Numismatica Ars Classica
Auction 135 21 Nov 2022
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The Roman Empire. Septimius Severus, 193 – 211.
Aureus 201, AV 7.35 g. SEVERVS AVG – PART MAX Laureate head r. Rev. IVLIA – AVGVSTA Draped bust r. C –. BMC 192 note. RIC 161a. Calicó 2588.
Rare. Two superb portraits of fine style and a lovely light reddish tone. About extremely fine
Ex Leu Winterthur sale 8, 2021, Hans Krähenbühl, 320. Previously privately purchased from Leu on 10th November 1967.
This aureus, struck in AD 201, has the dual purpose of celebrating the victory of Septimius Severus in his wars against the Parthian Empire and of advertising the illusory stability of the Severan dynasty. In AD 195 he won victories over the Parthian vassal states of Osrhoene and Adiabene, and in AD 197-199 continued the conflict by striking at the very heart of the Parthian empire and even managing to sack the capital at Ctesiphon. Following this signal victory, Severus assumed the honorific title of Parthicus Maximus and returned to Rome, where he celebrated a great triumph in AD 200. This coin may have been struck from booty carried off by the victorious legions of Severus. It was almost certainly produced in the aftermath of the Parthian triumph as a reward for the army that had brought victory to the emperor. The obverse legend emphasizes the victory by omitting other imperial titulature in order to give adequate space for PART MAX. The reverse, however, features a portrait of Severus' wife, the Augusta Julia Domna. She had been married to Severus since before he seized imperial power in AD 193 and frequently followed him with the army while on campaign. She was beloved by the soldiery and in AD 195 received the honorary title of Mater Castrorum. It is believed that Domna accompanied her husband during the Parthian war of 195-199 and therefore participated to some limited extent in the victory. Her prominence on the coin also serves to conjure images of a stable dynasty and therefore future security for the Roman Empire, since she had provided Severus with two male heirs, Caracalla and Geta (Caracalla had also participated in the Parthian war.) Unfortunately, the Severan family was not so happy as coin types liked to make out. The sons of Severus and Domna actually hated each other and after the death of their father, Caracalla arranged the murder of his brother.
Graded Ch XF Strike 5/5 Surface 3/5, NGC certification number 6556714-047
Aureus 201, AV 7.35 g. SEVERVS AVG – PART MAX Laureate head r. Rev. IVLIA – AVGVSTA Draped bust r. C –. BMC 192 note. RIC 161a. Calicó 2588.
Rare. Two superb portraits of fine style and a lovely light reddish tone. About extremely fine
Ex Leu Winterthur sale 8, 2021, Hans Krähenbühl, 320. Previously privately purchased from Leu on 10th November 1967.
This aureus, struck in AD 201, has the dual purpose of celebrating the victory of Septimius Severus in his wars against the Parthian Empire and of advertising the illusory stability of the Severan dynasty. In AD 195 he won victories over the Parthian vassal states of Osrhoene and Adiabene, and in AD 197-199 continued the conflict by striking at the very heart of the Parthian empire and even managing to sack the capital at Ctesiphon. Following this signal victory, Severus assumed the honorific title of Parthicus Maximus and returned to Rome, where he celebrated a great triumph in AD 200. This coin may have been struck from booty carried off by the victorious legions of Severus. It was almost certainly produced in the aftermath of the Parthian triumph as a reward for the army that had brought victory to the emperor. The obverse legend emphasizes the victory by omitting other imperial titulature in order to give adequate space for PART MAX. The reverse, however, features a portrait of Severus' wife, the Augusta Julia Domna. She had been married to Severus since before he seized imperial power in AD 193 and frequently followed him with the army while on campaign. She was beloved by the soldiery and in AD 195 received the honorary title of Mater Castrorum. It is believed that Domna accompanied her husband during the Parthian war of 195-199 and therefore participated to some limited extent in the victory. Her prominence on the coin also serves to conjure images of a stable dynasty and therefore future security for the Roman Empire, since she had provided Severus with two male heirs, Caracalla and Geta (Caracalla had also participated in the Parthian war.) Unfortunately, the Severan family was not so happy as coin types liked to make out. The sons of Severus and Domna actually hated each other and after the death of their father, Caracalla arranged the murder of his brother.
Graded Ch XF Strike 5/5 Surface 3/5, NGC certification number 6556714-047