Septimius Severus. AD 193-211. AR Denarius (18mm, 3.19 g, 6h). Laodicea mint. Struck AD 194-195. Laureate head right / INVICTO IMP, trophy with captured arms below. RIC IV 389 (Emesa); RSC 232. Near VF, numerous test cuts across the obverse.
An interesting coin that someone defaced in antiquity with numerous test cuts, perhaps thinking that it is a fourrée. While it appears that there might be copper in the cuts, closer examination reveals that there are surface deposits in the cuts and elsewhere. Also, the weight is within the correct range for a silver denarius.