Caracalla, with Septimius Severus and Julia Domna, 198-217. Denarius (Silver, 20 mm, 3.48 g, 7 h), Rome, 201. ANTONINVS PIVS AVG Laureate and draped bust of Caracalla to right, seen from behind. Rev. CONCORDIAE AETERNAE Jugate busts of Septimius Severus, radiate and draped, and Julia Domna, diademed, draped and set on crescent, to right. BMC 275. Cohen -. RIC 125a. Very rare. Thin flan crack, otherwise, very fine.


This and the following lot 1255 below form part of the broader iconographic program of Septimius Severus' reign, which centered around the imperial family as the guarantors of the empire's stability. A secure succession through male offspring was seen as the ideal way to ensure a bloodless transition of power, though the political reality at Septimius Severus' time of death - Caracalla and Geta's ferocious infighting - would belie the message of concord this coin aims to spread.