Septimius Severus, with Caracalla and Geta as Caesar, circa 197-202. Uniface Plaquette (Bronze, 45x38 mm, 18.25 g), Xenophon, archon, and Alexander, [magistrate] 'for the second time'. ΞЄΝΟΦΩΝ•ΑΡΧΩΝ ΑΛЄΞΑΝΔΡΟ-C•B• On the right, laureate, draped and cuirassed bust of Septimius Severus to left, seen from behind, facing laureate, draped and cuirassed busts of Caracalla and Geta to right; all incuse. Rev. Blank. Minor scrape on the obverse and with light deposits, otherwise, good very fine.


Regrettably, the function of these intriguing engraved plaquettes remains unknown. The assumption posited in Leu 10 (2021), 2288, that they are seal inlays, cannot hold true, as a recently surfaced Severan example displays engravings on both sides (Leu Web Auction 30, forthcoming). Additionally, it is noteworthy that while the two Severan pieces mention magistrates, the later ones feature imperial names and titles. Notably, on our example, we observe the names of the archon Xenophon and a certain Alexander, who held his unnamed office 'for the second time'.