Numismatica Ars Classica
Auction 138 18-19 May 2023
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Septimius Severus, 193 – 211.
Aureus circa 209, AV 7.20 g. SEVERVS – PIVS AVG Laureate head r. Rev. LIBERALIT – AS Septimius Severus, Caracalla and Geta seated l. on platform; Liberalitas standing before and officer standing behind; citizen climbing steps on platform; in exergue, AVG G VI. C 300 var. (on reverse AVG VI). BMC 352. RIC 279 var. (on reverse AVG VI). Calicó 2481 (these dies).
Very rare and a very interesting and symbolic issue. Struck on
a very large flan and extremely fine
Ex NAC sale 78, 2014, 1033.
Platform scenes, comprising a variety of formal events, such as donatives and speeches, are among the most sought-after of all reverse types. Typically they are ornate, can be tied to specific historical events, and often the physiognomic features of Imperial personages can be divined. In this case we have a truly historical type depicting the donative that accompanied the promotion of Geta from Caesar to Augustus. Though the coin was struck in Rome, the investiture took place in Britain, presumably at the frontier city of York, which the Severans made their base of operations for the campaign against the Caledonians. In truth it was not necessary for Severus to lead the campaign personally, but he did so to get his quarrelling sons, who accompanied him, out of Rome. The ageing emperor hoped that the experience might help bring perspective to matters and inspire a new harmony between his sons, but his hopes were in vain. Severus died at York early in February, 211 after having made no headway on the matter. This scene of a donative to the army is especially relevant to this late period of Severus' life considering his parting wisdom to his sons was: "Agree with each other, give money to the soldiers, and scorn all other men."
Aureus circa 209, AV 7.20 g. SEVERVS – PIVS AVG Laureate head r. Rev. LIBERALIT – AS Septimius Severus, Caracalla and Geta seated l. on platform; Liberalitas standing before and officer standing behind; citizen climbing steps on platform; in exergue, AVG G VI. C 300 var. (on reverse AVG VI). BMC 352. RIC 279 var. (on reverse AVG VI). Calicó 2481 (these dies).
Very rare and a very interesting and symbolic issue. Struck on
a very large flan and extremely fine
Ex NAC sale 78, 2014, 1033.
Platform scenes, comprising a variety of formal events, such as donatives and speeches, are among the most sought-after of all reverse types. Typically they are ornate, can be tied to specific historical events, and often the physiognomic features of Imperial personages can be divined. In this case we have a truly historical type depicting the donative that accompanied the promotion of Geta from Caesar to Augustus. Though the coin was struck in Rome, the investiture took place in Britain, presumably at the frontier city of York, which the Severans made their base of operations for the campaign against the Caledonians. In truth it was not necessary for Severus to lead the campaign personally, but he did so to get his quarrelling sons, who accompanied him, out of Rome. The ageing emperor hoped that the experience might help bring perspective to matters and inspire a new harmony between his sons, but his hopes were in vain. Severus died at York early in February, 211 after having made no headway on the matter. This scene of a donative to the army is especially relevant to this late period of Severus' life considering his parting wisdom to his sons was: "Agree with each other, give money to the soldiers, and scorn all other men."