Septimius Severus, 193-211, Denarius

Septimius Severus, Denarius, AR, reign AD 193–211; struck at Laodicea ad Mare (Syria), circa AD 194–195. 2.69 g; 18 mm. Obv: L SEPT SEV PERT AVG IMP II; laureate head right. Rev: MONETA AVG; Moneta standing left, holding scales and cornucopiae. Eastern issue from Laodicea ad Mare, struck on a compact flan typical for the series. Ref: RIC IV 460A.

Issued early in the reign during the civil war against Pescennius Niger, this Eastern denarius bears the honorific PERT to associate Severus with Pertinax and the title IMP II marking his second acclamation in AD 194. Laodicea ad Mare served as a regional mint to fund operations in Syria and the Levant; the MONETA reverse references the state mint and the provision of coinage for military pay and administration.