Clodius Albinus AE Sestertius AD 195-197 F

Sestertius means “two and a half” in Latin, in reference to its value being worth two and a half asses.  By extension, four sestertii were equivalent to one denarius.  In the Roman Republic, the sestertius was a small silver coin.  In the Roman Empire, it was a large brass coin.

Decimus Clodius Albinus was born circa 150 AD in a province of Roman Africa that is now Tunisia.  He joined the military and made a name for himself, even being acknowledged by Emperor Marcus Aurelius for his actions and character during Avidus Cassius’s rebellion in 175.  Years later, when Emperor Pertinax was assassinated, people from different parts of the empire vied for the throne.  In the ensuing civil war, Albinus was at first allied with Septimius Severus.  He even added Septimius to his own name, becoming Decimus Clodius Septimius Albinus.  Severus named Albinus caesar and allowed him to rule over some Western portions of the empire while he established dominance elsewhere.  Other candidates for emperor were killed, and by 196 Severus began to want ultimate power.  He sent an assassin after Albinus, who narrowly escaped.  Severus then declared his son Caracalla his successor and had the Senate make Albinus an enemy of Rome.  In response, Albinus rallied his troops in Britannia and proclaimed himself emperor.  In 197, Albinus and Severus met in the Battle of Lugdunum (modern-day Lyons, France).  Albinus was killed, as was his family, and his supporters were harshly persecuted.

This coin was graded F (fine) by the Numismatic Grading Company, the official grading service of the American Numismatic Association and the Professional Numismatists Guild.  Here is a list of grades used by the NGC, as well as information about Strike, Surface, and Style ratings.

Obverse: D CL SEPT ALBIN CAES

Reverse: FELICITAS COS II S C, Felicitas standing left holding caduceus and scepter

Reference: RCV 6149, RIC 52d