• Finest Quality Ancient Greek, Roman & Byzantine Coins
  • Renaissance & 17th Century Dutch Medals
  • Auctions & Private Treaty Sales

Nomos 22

22 June 2021
Zunfthaus zur Saffran, Zurich

overview

The Saecular Games of 204

Estimate: 3500 CHF
Hammer Price:  4800 CHF
Lot 315
Video

Septimius Severus, 193-211. Denarius (Silver, 19 mm, 3.66 g, 12 h), Rome, 204-206. SEVERVS PIVS AVG Laureate head of Septimius Severus to right. Rev. LAETITIA TEMPORVM The central Spina of the Circus Maximus in Rome, shown as a left sailing galley with the turning markers at the prow and stern; the central obelisk of the Spina is ornamented with a sail to maintain the galley-like appearance; above quadrigas galloping to left; below, an ostrich, two lions, a donkey, a panther, a bear, and a bison. BMC 343. Cohen 253. RIC 274. Rare. Sharply struck and of unusually fine quality, attractively toned. Extremely fine.

Selections from an Important American Collection. Ex Lanz 156, 2 June 2013, 343 (but the references there cited refer, oddly enough, to a coin of Caracalla).

This denarius was issued to celebrate the Ludi Saeculares of 204 and shows some of the events that took place in the Circus Maximus: chariot races and animal fights: the wild animals must have been released from gates in the central spina, made up to look like a galley, which had transported them to Rome from Africa or other exotic locations.

Online bidding closes: 22 Jun 2021, 10:00:00 CEST Current Date & Time: 29 Mar 2024, 14:37:34 CET Remaining Time: Closed Hammer Price:4800 CHF

Pre-Bidding closes on 22 Juni 2021 at 10:00 CEST. Live bidding starts at 14:00 CET and is EXCLUSIVELY available on biddr. Separate registration is required.

An error has occurred. This application may no longer respond until reloaded. Reload 🗙
Reconnecting, please wait...