Septimius Severus. AD 193-211. AV Aureus (21mm, 7.24 g, 12h). Rome mint. Struck AD 207. SEVERVS PIVS AVG, laureate head right / P M TR P XV COSIII P P, distyle temple; within, Aesculapius standing facing between two serpents erect, holding a serpent-entwined wand. RIC IV 205; Calicó 2511 (same dies as illustration); BMCRE p. 262, note †; Biaggi 1094 (same dies). Underlying luster, shallow scratches. Good VF. Extremely rare. Only one example in CoinArchives.
Aesculapius, the god of healing, is depicted in his temple, which was located on Tiber Island in Rome. Built circa 290 BC, according to legend the location was marked by a snake that slithered out of a ship and into a grotto on the island, indicating the god's favor. Remains of the temple can still be seen on the island today. The Severans all counted Aesculapius among their patron deities and featured him on their coinage.