Choice Bacchus Denarius of SEPTIMIUS SEVERUS

     This piece was minted in 194 AD, during the reign of Septimius
     Severus, who ruled from 193-211 AD. The obverse of this type depicts the laureate head of Septimius
     Severus facing right, with legends L.SEPT.SEV.PERT.AVG.IMP.II.
     The reverse type features Liber (Bacchus) standing half-left,
     cloak or skin over left shoulder, holding oenochoe and thyrsus,
     with panther at left standing left, head turned back to catch
     drops from jug. The legends read LIBERO.PATRI. Bacchus appears
     with some frequency on the bronze coins of the Greek Imperial
     series, but only appears rarely on Roman Imperial issues, this
     type being one of the most well known. In fact, it is this type
     which Sear uses to illustrate the portrayal of Bacchus on a Roman
     coin. This piece grades a nice VF, with bold devices and legends
     all around, and a very nice portrait. In addition, this piece is
     from the collection of the late Roger A. Bickford-Smith, one of
     the premier collectors of the denarii of the Severan period. A
     choice pedigreed example of this popular type, catalouged as
     RSC-300a.