RIC IV Septimius Severus 166
Record status
Individual type · research required
Issuing entity
Roman EmpireRIC IV Septimius Severus 166. Denomination: Denarius. Authority: Septimius Severus. Mint: Rome. The obverse shows head of Septimius Severus, laureate, right, with the legend SEVERVS AVG PART MAX.
The reverse shows providentia, draped, standing left, holding in right hand wand over globe set on ground and sceptre in left hand, with the legend PROVID AVGG.
Evidence at a glance
- Linked sources
- 2
- Photograph views
- 11
- 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
Lucius Septimius Severus ruled as Roman emperor from 193 to 211, seizing power during the Year of the Five Emperors after the death of Pertinax. Following civil conflicts against rivals Pescennius Niger and Clodius Albinus, Severus conducted military campaigns in the east against the Parthian Empire, sacking Ctesiphon in 197. His elder son, Caracalla, was elevated to the rank of Augustus in 198.
Struck at the Rome mint, this silver denarius served as the standard silver denomination of the Roman Empire. The obverse bears the emperor's portrait along with the title "SEVERVS AVG PART MAX", referencing his successes against Parthia. The reverse portrays the personification Providentia holding a wand over a globe and carrying a sceptre, accompanied by the inscription "PROVID AVGG".
Physical characteristics
- Material
- Silver
- Denomination
- Denarius
Technical characteristics
- Mint
- Rome
- Authority
- Septimius Severus
Design
- Obverse
- Head of Septimius Severus, laureate, right
- Reverse
- Providentia, draped, standing left, holding in right hand wand over globe set on ground and sceptre in left hand
- Obverse legend
- SEVERVS AVG PART MAX
- Reverse legend
- PROVID AVGG
Identification
- Type reference
- RIC IV Septimius Severus 166
- Denomination and metal
- Denarius, Silver
- Obverse legend to match
- SEVERVS AVG PART MAX
- Reverse legend to match
- PROVID AVGG
- 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.166
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.