Severus II caesar, 305 – 306
Aureus Nicomedia 305-July 306, AV 5.27 g. SEVERVS – NOB CAES Laureate head r. Rev. MARTI PA – TRI NK Mars, helmeted, standing facing, head l., r. hand resting on shield and l. leaning on spear; in exergue, SMN. C 55. RIC 34. Depeyrot 9/3 var. (CAESAR). Calicó 4996.
Very rare and in exceptional condition for this difficult issue. A bold portrait of
excellent style struck on a full flan. Minor marks, otherwise extremely fine

Ex Tkalec 23 October 1998, 325 and Triton XX, 2017, 850 sales. From the Continental collection.

Severus II certainly ranks among the least fortunate of the rulers of the Tetrarchic period. When Diocletian and Maximian abdicated their thrones in 305, their loyal Caesars, Constantius I and Galerius, assumed the vacant titles of Augustus, and in turn selected replacement Caesars. For himself Galerius chose his nephew Maximinus Daia, and for Constantius I he chose his old comrade-in-arms Severus II (though Constantius was Senior Augustus, the true power was held by Galerius, who had the ear of Diocletian). Passed over in all of this was Maxentius, son of the just-retired emperor Maximian. Incensed at the turn of events, Maxentius revolted in Rome, first declaring himself Princeps and Caesar, and soon thereafter Augustus. Since the affected areas of Italy and North Africa were in the territory of Severus II, the grim task of marching on Rome and overthrowing Maxentius landed squarely on his shoulders. It might have seemed an easy task – the rebel had a small, ill-trained army – but that was before Maxentius lured his father out of unwanted retirement. Most of the soldiers Severus II was leading had served under Maximian, and through liberal bribes and crafty politicking Maximian turned the tide against Severus II, who fled north and eventually surrendered on the condition that his life would be spared. Father and son rebels were true to their promise until Galerius himself invaded Italy to finish the job, at which point they executed Severus II, and managed to expel Galerius from Italy.

Graded Ch AU Strike 5/5 Surface 3/5 Fine Style, brushed, NGC certification number 6157263-003