Pescennius Niger AR Denarius, Antioch Mint, 193-194 AD. Extremely Rare.

Pescennius Niger AR Denarius, Antioch Mint, 193-194 AD. Extremely Rare.

Obverse:

Laureate head of Pescennius Niger facing right. Legend likely IMP CAES C PESC NIGER IVST AVG. Distinctive portrait with pointed beard, characteristic of his Antiochene issues.

Reverse:

Standing or seated figure. Common types: BONI EVENTVS - Bonus Eventus, IVSTITIA AVG - Iustitia, MONETA AVG - Moneta, or VICTOR IVST AVG - Victory. Partial legend visible. Reverse worn with encrustation.

Condition:

•  Grade: Fine details for issue

•  Rarity: Extremely Rare - Usurper defeated by Septimius Severus in 194 AD

•  Mint: Struck at Antioch, not Rome - cruder style is typical

•  Flan: Small, irregular with large edge chip at 7-9 o'clock, common for eastern mint

•  Metal: Silver, toned with heavy porosity and deposits

•  Strike: Off-center on tight flan, typical for Pescennius Niger denarii

•  Wear: Moderate circulation, portrait remains fully identifiable

•  Issues: Major flan break, rough surfaces, corrosion

Historical Note: Pescennius Niger was proclaimed emperor by the eastern legions in 193 AD after Pertinax’s murder. Civil war with Septimius Severus followed. His coinage was struck only at Antioch and Caesarea for about 1 year. All his denarii are scarce to rare.