SEPTIMIUS SEVERUS, (A.D. 193-211), silver denarius, Rome mint, issued 193, (2.98 g), obv. laureate head to right of Septimius Severus, around IMP CAE L SEP S EV PERT AVG, rev. Legionary eagle between two standards, around LEG III ITAL, TR P COS in exergue, (cf.S.6298, RIC 7, RSC 262). Toned, good very fine and very rare legionary number.
The Legion III Italica ("The Italian Legion") was founded in 165 or 166 to support Marcus Aurelius in his war against Germanic Marcomanni. The third was to operate on the western front and was named Concors (harmonious). This legion recognised Severus when he was proclaimed emperor and joined the march on Rome. Various sub units of the legion were employed against Percennius Niger and Clodius Albinus. It is one of the rarest in the entire series.