Denomination: Silver denarius

Period: Roman imperial, Caesar under Septimius Severus and Caracalla 

Date: AD 203

Origin: Rome mint

Condition: VF some porosity

Obverse: Geta bare-headed and draped, right, P SEPT GETA PONT

Reverse: Felicitas standing left holding caduceus and cornucopia, FELICITAS PVBLICA

Size and Weight: 18.5mm, 2.84g

References: Spink 7173, RIC IV 9A

Features and Provenance: Geta was raised to the position of Caesar at about the time his brother, Caracalla, was made Augustus; obviously being groomed for the throne. In 208, they left for Britain with their father, Emperor Septimius Severus, to campaign against Caledonia (Scotland). Fearing conspiracy, Severus made Geta governor of Britain and Augustus too. The two brothers, never the best of friends, were now serious rivals and to make matters worse, their father then died in York. On their return to Rome as joint emperors, they halved the palace and would not sit together for fear of poisoning. Caracalla eventually had Geta assassinated and took the throne for himself. Geta is known to have died in his mother's arms.  

Condition Summary. This varies with the age of coin and there are grades in between

Uncirculated (U). As struck with no traces of wear

Extremely Fine (EF). Very slight traces of wear, all parts of legend etc present, visible and clear

Very Fine (VF). Some signs of wear on the higher parts of the relief, all parts of legend etc present, but may be worn

Fine (F). Wear on the coin and parts of legend etc may be missing or not visible