Leu Numismatik AG
Web Auction 16 22-24 May 2021
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Septimius Severus, 193-211. 'Quadrans' (Bronze, 18 mm, 2.39 g, 6 h), 202. SEVERVS PIVS AVG Laureate head of Septimius Severus to right. Rev. PR-IM / DE-CE / S - C Club; all within wreath. BMC -. Cohen -, cf. 501 = RIC p. 79 note (referring to a similar lead 'quadrans' with Caracalla on the obverse reported by Mionnet). Unpublished and unique. A very unusual coin of great interest. Very fine.
The appearance of this enigmatic decennalian 'quadrans' of Septimius Severus corroborates Mionnet, who reported a similar piece with Caracalla on the obverse. Clearly these are not regular coins, but what they were made for is difficult to say. Perhaps they were produced as a denarius-sized token by the mint of Rome under the auspices of the Senate and handed out on Septimius' decennalia in 202. While this is, admittedly, just a guess, it is worth noting that the reverse is reminiscent of Commodus' Herculi Romano Augusto-series, whereas the club-in-wreath type is much older and goes as far back as Greek bronzes from the 4th century BC devoted to the worship of Herakles-Hercules.
The appearance of this enigmatic decennalian 'quadrans' of Septimius Severus corroborates Mionnet, who reported a similar piece with Caracalla on the obverse. Clearly these are not regular coins, but what they were made for is difficult to say. Perhaps they were produced as a denarius-sized token by the mint of Rome under the auspices of the Senate and handed out on Septimius' decennalia in 202. While this is, admittedly, just a guess, it is worth noting that the reverse is reminiscent of Commodus' Herculi Romano Augusto-series, whereas the club-in-wreath type is much older and goes as far back as Greek bronzes from the 4th century BC devoted to the worship of Herakles-Hercules.