Catalog
See full images - free registration
Continue with Google - no registration!
or register with email
Why register? Just to keep bots out of our catalog. Your email stays private - we will never share it or send you anything uninvited. We guarantee you that!
Denarius - Pescennius Niger BONI EVENTVS, Fides
| Issuer | Syria, Usurpations of |
|---|---|
| Year | 193-194 |
| Type | Log in to see details |
| Value | Denarius (1) |
| Currency | Log in to see details |
| Composition | Log in to see details |
| Weight | Log in to see details |
| Diameter | Log in to see details |
| Thickness | Log in to see details |
| Shape | Log in to see details |
| Technique | Log in to see details |
| Orientation | Log in to see details |
| Engraver(s) | Log in to see details |
| In circulation to | Log in to see details |
| Reference(s) | Log in to see details |
| Obverse description | Laureate head of the usurper Pescennius Niger facing right, rendered in the provincial style characteristic of the Antioch mint. The portrait displays a mature male visage with short hair surmounted by a laurel wreath, the neck truncation clearly defined. The encircling legend, partially obscured by die wear and flan irregularity, reads IMP CAES C PES NIGER IVS AVG. The workmanship reflects the somewhat cruder engraving typical of coins struck hastily during the civil war period of 193–194 AD. |
|---|---|
| Obverse script | Log in to see details |
| Obverse lettering | Log in to see details |
| Reverse description | Log in to see details |
| Reverse script | Latin |
| Reverse lettering | Log in to see details |
| Edge | Log in to see details |
| Mint | Log in to see details |
| Mintage | Log in to see details |
| Additional information |
Pescennius Niger's claim to the purple lasted less than two years. Proclaimed emperor by the Syrian legions in 193 AD following the murder of Pertinax, he controlled the wealthy eastern provinces but never held Rome, and was defeated by Septimius Severus at the Battle of Issus in 194 before being killed in flight shortly after. His coinage was struck at Antioch, the only mint under his control, which accounts for the stylistic differences from contemporary Roman output.
The RSC "var." notation here is worth attention — minor legend or die variations within this type are not uncommon given the compressed, militarily pressured production window.