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Roman Empire. Septimius Severus. Aureus 201, AV 7.27g.

Currency:CHF Category:Coins & Paper Money / Coins: Ancient Start Price:28,000.00 CHF Estimated At:35,000.00 CHF
Roman Empire. Septimius Severus. Aureus 201, AV 7.27g.
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The Roman Empire. Septimius Severus, 193–211. Aureus 201, AV 7.27g. SEVERVS AVG–PART MAX Laureate bust r., lion’s skin over shoulders. Rev. IVLIA–AVGVSTA Draped bust r. C 1. BMC 192. RIC 161b. Calicó 2587 (this obverse die). Very rare. Two magnificent portraits of excellent style. Virtually as struck and almost Fdc. Ex Leu 50, 1990, 332; CNG 38, 1996, 1040; Triton I, 1997, 1531and NAC 24, 2002, European Nobleman, 131 sales. Beginning in 201 and extending through the following year there was a tremendous emission of coinage bearing dynastic types. After so many years of civil war and social turmoil, Septimius Severus thought it prudent to publicise the dynasty he had founded, and the stability that it represented to the Roman people. The portrait of Septimius Severus on this coin is particularly interesting as the style of the hair and beard derives from the iconography of the Alexandrian god Serapis. This is meant to illustrate Severus’ identification with this African god, as he himself was a Roman of African extraction. The reverse bears a portrait of his wife, Julia Domna, who was of Syrian origin.