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 interesting piece is part of a larger series of coins struck for Septimius Severus and Caracalla related to Medusa in 207-208, likely in anticipation of the British campaign of 208. Already mentioned in the Illiad, the aegis was the breastplate of Athena (or sometimes Zeus), bedecked, according to Virgil (Aen. 8.435-8), with golden serpent scales and writhing snakes with at the center the fearsome head of Medusa. The latter naturally served to ward off evil, and the implication is that the emperor is under the direct protection of one of his favored deities.