Obverse: SEVERVS PIVS AVG. Laureate head of Septimius Severus facing right.

Reverse: INDVLGENTIA AVGG IN CARTH, Dea Caelestis, holding thunderbolt and sceptre, seated facing on lion leaping right over water which gushes from rock on left.

RIC: 266. Sear: 6285. BMCRE: 218, 355. [Rome, AD 204].

Diameter: 19 mm. Weight: 3.3 g.

A stunning coin with an intriguing reverse type. The inscription INDVLGENTIA AVGG IN CARTH, refers to a major imperial favour granted by Severus to the city of Carthage (his home town). The presence of the water gushing from the rock below the goddess has led many scholars to believe it was the construction of a new aqueduct. The city's patron goddess was known as Dea Caelestis, the 'Celestial Goddess' and although not specifically named on the coinage, there can be little doubt that she is the figure shown riding the lion.