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Lot 116
Rome. Septimius Severus, 193-211 AD. Gold Aureus (7.13 g), Rome mint, struck 193 AD. Laureate head of Septimius Severus right. Reverse: Legionary eagle between two standards, the standards each with wreath and two insignias, plus forepart of Capricorn at side: LEG X IIII GEM M V; TR P COS in exergue. RIC 14; C. 271; BMCRE 18, and pl. 5, 12 (same dies); cf. Fr-381. Finely styled portrait, well centered on broad flan. Very rare. NGC graded Choice About Uncirculated.
The image here of Severus is among the earliest of his imperial coin portraits. In it we see an idealized likeness, conflated somewhat with the features of his assassinated predecessor, Pertinax (or perhaps even one of the earlier Antonines). This may be due, in part, to there not being ready at the time an official likeness of the newly installed emperor -- a sanctioned model that the die engravers at the mint would work from. But considering the traits and various agendas that attached themselves to Roman Imperial coinage in general, this kind of Pertinax-look-alike rendering may be a deliberate device on Severus' part to portray himself as a relation and heir, and thus the legitimate successor to the unfortunate Pertinax. (If nothing else, Pertinax and Severus were at least comrades-in-arms.) Rome, in a year's time since Pertinax's death in March 28, of 193 A.D. would see the ascension and elimination of two claimants to the imperial throne, with Severus ridding himself of a third in 197 A.D. Attendant with this process was civil war, because of the factions and their partisans.
Born in Leptis Magna in Africa, Severus was a soldier of outstanding ability, rising in command until, at the death of Commodus, he was governor of Upper Pannonia. Severus declared allegiance to Pertinax, but with the latter's murder and the curious case of Didius Julianius literally assuming the throne by outright purchase, the indignation these events aroused in the provinces caused Severus' troops to acclaim him as emperor.
The military nature of Rome was the underlying basis of its empire, but at least the Imperial government maintained the fiction of some of its earlier republican trappings and forms. Severus went beyond this, converting the government into what was basically a military monarchy. The costs of this policy saw the continued debasement of the silver denarius, Rome's most venerable unit of currency. Accompanying this was economic decline and soaring inflation. On his deathbed, Severus, the craftiest of Rome's rulers, advised his two contentious and competitive sons: "Be united, enrich the soldiers, and scorn the rest."
Estimated Value $10,000 - 12,500.
From the Karnak Hoard; ex Commissioner H.G. Gutekunst, J. Hirsch Auc. XXXIV, May 5, 1914, lot no. 1250; ex C.S. Bement Collection, Naville & Cie, Auc. VIII, June 25-28, 1924, lot no. 1159.
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