Lot 2026

Description

Septimius Severus, (A.D. 193-211), silver denarius, issued 204, Rome mint, (3.238 grams), obv. laureate bust to right of Septimius Severus, around SEVERVS PIVS AVG, rev. Dea Caelestis, holding thunderbolt and sceptre seated facing head right on lion leaping to right, over water which gushes from rock, around INDVLGENTIA AVGG, IN CARTH in exergue, (S.6285, RIC 266, RSC 222). Nearly extremely fine and very scarce.

Ex Marc Melcher Collection. The type refers to a special type of favour shown to Carthage, capital of Severus' native province. It appears to be connected with the city's water supply (perhaps a new aqueduct). The principal female deity of Carthage was known to the Romans as Dea Caelestis, 'Celestial goddess'. Although not named on the coin, there can be little doubt that she is the figure shown riding on the lion. The Reka-Devnia hoard of 81,044 silver coins, contained 7256 coins of Septimius Severus and had 198 coins of this variety.