The George W. La Borde Collection of Roman Aurei Part I
THE ROMAN EMPIRE
Clodius Albinus, 193 – 195
Aureus 194 or later, AV 7.33 g. D·CL·SEPT·AL – BIN·CAES Bare head r. Rev. SAECVLO FRVG – IF – ERO COS II African divinity wearing radiate crown and himation standing l. holding winged caduceus in r. hand and trident in l. C 70. BMC cf. p. 38* (CLOD) and pl. 8, 7 (this obverse die). RIC 9a var. (obverse bust type a). V. Zedelius pl. 6, 2 (this obverse die). Kent-Hirmer 375 (this obverse die). Wealth of the Ancient World 138 (this coin). Calicó 2422 (this coin).
Exceedingly rare, apparently only the third and by far the finest specimen known.
An absolutely spectacular portrait in the finest style of the period and a very
interesting reverse type. Virtually as struck and almost Fdc
Provenance
Sold by Bank Leu, auction 20, Zurich, 25 April 1978, lot 340.
Nelson Bunker Hunt (1926-2014) Collection, inventory nr. H.823, sold by Sotheby’s, auction 6043, New York, 19 June 1990, lot 138.
John Whitney Walter (b. 1934) Collection sold by Stack’s and Harlan J. Berk, auction, New York, 29 November 1990, lot 62.
Inventory of Harlan J. Berk (Chicago), sold in January 2007.

This splendid aureus of Clodius Albinus, struck while he was Caesar under Septimius Severus, honors his hometown of Hadrumentum in Africa. The reverse depicts the African god Aion Karpophoros, or in Latin translation, Saeculo Frugifero (”to the fruitful age”), which symbolizes a hope for peace and prosperity. Ironically, for Clodius Albinus at least, he was not to experience the tranquil existence the type calls for. Albinus had a long and distinguished career, joining the legions while still quite young and serving with distinction, eventually rising to command under Marcus Aurelius. He was instrumental in putting down the revolt of Avidius Cassius in A.D. 175 while governor of Bithynia, served as consul in 187, became governor of Germania Inferior in 189, and then of Britain in 191. When first Commodus, followed shortly after by Pertinax, were assassinated in 193, the Praetorian Guard auctioned off the imperial title to the wealthy senator, Didius Julianus. Clodius Albinus and two of his military colleagues, Septimius Severus and Pescennius Niger, all answered the call to remove the blemish of the disgraceful episode of Didius Julianus’ ”elevation” and to avenge the murder of Pertinax. Severus, being the governor of Pannonia Superior, was the closest to Rome, and hurriedly marched on the capital. The Senate condemned Didius Julianus, who was executed, and Severus occupied the city unopposed. After executing the murderers of Pertinax, he dismissed the Praetorian Guard, refilling it with troops from his own legions, and forced the Senate to acknowledge his accession. He also made Clodius Albinus his Caesar, which implied a claim to succession, and struck coins in his name such as this wonderful aureus. With his rear secured, Severus then moved against Pescennius Niger in the East, whom he dealt with decisively in 194. By 195, however, Severus had decided upon establishing a dynasty. He named his sons, Caracalla and Geta, as his successors, and had the Senate declare Albinus a public enemy. Shortly thereafter at Lugdunum, Albinus was hailed emperor by his own troops. While Severus remained for a while in Rome, Albinus used his time preparing for war, consolidating his troops and stockpiling resources. Battle finally came on February 19, 197, when the two sides clashed near Lugdunum in Gaul. While initially Albinus saw some successes, he was eventually defeated and committed suicide. According to the Historia Augusta, Septimius had his corpse decapitated, throwing his body as well as those of his wife and son into a river and keeping his head to be displayed in Rome as a warning to other possible aspirants to the throne.