Obverse: Laureate head of Septimius Severus, facing right. Legend: L SEPT SEV PERT AVG IMP X.
Reverse: Pax (goddess of peace) seated left, holding a branch in her extended right hand and a scepter in her left hand. Legend: PACI AETERNAE.
Septimius Severus was the founder of the Severan dynasty. He was originally from Leptis Magna (in modern-day Libya), born into a wealthy family of mixed Italian Roman and Punic-Berber descent. He came to power in 193, the year a civil war broke out following the assassination of Emperor Pertinax by the Praetorian Guard. That year a total of five men were acclaimed as Augustus, but it was ultimately Septimius who secured the throne after defeating his rivals.
Septimius was an effective though stern emperor, living up to his name Severus (the Severe). He was also one of the most militarily vigorous emperors, conquering various Arab tribes, the Assyrians in Adiabene, the Caledonians in Britain, in addition to defeating the Parthian Empire.
- Composition: Silver
- Denomination: Denarius
- Date: 193–211 A.D.
- NGC Certified: 68311002-068