Lot 2147

Description

Septimus Severus, (A.D. 193-211), AE sestertius, Rome mint, issued A.D. 210-211, obv. laureate head of Septimus Severus to right, around L SEPT SEVERVS PIVS AVG, rev. two Victories standing left and right, fixing shield on palm, at foot of which are two captives, around VICTORIAE BRITTANNICAE, S C in exergue, (S.1810, RIC 818, C.732, BMC 811). Light surface pitting on the reverse, otherwise good fine and very rare.

Severus crossed to Britain in A.D. 209, and the British campaign reached its climax in A.D. 210, when Severus invaded Scotland and gained sufficient success to justify him in accepting the title Britannicus. He dies at York early in May A.D. 211. This coin alludes to these British campaign victories.