The New York Sale
Auction 54 11 Jan 2022
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Septimius Severus, with Caracalla and Geta, as Caesar. Silver Denarius (3.04 g), AD 193-211. Rome, AD 201. SEVERVS PIVS AVG, laureate head of Septimius Severus right. Reverse: AETERNIT IMPERI, confronted busts of Caracalla, on left, laureate, draped and cuirassed, and Geta, on right, bare-headed, draped and cuirassed. RIC 251; BMC -; RSC 6. Very Rare. Toned and perfectly centered. Very Fine. Estimated Value $700 - UP
This beautiful and rare coin belongs to the dynastic series issued by Septimius Severus as a sign that after years of civil war, the Empire would again enjoy stability. The succession was made secure by his two sons, Caracalla and Geta, who were trained as his successors and are depicted on the reverse. The legend surrounding their portraits, which refers to "everlasting [Roman] rule" leaves no doubt about Severan dynastic pretensions. Unfortunately, the stability that Severus wished to present was largely a sham as a terrible sibling rivalry existed between Caracalla and Geta. Despite their father's best efforts to heal the rift between the brothers, the gulf only widened over time, and after the emperor's death in AD 211 his sons did not last a year sharing power before Caracalla murdered Geta, destroying the dynastic image that Septimius Severus had crafted.
Peter Corcoran Collection, Ex Leo Benz Collection (Lanz 100, 20 November 2000), 47.
This beautiful and rare coin belongs to the dynastic series issued by Septimius Severus as a sign that after years of civil war, the Empire would again enjoy stability. The succession was made secure by his two sons, Caracalla and Geta, who were trained as his successors and are depicted on the reverse. The legend surrounding their portraits, which refers to "everlasting [Roman] rule" leaves no doubt about Severan dynastic pretensions. Unfortunately, the stability that Severus wished to present was largely a sham as a terrible sibling rivalry existed between Caracalla and Geta. Despite their father's best efforts to heal the rift between the brothers, the gulf only widened over time, and after the emperor's death in AD 211 his sons did not last a year sharing power before Caracalla murdered Geta, destroying the dynastic image that Septimius Severus had crafted.
Peter Corcoran Collection, Ex Leo Benz Collection (Lanz 100, 20 November 2000), 47.