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Triton XXV 11-12 Jan 2022
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Pertinax. AD 193. AR Denarius (20mm, 3.51 g, 7h). Rome mint. IMP CAES P HELV PERTIN • AVG, laureate head right / PROVID DEOR COS II, Providentia, draped, standing left, raising right hand toward small star, left hand on breast. RIC IV 11a; Lempereur Type 10, 525a (D191/R278 – this coin); RSC 43; BMCRE 13. Lovely cabinet tone with some spots of darker tone on the reverse. Superb EF. Broad flan, great portrait. Exceptional
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Ex MDC Monaco 7 (12 June 2021), lot 46 (hammer €15,000); Palombo 19 (12 December 2020), lot 104; ArtCoins Roma 3 (3 May 2011), lot 385.
Helvius Pertinax followed a long and winding path to the imperial throne. His father was a former slave who upon freedom became a successful wool merchant. With his wealth, he was able to have his son educated and Pertinax became a grammaticus. In 161, he left his teaching position, opting instead for a military career and greater pay. Once there, he quickly distinguished himself and was rapidly promoted from commander of a cohort to military tribune, then to consul, and eventually to proconsul in several provinces, including Upper and Lower Moesia, Dacia, Syria, Britain and Africa. During his tenure in the army and as proconsul he acquired a reputation for probity and severity, which lead on occasion to mutinies, one of which almost cost him his life. In 189, Commodus appointed him urban prefect of Rome, and from this position he was offered the throne upon the death of Commodus on the last day of December, 192 AD. Unfortunately, the strict measures Pertinax instituted to reform the government and military antagonized important factions, and the emperor was assassinated by disgruntled praetorians on 28 March 193, after a reign of only 87 days.
.
Ex MDC Monaco 7 (12 June 2021), lot 46 (hammer €15,000); Palombo 19 (12 December 2020), lot 104; ArtCoins Roma 3 (3 May 2011), lot 385.
Helvius Pertinax followed a long and winding path to the imperial throne. His father was a former slave who upon freedom became a successful wool merchant. With his wealth, he was able to have his son educated and Pertinax became a grammaticus. In 161, he left his teaching position, opting instead for a military career and greater pay. Once there, he quickly distinguished himself and was rapidly promoted from commander of a cohort to military tribune, then to consul, and eventually to proconsul in several provinces, including Upper and Lower Moesia, Dacia, Syria, Britain and Africa. During his tenure in the army and as proconsul he acquired a reputation for probity and severity, which lead on occasion to mutinies, one of which almost cost him his life. In 189, Commodus appointed him urban prefect of Rome, and from this position he was offered the throne upon the death of Commodus on the last day of December, 192 AD. Unfortunately, the strict measures Pertinax instituted to reform the government and military antagonized important factions, and the emperor was assassinated by disgruntled praetorians on 28 March 193, after a reign of only 87 days.