Numismatica Ars Classica Zurich

Auction 87  –  8 October 2015

Numismatica Ars Classica Zurich, Auction 87

The Ernst Ploil Collection of Roman Coins - Part I

Th, 08.10.2015, from 2:30 PM CEST
The auction is closed.

Description

The Roman Empire
Septimius Severus, 193 – 211
Aureus 201, AV 7.36 g. SEVERVS PIVS AVG – P M TR P VIIII Laureate head r. Rev. FELICITAS / SAECVLI Draped bust of Julia Domna facing, between, on l., laureate, draped and cuirassed bust of Caracalla facing r. and on r., bareheaded, draped and cuirassed bust of Geta facing l. C 1 var. (Geta without cuirass). BMC 255 (Geta without cuirass). RIC 175. Calicó 2589b.
Very rare. A lovely specimen of this desirable issue with three fine portraits
of high style perfectly centred on a full flan. Extremely fine Ex Leu sale 71, 1997, 444.

Certainly among the most famous Roman coin types, this issue occurs only as an aureus. With the exception of a possibly unique aureus of c. 209 that depicts the confronted heads of Septimius Severus and Julia Domna on the obverse, and the confronted heads of Caracalla and Geta on the reverse, this is the only Severan dynastic coin that depicts all four members of the imperial family. More importantly, though, it is the first instance in Imperial coinage where the principal type includes a facing bust. The specific positioning of the three heads on the reverse – mother facing between the confronted heads of her sons – brings to mind a heated piece of advice Julia Domna gave to her quarrelsome sons about a decade after this aureus was struck: "You may divide the empire, but you cannot divide your mother!"

Question about this lot?

Bidding

Price realized 45'000 CHF
Starting price 28'000 CHF
Estimate 35'000 CHF
The auction is closed.
Feedback / Support