Septimius Severus, 193-211. Aureus (Gold, 20 mm, 7.34 g, 12 h), Rome, 194. L•SEP•SEV•P-ERT•AVG•IMP II Laureate head of Septimius Severus to right. Rev. DIS•AVSPICIB TR P II / COS II P P Hercules, on the left, standing facing, head to left, holding club set on ground in his right hand and lion skin over his left arm with his left; on the right, Bacchus (or Liber), standing facing, head to left, holding cantharus in his right hand and thyrsus in his left; between them, panther seated left, head right, raising his right forepaw. BMC 58. Calicó 2445 (same obverse die). Cohen 113. RIC 25. A beautiful piece with a wonderful mythological reverse. About extremely fine.


This beautiful aureus of Septimius Severus features Hercules and Bacchus (or Liber) on the reverse - two deities of particular significance to Severus’ North African hometown of Leptis Magna, where they were worshipped in their Phoenician aspects as Melqart and Shadaphra, respectively. Beyond their status as titular gods of Leptis Magna, their appearance on the coinage of Septimius Severus and his family - especially on provincial issues - has sparked considerable scholarly debate.

The pair frequently appear on coins struck for Severus’ sons, Caracalla and Geta, seemingly as their patron deities. Hercules is especially prominent on the coinage of Caracalla, while Bacchus plays a more visible role on that of Geta. Their inclusion here likely symbolizes the dynastic hopes of the Severan regime, projecting an era of peace and prosperity under the joint rule of the imperial brothers - a vision, as history would show, that ultimately failed to materialize.