Septimius Severus AR Denarius Rome AD 196–197 Adventus IMP VIII RIC 74

Septimius Severus, denarius, silver; reign AD 193–211, Rome mint, AD 196–197; 3.30 g, 19 mm. Obverse: L SEPT SEV PERT AVG IMP VIII, laureate head right. Reverse: ADVENTVI AVG FELICISSIMO, Septimius Severus in military attire on horseback prancing right, raising right hand. Struck at Rome for the adventus issue; centrally struck with the reverse type fully presented and mostly complete legends. RIC IV Septimius Severus 74.

This adventus type commemorates the emperor’s ceremonial arrival, understood for this issue to be at Rome in AD 196, following eastern campaigns and coinciding with the breach with Clodius Albinus. The obverse titulature with IMP VIII fixes the dating to this phase of the civil wars. The equestrian reverse, a standard adventus motif, broadcast the emperor’s presence and military command during the consolidation of Severan rule.