Unique LEG XXII Septimius Severus Aureus

CNG 102, Lot: 1030. Estimate $25000. Sold for $15000. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

Septimius Severus. AD 193-211. AV Aureus (20mm, 7.06 g, 12h). Legionary series. Rome mint. Struck AD 193. IMP CAE • L • SEP • SE V • PERT • AVG, laureate head right / LEG XX II, TR P COS in exergue, legionary aquila between two signa; forepart of capricorn on the shaft of each signum. Unpublished, but cf. RIC IV 15 and RSC 276 for denarii of this type; cf. illustration of Calicó 2471 (LEG VIII) for obverse die. Near EF, areas of toning, shroff mark below Severus’ chin, tiny edge test cut. Unique.

This heretofore unpublished and very important aureus is a new type (Legion XXII) to be included with the four previously recorded gold types in the extensive ‘legionary’ series issued by Severus at the very outset of his reign. According to Dio Cassius (XLVI, 46, 7), Severus paid an accession donative of 250 denarii (ten aurei) per man, and in all likelihood the legionary coinage was specially struck for this purpose. Legio XXII Primigenia was one of the legions to receive special honors from the new emperor as it supported his bid for the purple. Founded in AD 39 by Gaius (Caligula) as part of his campaigns in Germania, the XXII Primigenia spent much of their time in Mogontiacum (modern Mainz) up to the end of 3rd century.