Septimus Severus, Africa with Snake

Obverse:         SEVERVS PIVS AVG - Laureate head right  

Reverse:         AFRICA Africa standing r. wearing elephant-skin headdress, lion at her feet.

Mint :              Rome

Date :              AD 207

Reference :     BM-309, C-25 (3 Fr.), RIC-253

Grade :            VF

Weight :          3.43g

Denom:           Denarius

Metal :            Silver

Dealer :           HJB

Acquired:        07/07/04

Comments: Scarce: 18 specimens in Reka Devnia hoard. This type was struck in AD 207 to commemorate an Imperial visit to Severus' home province of 
Africa that year. During this trip he gave honours to the Punic god of healing (equivalent to the Roman Aesculapius), so it seems very likely that Severus was suffering some illness at the time.