ROMAN & BYZANTINE COINS
Septimius Severus, 193-211. Denarius (Silver, 19mm, 3.26 g 7), Rome, c. 204. SEVERVS PIVS AVG Laureate head of Septimius Severus to right. Rev. INDVLGENTIA AVGG IN CARTH Dea Caelestis, holding thunderbolt in her right hand and scepter with her left, seated facing on lion leaping to right, with crag to left and water below. BMC 335. Cohen 222. RIC 266. An attractive piece, lightly toned. Extremely fine.
The meaning of the reverse scene has been taken to refer to Severus' construction of an aqueduct in Carthage, but it also may symbolize the African emperor's move to Rome by showing the goddess of Carthage traveling over the waves of the Mediterranean to the north.