaries of the Empire, Septimius gave the soldiers and Roman people the victories and loot they desired. This is evidenced by the inscription around the portrait of Severus stating IMP XI which means he was ‘hailed Imperator’ eleven times. This power correlates to his command of an army, not necessarily his position as Emperor. To this end as well is Severus’ portrait where he is shown in full military dress and most interestingly his left hand is visible, drawn up and resting on the hilt of his sword, possibly a visual metaphor for his relaxed yet controlling grip on the military. After hosting the celebration of his decennalia, which denotes his rule as Emperor for ten years, Severus prepared for a campaign in Africa where he defeated various border tribes. Shortly after this Severus returned to Rome, and then set out on his last expedition, a campaign in present day England. Severus turned his army north to push the aggressive Scottish tribes back. He then fell seriously ill and died in A.D. 211 in Britannia. Severus’ last words of advice to his bickering heirs were “agree with each other, give money to the soldiers (the backbone of the Empire), and scorn all other men.”
The reverse of this medallion contains a few hints that point to its use to dedicate Severus’ campaigns in Africa. The titles around the reverse are as follows: P.M. (pontifex maximus) which is a title held by every emperor signifying their religious power. The next title in sequence is TR. P. XV which denotes Tribunician Power for the fifteenth time. This power, along with COS III (third time as Consul) help date this piece. The last title on the reverse is P.P. which signifies Pater Patriae, “father of the country” showcasing the emperor’s cultural power. This combination of titles leads historians to date this medallion to around A.D. 207. The use of Jupiter (easily identified by the thunderbolt is his right hand) evokes victory, triumph especially good over evil as is seen with the figures being trampled under the hooves of Jupiter’s quadriga. The inscription below the image states IOVI. VICTORI, IOVI translating to Jove, another name for Jupiter. The dating of this piece to around A.D. 207 closely follows Severus’ return to Rome from his African campaigns.
This unique and rare medallion is bimetallic, the outer ring is copper and the inner material is orichalcum, or a yellow brass. Severus must have had it minted in Rome upon his return. This piece represents a key period of Roman victory under a competent conqueror-emperor. Severus knew to keep the military squarely in his pocket, especially with the memory of the auction of the position of the Roman Emperor so fresh in his mind. This medallion signifies the respect (and the money) Severus paid to the military. Sadly, the century following the reign of Severus would be an extremely tumultuous time of rebellion and military anarchy from which Rome would never truly recover.
"L. SEPT. SEVERVS PIVS AVG. IMP. XI PART. MAX." Laureate cuirassed bust right of Septimius Severus aegis on chest, holding sword in left hand; Reverse: "P. M. TR. P. XV COS. III P. P. IOVI VICTORI." Jupiter in fast quadriga right, holding scepter in left hand hurling thunderbolt with right riding down anguipede giant left before, leaning back and brandishing thunderbolt, below horses, second giant on all fours left and pierced by thunderbolt. Exquisite in manner, this massive medallion of the emperor Septimius Severus is believed to be unique struck in this metal. A match to the silver example published in Gnecchi; however, no other examples are known to have been published in this bimetallic composition of orichalcum with a bronze ring. It's artistry and style remain unmatched with the likeness of Severus portrayed in full military cuirass ornamented with a gorgonian head as the central feature. It features a unique feature in regards to numismatic portraitures of the emperor, as his extended left hand is shown brandishing a sword. This exceptional masterpiece is considered by many to be the most remarkable portrait of the emperor on a numismatic item.EXTREMELY FINE.
Estimate: $75000