Septimius Severus, 193-211. Denarius (Silver, 19 mm, 3.57 g, 1 h), Rome, 207. SEVERVS PIVS AVG Laureate head of Septimius Severus to right. Rev. PROVIDENTIA Outspread aegis with facing head of Medusa in the center. BMC 357. Cohen 591. RIC 286. Extremely rare and with a very interesting reverse type. Slightly rough and with a thin flan crack, otherwise, nearly extremely fine.

This intriguing piece is part of a larger series of coins struck for Septimius Severus, Julia Domna, Caracalla, and Geta. We linked them to the anticipated British campaign of 208 in our Auction 15, but they likely relate to events in 207, which are not fully known to us (see the note on Lot 456 above). The Aegis, already mentioned in the Iliad, was the breastplate of Athena (or sometimes Zeus), adorned, according to Virgil (Aen. 8.435-8), with golden serpent scales and writhing snakes, with the fearsome head of Medusa at its center. This served, naturally, to ward off evil, and the implication is that the emperor is under the direct protection of one of his favored deities.