Septimius Severus, with Julia Domna, 193-211. Aureus (Gold, 20 mm, 7.35 g, 6 h), Rome, 201. SEVERVS AVG PART MAX Laureate head of Septimius Severus to right. Rev. IVLIA AVGVSTA Draped bust of Julia Domna to right. BMC 192 note. Calicó 2588. Cohen -. RIC 161a. Very rare. A lovely piece with two very attractive portraits. Struck from a slightly worn obverse die, otherwise, about extremely fine.


After his victories in the civil wars and the successful Parthian campaigns, Septimius Severus' auctoritas reached new heights in 201. The coinage of this year focused heavily on dynastic issues, underlining the stability that the dynasty brought to the empire. Various types were issued, showing the portraits of the imperial couple, Septimius Severus and Julia Domna, as well as of their two sons, Caracalla and Geta (see lot 323 below).