Septimius Severus, 193-211. Sestertius (Orichalcum, 29 mm, 18.29 g, 6 h), Rome, 193. [IMP CAES L] SEPT SEV PERT AV[G] Laureate head of Septimius Severus to right. Rev. LEG [XIII GE]M M V / TR P COS / S - C Aquilia between two signa. BMC 471. Cohen 275. RIC 652. Scratches and patina flaking, otherwise, very fine.


The reverse on this sestertius celebrates the Legio XIII Gemina, originally raised by Julius Caesar. By the time this coin was struck, the legion had alreay had a long and illustrious career, fighting with Caesar at Alesia and subsequently crossing the Rubicon with him on his march on Rome. It also saw service at the pivotal battles of Pharsalus, Thapsus, and Munda. Augustus led the Thirteenth against Sextus Pompey in Sicily, and at Actium against Antony and Cleopatra, where it was reinforced by veterans and thus took the name Gemina ('Twin'). After the Roman disaster at Teutoburg Forest in AD 9, the Thirteenth was sent to Vindonissa to keep an eye on the Roman border with the Germans. During the Year of the Four Emperors, it fought at both battles of Bedriacum, first under Otho, then under Vespasian against Vitellius, were the latter's troops were routed. During Trajan's Dacian Wars, the legion served honorably fighting against the Dacians, and it was still in existence and serving in Egypt during the fifth century, where it protected the region of the traditional border between Lower and Middle Egypt along the Nile.