RIC IV Septimius Severus 117
Record status
Individual type · research required
Issuing entity
Roman EmpireRIC IV Septimius Severus 117. Denomination: Denarius. Authority: Septimius Severus. Mint: Rome. The obverse shows head of Septimius Severus, laureate, right, with the legend L SEPT SEV PERT AVG IMP X.
The reverse shows sol, radiate, naked except for cloak over left shoulder, standing left, raising right hand and holding whip in left hand, with the legend P M TR P VI COS II P P.
Evidence at a glance
- Linked sources
- 2
- Photograph views
- 10
- 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
After deposing Didius Julianus, he defeated rival claimants Pescennius Niger in 194 and Clodius Albinus in 197. Severus subsequently conducted successful eastern campaigns against the Parthian Empire, sacking Ctesiphon in 197, before later campaigning in Africa and Britain.
Struck at the mint of Rome, this silver denarius was part of the standard Roman silver denomination originally introduced during the Second Punic War. The coin carries the obverse inscription "L SEPT SEV PERT AVG IMP X" alongside a laureate portrait of the emperor. The reverse displays the deity Sol, radiate and wearing a cloak over the left shoulder, raising the right hand and holding a whip, accompanied by the legend "P M TR P VI COS II P P".
Physical characteristics
- Material
- Silver
- Denomination
- Denarius
Technical characteristics
- Mint
- Rome
- Authority
- Septimius Severus
Design
- Obverse
- Head of Septimius Severus, laureate, right
- Reverse
- Sol, radiate, naked except for cloak over left shoulder, standing left, raising right hand and holding whip in left hand
- Obverse legend
- L SEPT SEV PERT AVG IMP X
- Reverse legend
- P M TR P VI COS II P P
Identification
- Type reference
- RIC IV Septimius Severus 117
- Denomination and metal
- Denarius, Silver
- Obverse legend to match
- L SEPT SEV PERT AVG IMP X
- Reverse legend to match
- P M TR P VI COS II P P
- Source note
- Type description from the American Numismatic Society's Online Coins of the Roman Empire (OCRE); individual specimens differ in die, flan size, weight and wear, and legend breaks may vary.
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
- RIC / OCREric.4.ss.117
Varieties
RIC IV Septimius Severus 101
Same ruler, denomination and reverse type; reverse legend P M TR P V COS II P P differs only in dated titles. Consolidated into this entry.
Research required
- Editorial verification required.
- Weight, diameter and mint marks require specimen-level evidence.
- Museum specimen photographs are linked by the source; local photographs and reuse rights remain unverified.