The George W. La Borde Collection of Roman Aurei Part I
THE ROMAN EMPIRE
Septimius Severus, 193 – 211
Aureus 202-210, AV 7.25 g. SEVERVS – PIVS AVG Laureate head r. Rev. VIRTVS AVGVSTORVM Septimius, Caracalla and Geta, on horses prancing l., each raising r. hand. C 770. BMC 374. RIC 305 and pl. VII, 15 (this obverse die). Calicó 2578.
Extremely rare and possibly the finest specimen known. A bold portrait and
a very symbolic reverse composition. Virtually as struck and almost Fdc
Provenance
Nelson Bunker Hunt (1926-2014) Collection sold by Sotheby’s, auction 6044, New York, 21-22 June 1990, lot 765. Gerald Hoberman (1943-2013) Collection, bought from Spink & Son, sold Dix Noonan Webb, auction A11, London, 27 September 2011, lot 2023.

The reverse of this splendid aureus is sharply struck and shows quite clearly the individual facial features of each of the riders. Closest to the viewer is Caracalla, cloaked and wearing a military breastplate, with boyish looks and a laureate crown. Next is Severus, with much facial hair and a laureate crown. Finally, there is Geta, young and slim, with smooth cheeks and lacking his crown. Each is posed with his arm extended as if receiving an ovation, and is very similar to the Adventus type with emperor on horseback which was to become very common on later coinage until the reign of Constantine the Great. The significance of the type here, though, is different, and is proclaimed in the legend, VIRTVS AVGVSTORVM, or ”bravery of the emperors.” This relates to Severus’ campaigns in northern Britain after A.D. 209, where he took his wife and two sons to wage war against the Caledonians of northern Britain. He did so in part because of the genuine threat that these northern peoples presented, but his primary interest in doing so seems to have been to provide a constructive outlet for the near constant quarrelling of his two sons. He felt it would be better if they focused their attentions on an enemy of Rome rather than each other, and in the process gain invaluable command experience. Based at Eboracum (modern York), Severus sent his sons to lead the troops. He also used this opportunity to elevate Geta to the rank of Augustus. However, while in Britain Severus fell ill and died in A.D. 211, leaving behind two sons who were still intent on eliminating one another.