About

Minted to celebrate the Secular Games held in 204 AD.

See also:

• Caracalla - RIC IV 133
• Caracalla - RIC IV 157
• Septimius Severus - RIC IV 274 (Denarius)

Issuing Authority

Rome

Emperor

Septimius Severus

Denomination

Aureus

Metal

Gold

Obverse Legend

SEVERVS PIVS AVG

Obverse Description

Laureate head right

Reverse Legend

LAETITIA TEMPORVM

Reverse Description

Scene from the Circus Maximus. “Spina” made up to look like a ship, with a sail, sides, bow, and stern. Along the bottom (from left to right) are an ostrich, a lion, a lioness, an ass, a bison being attacked by a panther, and a bear. Some of the animals get different names depending on who’s selling the coin (for example, tiger, bull, zebra).

Mint

Rome

RIC

IV 274 (Aureus)

Cohen

253

BMCRE

-

Weight

7.2g

Date

206 AD

References

1. RIC IV 274 (Aureus)
2. Cohen 253
3. BMCRE -
4. Calicó 2469
5. Harlan J. Berk’s 100 Greatest Ancient Coins #87