Lot 441: Septimius Severus. A.D. 193-211. AR denarius. Alexandria, A.D. 195.

Septimius Severus. A.D. 193-211. AR denarius (18 mm, 3.02 g, 6 h). Alexandria, A.D. 195. I-MP CAE L SE-P SEV PERT AVG, laureate head of Septimius Severus right / [T]R P IIII IMP II COS I[I], Mars standing right, holding spear and resting hand atop grounded shield. RIC -; BMC -; R. Bickford-Smith, ""The Imperial Mints in the East for Septimius Severus: It is time to begin a thorough reconsideration,"" RIN (1994/5), pl. i, 7; RSC -. Very rare. A hint of surface porosity, but with remarkably complete legends on the obverse and nearly compete on the reverse. Quality comparable to the B. P. Murphy specimen. Good very fine for the issue.

From the Maple Leaf Collection. Purchased privately from Barry P. Murphy, with his ticket.

During the first half of his reign, Septimius Severus operated three imperial mints in the East, at Emesa and Laodicea ad Mare in Syria, and at Alexandria in Egypt. Minting at first was limited to Emesa and Alexandria during the years 194 and 195, but in 195 moved to Laodicea where it continued until 202. The style of engraving from each mint is uniquely distinctive, with that from Alexandria being most similar to Rome yet quite different from it in its crudity. Here Septimius Severus has a worn expression, with deep-set, tired eyes reminiscent of both Clodius Albinus and Pescennius Niger.

Anyone interested in the eastern issues of Septimius Severus and his family should visit the website of Barry P. Murphy on Ancients.info, http://bpmurphy.ancients.info/severan/severanhome.htm.

• Offered By: Barry P. Murphy
• Lot #: 441
• Listing #: 190518
• Closed: Friday, December 15, 2017 5:26:40 PM CT
• Estimate: $150
• Collection: The Maple Leaf Collection