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RIC IV Pertinax 11A (aureus)

DocumentedSupported by at least one credible specialist source.

Record status

Individual type · research required

Period

AD 193

Issuing entity

Roman Empire

Maker / issuer

Rome (ancient mint)

Aureus in gold struck at Rome under Pertinax, AD 193, catalogued as RIC IV Pertinax 11A (aureus). Obverse: Head of Pertinax, laureate, right. Reverse: Providentia, draped, standing left, holding right hand above head to star and resting left hand on breast.

Obverse legend: IMP CAES P HELV PERTIN AVG. Reverse legend: PROVID DEOR COS II.

Evidence at a glance

Linked sources
2
Photograph views
2
Catalogue references
1

Counts describe this entry’s documentation, not authenticity, rarity or completeness. Photographs may show one specimen; check each caption and licence.

Historical context

Publius Helvius Pertinax was Roman emperor for the first three months of 193, reigning for just 87 days after the assassination of Commodus. Rising from modest origins as the son of a freedman through a distinguished military career and provincial commands, he became the first ruler during the turbulent Year of the Five Emperors. Pertinax endeavoured to restore imperial financial stability and military discipline, though his reforms provoked the Praetorian Guard, who killed him on 28 March 193. This aureus was struck at Rome during his brief rule.

Physical characteristics

Material
Gold
Manufacture
Struck
Denomination
Aureus

Technical characteristics

Mint
Rome
Issuing authority
Pertinax

Design

Obverse type
Head of Pertinax, laureate, right
Reverse type
Providentia, draped, standing left, holding right hand above head to star and resting left hand on breast
Obverse legend
IMP CAES P HELV PERTIN AVG
Reverse legend
PROVID DEOR COS II

Identification

How to identify
RIC separates types by mint and officina marks, obverse legend and bust form, and reverse legend and type; check the exergue and field marks against the RIC number before accepting a match.
Type corpus record
https://numismatics.org/ocre/id/ric.4.pert.11A_aureus
Catalogue reference
RIC IV Pertinax 11A (aureus)
Type corpus identifier
ric.4.pert.11A_aureus
Source note
The type record is Online Coins of the Roman Empire (OCRE), the American Numismatic Society's digital edition of Roman Imperial Coinage.

Documentation checklist

Denomination
Recorded
Issue or mint date
Recorded
Material
Recorded
Weight
Research required
Mint or printer
Recorded
Mint or printer mark
Research required
Catalogue reference
Recorded
Attached photograph (check rights)
Recorded

Recorded means a field is present, not independently verified. Read its wording, supporting source and the entry’s confidence level.

Catalogue references

Research required

  • Nominal weight not transcribed from a primary reference
  • Diameter and die axis not transcribed
  • Mint mark and officina detail not transcribed
  • No rights-cleared photograph identified yet
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