Numismatica Ars Classica Zurich

Auction 114 - Part I  –  6 - 7 May 2019

Numismatica Ars Classica Zurich, Auction 114 - Part I

Greek, Roman and Byzantine Coins

Tu, 07.05.2019, from 11:00 AM CEST
The auction is closed.

Description

Julia Domna, wife of Septimius Severus. Aureus 201, AV 7.18 g. IVLIA – AVGVSTA Draped bust r. Rev. AETERNIT IMPERI Confronted busts of Caracalla laureate, draped and cuirassed facing r. and Geta, Bareheaded, draped and cuirassed facing l. C 1. BMC S. Severus 3 var. (Caracalla bare headed). RIC S. Severus 540. Calicó 2653c.
Very rare and among the finest specimens known. Three exquisite portraits
of fine style perfectly centred on a full flan and a superb reddish
tone. Virtually as struck and Fdc

Ex Lanz sale 135, 2007, 804.

An impressive series of dynastic coins was issued for the Severans throughout 201 and into the early part of 202, presumably marking the fifth anniversary of the dynasty that Septimius Severus had formed by early 196. After so many years of civil war, Severus must have thought it appropriate to publicise his dynasty, and to advertise the stability that it represented to the Roman people. The variety of types is considerable, with the portraits of family members being shown in many combinations. This aureus was struck in the name of Julia Domna, and on the reverse portrays her two sons, Caracalla and Geta. It is tailor-made as a dynastic type since the inscription AETERNIT IMPERI ('the eternity of the empire') equates the continuity of the empire with the continuity of the dynasty. The positioning of the boys' portraits is exactly as would be expected: the elder, Caracalla, is in the honorary position on the left wearing a laurel wreath to indicate his senior status as Augustus, and the younger, Geta, is shown Bareheaded on the right to denote his lesser status as Caesar.

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Bidding

Price realized 60'000 CHF
Starting price 36'000 CHF
Estimate 45'000 CHF
The auction is closed.
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