Septimius Severus (AD 193-211). AV aureus (21mm, 7.15 gm, 12h). NGC Choice AU S 5/5 - 5/5. Rome, AD 202-210. SEVERVS-PIVS AVG, laureate head of Septimius Severus right / VOTA SVSCEPT-A XX, Septimius Severus (on left), veiled and togate, standing right, volumen in left hand, sacrificing out of patera in right hand over lit altar, attendant (on right) standing left, lit torch cradled in left arm, aulos player (in center) standing facing. RIC IV.I 309. Calicó 2584. Masterfully struck and centered on gleaming flan. An attractive and interesting type. The figure on the right of the reverse is somewhat ambiguous. RIC and Calico describe the person as Caracalla holding a staff or a spear, which is the convention most catalogers have followed for the very few examples sold in the past 20 years. However if we look at the scene within the context of the reverse legend, one might conclude this is a commemorative issue for Septimius Severus celebrating his vicennalia with the ritual attendants as he performed his sacrificial duties. A nearly identical aureus (RIC IV.I 205), issued under Caracalla for his decennalia, shows the same reverse theme but with Caracalla sacrificing and a victimarius as the figure on the right with an aulos player between.

HID09801242017

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