Septimius Severus AR Denarius Laodicea ad Mare AEQVITATI AVGG RIC 500

Septimius Severus, Denarius, silver, reign 193–211, struck AD 199 at Latakia (Laodicea ad Mare); 3.22 g; 18 mm. Obverse: L SEPT SEV AVG IMP XI PART MAX; laureate head of Septimius Severus right. Reverse: AEQVITATI AVGG; Aequitas standing left, holding scales and cornucopiae. Eastern engraving style with angular epigraphy; well-centered strike on a compact flan, slight softness at the reverse center with legends largely complete. Reference: RIC IV Septimius Severus 500. Historical significance: Issued in the eastern provinces soon after the Parthian campaign, this denarius records Severus’ eleventh imperatorial acclamation and the title Parthicus Maximus gained following the capture of Ctesiphon (AD 198). The mint at Laodicea ad Mare operated while the imperial court was in Syria, producing silver to meet regional monetary needs. The reverse legend AEQVITATI AVGG, using the plural AVGG, advertises the joint rule of Severus and his co-Augustus Caracalla from 198 and promotes equitable governance and reliable standards symbolized by Aequitas with scales and cornucopia.