Lot 613

Roman Otacilia Severa Coin + Byzantine Motto Ring

Previous image preload Next image preload
Back to catalog
Lot 613
image_0 image_1
Roman Otacilia Severa Coin + Byzantine Motto Ring
Roman Otacilia Severa Coin + Byzantine Motto Ring
image_0 image_1

Roman Otacilia Severa Coin + Byzantine Motto Ring

Estimate: $600 - $900

Starting Bid: $300

(0 Bids)
by Artemis Fine Arts
July 30, 2026 8:00 AM MDT
Live Auction
686 S. Taylor Avenue
Suite 108
Louisville, CO, US 80027

Roman, Imperial period, ca. 244–600 CE. A pairing of two silver survivals from the Roman world, spanning three centuries. The first is a silver antoninianus of Otacilia Severa, wife of Philip I, her diademed and draped bust set upon a crescent and facing right, seen from behind, ringed by the legend OTACIL SEVERA AVG. Its reverse, SAECVLARES AVGG / IIII, shows a hippopotamus striding right, one of the exotic beasts paraded for Rome's millennial games of 248. The second is a late Roman to early Byzantine silver band, not a signet but a motto ring, its bezel carrying the abbreviated Latin legend DAS VIT. Most naturally read as das vita(m) or the imperative da vitam, "you give life" or "give life," it belongs to the affectionate, amuletic tradition of inscribed rings worn as tokens of devotion. Size of larger (coin): 0.8" W x 0.9" H (2.0 cm W x 2.3 cm H); silver quality: coin: 90.8%, ring: 94.4%; total weight: 6.5 grams; US ring size: 7.75.

Otacilia Severa was empress consort to Philip I (Philip the Arab), who reigned 244 to 249 CE. The SAECVLARES AVGG series was struck to celebrate the Ludi Saeculares of 248, the games marking Rome's thousandth anniversary, for which exotic animals, including hippopotami, were shipped to the capital and displayed or slaughtered in the arena. The numeral IIII in the exergue identifies the officina that produced this issue.

Inscribed motto rings flourished in the transition from the pagan Roman world into Christian Byzantium. Rather than sealing documents, they carried short legends of affection, blessing, or protection, worn as personal amulets. Legends such as DAS VIT ("you give life") echo a vocabulary shared between secular endearment and emerging Christian sentiment, making close dating difficult on epigraphy alone.

Provenance: private Arden, North Carolina, USA collection, ex-Palmyra Heritage Gallery, acquired 2025; ex-private London, UK collection; ex-private Belgian collection, acquired between 1990-1980

SHIPPING: We coordinate worldwide shipping in-house through specialist international forwarders experienced with fine art and antiquities customs manifests. International buyers must confirm, prior to bidding, that their country's customs authority will accept the item. All duties, taxes, clearance fees, and any costs arising from customs delays, seizures, re-export, returns, or loss in transit are the buyer's sole responsibility. Artemis assumes no liability for items refused entry, detained, or lost after export. We cannot ship ancient items to their country of origin (Egyptian to Egypt, Greek to Greece, etc.).

PAYMENT EXCEPTION: For clients not previously established with Artemis, payment for all gold, precious metal, and gemstone lots must be made by bank wire transfer or certified bank check/money order, without exception.

Item # 203603

  • Condition: Coin is in Very Fine Condition. Ring has some light surface wear, but, otherwise, intact, excellent, and wearable with clear inscription and light patina.

Accepted Forms of Payment:

American Express, Discover, MasterCard, Money Order / Cashiers Check, Personal Check, Visa, Wire Transfer

Shipping

Bidder Can Make Shipping Arrangements, Local Pick-Up, In-House Shipping

Artemis Fine Arts

You agree to pay a buyer’s premium, as outlined below, and any applicable taxes and shipping.
Buyer's Premium
$1 - $249,999:
35.00%
$250,000+:
35.00%

View full terms and conditions

Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $749 $25
$750 $1,499 $50
$1,500 $2,999 $100
$3,000 $7,499 $250
$7,500 $14,999 $500
$15,000 $29,999 $1,000
$30,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 + $10,000