Septimius Severus. Sestertius

Septimius Severus; 193-211 AD, Rome, 210-11 AD, Sestertius, 26.31g. Cf. BM-811, pl. 49.1. Obv: L - SEPT SEVERVS - PIVS AVG BRIT Bust laureate r., with fold of cloak on front shoulder and behind neck. Rx: VICTORIAE BRITTANNI-CAE around (end of rev. legend doublestruck), S C in exergue, Two Victories standing facing one another, placing round shield on palm tree growing between them; at foot of palm, two captives seated l. and r.

Ex Curtis L. Clay Collection; ex CNG E452, 18 Sept. 2019, lot 741.

Apparently unique with BRIT in obverse legend. That title was unexpectedly omitted from the obverse legend of a number of Severan sestertii of 210-11 AD, probably because the relevant obverse dies had originally been engraved before Septimius accepted the title Brittannicus in mid 210, but erroneously remained in use even after the emperors' acceptance of that title, when it should have been added to their obverse legends.

This is wonderful example of this highly desirable type. It has some minor areas of surface cleaning, which is typical of coins collected in the 16th and 17th centuries. Virtually MS