Roman Empire Septimius Severus, Silver Denarius, Emesa Mint, AD 194/5

Description

Denomination: Silver denarius

Period: Roman empire

Date: AD 194/5

Origin: Rome mint

Condition: Almost fine. rough edges and surfaces. slight corrosion

Obverse: Laureate head right. IMP CAE [L SEV PERT AVG COS II]

Reverse: Fortuna (or Pax) seated left holding branch in right hand and cornucopia in left. FORTVN REDVC

Size and Weight: 16mm. 2.69g

References: RIC 386. Spink 6278 var

Features and Provenance: Septimius Severus was emperor from 193 to 211. He was born in Libya. He was an officer under Marcus Aurelius and Commodus. A seemingly ruthless man. he seized power after deposing and then killed Pertinax then fought his rivals for the position of emperor. His sons. by his second wife. Julia Domna. both became emperor too. they were Caracalla and Geta. In 208 he travelled to Britain and strengthened Hadrian’s wall and re-occupied the Antonine wall further north. A year later he attempted to invade Scotland but caught an infection which required him to retreat and rest in York (Eboracum). he died there. After his death. Caracalla took the throne moved the border back to Hadrian’s wall and made peace. 

Condition Summary. This varies with the age of coin and there are grades 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 maybe worn

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