Septimius Severus AD 193-211 Silver Denarius

Septimius Severus 193-211 AD Silver Denarius

Laureate bust right/ Aequitas standing left holding scales and cornucopiae

Alexandria mint

RCV6258, 18mm, 3.28g

Septimius Severus was born in North Africa to a prominent family of Punic origin. With his family connections and also through his marriage to Julia Domna Severus’ career advanced rapidly and his governorship of Gallia Lugdunensis was followed by a consulship in AD 190. This was followed by a governorship in Pannonia which was the position he occupied at the time Pertinax was assassinated. When Julianus was proclaimed emperor Severus outraged marched on Rome and had him deposed.
Refusing to recognise Niger Severus joined forces with Albinus offering him the junior rank of Caesar. The following year he defeated Niger leaving the entire empire in Severus’ hands. The following year he broke with Albinus and defeated him in a battle near Lugdunum leaving the way clear to promote his own son Caracalla. Carcalla was created Caesar in AD 195 before being elevated to joint Augustus in AD 198.
Subsequent campaigns in the east, including a war with Parthia, were successful and earnt Severus the title Parthicus Arabicus. Returning to Rome Severus initiated a number of major building projects before setting out, with the entire Imperial family, for Britain in AD 208 where problems on the North West frontier required attention. Returning to Rome Severus was becoming increasingly concerned by the rivalry between his 2 sons especially after Geta was promoted to Augustus in AD 209. Returning to Britain Severus died in York in AD 211.
A feature of the coinage of Severus is the dynastic series which was issued in gold and silver in AD 201 and 202. Whilst most of the coinage issued was from Rome a mint in Laodicea also operated during this period.