Roman Empire, Septimius Severus, 193-211, Aureus 193-194, Rome, very rare

Roman Empire. Septimius Severus, 193-211. Aureus 193-194, Rome. Gold 7.38 g.; 20.9 mm.
Obverse: Head of Septimius Severus, laureate, right. Obverse caption: IMP CAE L SEP SEV PERT AVG //
Reverse: Liberalitas, draped, standing left, holding abacus in right hand and cornucopiae in left hand. Reverse caption: LIBERAL AVG COS

RIC: IV-18.

Exceptional and very rare Aureus, in a wonderful state of conservation, virtually as struck! The portrait of Septimius Severus is amazing and this specimen could be a real museum piece at the level of the those kept in the Vienna cabinet, visible in the RIC online. We will note only very slight flats on the highest reliefs on the reverse. This is the variety with five balls in the abacus (on the reverse), one ball in each corner and one in the center. This is probably one of the most beautiful, if not the most beautiful example ever offered for sale.
Mint state MS 63