Septimius Severus — Denarius, VOTA PVBLICA, Rome

Struck at Rome in 196 to 197, this denarius comes from the early years of Septimius Severus, the African-born general who took the throne in 193 and founded the Severan dynasty that ruled until 235. The obverse legend L SEPT SEV PERT AVG IMP VIII records his eighth imperial acclamation, which is what dates the issue so closely, and carries the name Pertinax that he adopted in honour of his murdered predecessor. The portrait is the laureate head with the full, forked beard of his mature coinage.

The reverse legend VOTA PVBLICA, the public vows, names the ceremony shown: the emperor himself, veiled and togate as a priest, stands left and pours a libation from a patera over a lighted altar. These were the vows offered on behalf of the state for the emperor's safety and the empire's welfare, renewed at the start of each year and at anniversaries of the accession. On this coin the whole type is on the flan, with the altar clear at the lower left.

Attribution: RIC IV Rome 96A

Mint: Rome

Weight: 2.93 g

Diameter: 19 mm

Catalogued in the NumisLens cabinet — NL-5Y129-FV41P

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Attribution is believed to be correct, but ancient coin attributions can vary and the catalogue reference may be subject to revision.