Æ17 - Septimius Severus ΑΦΡΟΔΙϹΙΕΩΝ

Aphrodisias held a privileged position among Carian cities — the sanctuary of Aphrodite granted it asylum rights, and a series of imperial letters, including those from Augustus and later confirmed by Hadrian, exempted the city from direct taxation. Local bronze coinage under Septimius Severus reflects a civic authority confident in its relationship with Rome, minting on its own terms during a reign defined by military usurpation and the civil wars of 193–197 that followed the death of Pertinax.