AETERNIT IMPERI

246, Lot: 403. Estimate $500. Sold for $800. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

Julia Domna, with Caracalla and Geta as Caesars. Augusta, AD 193-217. AR Denarius (19mm, 2.91 g, 6h). Rome mint. Struck AD 201. Draped bust of Domna right / AETERNIT IMPERI, laureate and draped bust of Caracalla right, vis-à-vis bareheaded and draped bust of Geta left. RIC IV 540 (Septimius Severus); RSC 2. Near VF, lightly toned, surfaces a bit porous.

Following the civil wars leading up to Severus’ accession, advertising having “an heir and a spare” to eventually rise to the throne in peace would have been a calming message to the populace.