Septimius Severus. AD 193-211. AV Aureus (20mm, 7.49 g, 6h). Rome mint. Struck AD 208. SEVERVS PIVS AVG, laureate head of Septimius right / PACATOR ORBIS, radiate and draped bust of Sol right. RIC IV 282; Calicó 2487. Superb EF. Very rare.
Ex Metropolitan Museum of Art and Joseph H. Durkee Collections (Sotheby & Co., Zurich, 10 November 1972), lot 136; Sir Hyman Montagu (Rollin & Feuardent, 20 April 1896), lot 482..
Septimius Severus, like many Roman emperors, used coins to convey messages to Roman citizens. This lovely Aureus serves to inform people that Septimius Severus with the help of Sol, god of the sun, has brought peace to the world. The implicit message to the people, of course, is that if they want to continue to enjoy peace, they must support the emperor.
