Heritage World Coin Auctions
ANA Signature Sale 3041 Sess. 4 13 August 2015
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Pertinax (AD 193). AR denarius (19mm, 3.26 gm, 7h). Rome, January-March AD 193. IMP CAES P HELV - PERTIN AVG, laureate head of Pertinax right / AEQVIT AVG - TR P COS II, Aequitas standing left holding balance scales in right hand and cradling cornucopia in left arm. RIC 1 (R2). BMCRE 15. RSC 2. Rare, particularly in high grade. An unimprovable example, sharply struck from fresh dies and displaying no wear. Razor-sharp detail and outstanding metal quality. NGC Choice MS 5/5 - 5/5, Fine Style.As the Senate's choice to replace the dissolute Commodus, the elderly Pertinax immediately launched into a program of reform intended to restore faith in the Roman Empire's government and finances. Among these was a reform of the silver coinage, which had been seriously debased under Commodus. The silver denarii issued by Pertinax show a marked increase in both weight and fineness over the last issues of Commodus. The portraiture was likewise of a high standard, showing the emperor as a distinguished and heavily bearded senior statesman. However it was not to last-- Pertinax was slain by the Praetorians after a reign of less than three months, and the debasement of Rome's coinage soon resumed and accelerated.
Estimate: 12000-16000 USD
Pertinax (AD 193). AR denarius (19mm, 3.26 gm, 7h). Rome, January-March AD 193. IMP CAES P HELV - PERTIN AVG, laureate head of Pertinax right / AEQVIT AVG - TR P COS II, Aequitas standing left holding balance scales in right hand and cradling cornucopia in left arm. RIC 1 (R2). BMCRE 15. RSC 2. Rare, particularly in high grade. An unimprovable example, sharply struck from fresh dies and displaying no wear. Razor-sharp detail and outstanding metal quality. NGC Choice MS 5/5 - 5/5, Fine Style.As the Senate's choice to replace the dissolute Commodus, the elderly Pertinax immediately launched into a program of reform intended to restore faith in the Roman Empire's government and finances. Among these was a reform of the silver coinage, which had been seriously debased under Commodus. The silver denarii issued by Pertinax show a marked increase in both weight and fineness over the last issues of Commodus. The portraiture was likewise of a high standard, showing the emperor as a distinguished and heavily bearded senior statesman. However it was not to last-- Pertinax was slain by the Praetorians after a reign of less than three months, and the debasement of Rome's coinage soon resumed and accelerated.
Estimate: 12000-16000 USD