Two Extremely Rare Aurei of Severus II

Triton XX, Lot: 859. Estimate $50000. Sold for $70000. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

Severus II. As Caesar, AD 305-306. AV Aureus (20mm, 5.38 g, 6h). Serdica mint. Struck AD 305. SEVERVS NOB CAES, laureate head right / PRINCIPI IVV–ENTVTIS, Severus, in military attire, standing left, raising right hand and holding spear in left; two signa to right; Σ/–//•SM•SD•. RIC VI 8a var. (rev. legend break); Depeyrot 1/3 var. (same); Calicó 4997 corr. (mint mark); Biaggi. In NGC encapsulation graded Ch AU, Strike: 5/5; Surface: 3/5. Extremely rare, only three cited by Depeyrot, one in CoinArchives (= Bolla Collection [Tkalec, 28 February 2007], lot 100 – hammer of 38,000 CHF).

Like many Roman emperors of his time, the Illyrian Severus II gained power and influence by climbing the ranks of the army. In May AD 305 he was made the western Caesar, overseeing his territory from his capital at Milan. Galerius promoted him to co-Augustus on the death of Constantius I Chlorus the following year, and Constantius’ son Constantine I was appointed as the new Caesar. This must not have sat well with Maxentius, son of the former Augustus Maximianus, who was overlooked as a potential successor to his own father. Maxentius revolted in late 306 and Severus II led his army south to Rome in early 307 in order to put an end to it. A large number of Severus’ troops had previously served under Maximianus, however, and felt more loyalty to their prior commander and his son than to the current Augustus. Many of Severus’ soldiers joined Maxentius army, leaving Severus with no choice but to surrender. Although promised his life would be spared if he surrendered peacefully, Severus was killed in September of 307.