Numismatica Ars Classica
Auction 131 30 May 2022
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Pertinax, 1 January – 28 March 193
Aureus 1st January-28th March 193, AV 7.23 g. IMP CAES P HELV – PERTIN AVG Laureate head r. Rev. LAETITIA·TEMP – OR COS II Laetitia standing l., holding wreath and sceptre. C 19. BMC 7. RIC 4a. A.M. Woodward, The Coinage of Pertinax, NC 1957, dies5/k. Calicó 2383 (these dies).
Rare and undoubtedly among the finest aurei of Pertinax in existence. A spectacular
portrait of excellent style struck in high relief. Virtually as struck and Fdc
Ex Triton sale XVIII, 2015, 1140.
A self-made man who rose to prominence through dedication and talent, Pertinax's career was illustrious. His father was a former slave and merchant whose wealth bought Pertinax a good education. Pertinax began his adult life as a teacher, but afterward he embarked on a military career. He rose through the ranks serving in Parthia, Britain and Noricum, subsequently serving as governor of several provinces. In 189 the emperor Commodus appointed him prefect of Rome, and he was still serving in that capacity when Commodus was assassinated on New Year's Eve, 192. Though Pertinax has often been portrayed as an unimpeachable moralist, he was more likely an opportunist who was intimately involved in the plot against Commodus. After his accession, Pertinax may have viewed himself as a benevolent dictator, but the praetorians nonetheless murdered him after a reign of just eighty-six days.
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Aureus 1st January-28th March 193, AV 7.23 g. IMP CAES P HELV – PERTIN AVG Laureate head r. Rev. LAETITIA·TEMP – OR COS II Laetitia standing l., holding wreath and sceptre. C 19. BMC 7. RIC 4a. A.M. Woodward, The Coinage of Pertinax, NC 1957, dies5/k. Calicó 2383 (these dies).
Rare and undoubtedly among the finest aurei of Pertinax in existence. A spectacular
portrait of excellent style struck in high relief. Virtually as struck and Fdc
Ex Triton sale XVIII, 2015, 1140.
A self-made man who rose to prominence through dedication and talent, Pertinax's career was illustrious. His father was a former slave and merchant whose wealth bought Pertinax a good education. Pertinax began his adult life as a teacher, but afterward he embarked on a military career. He rose through the ranks serving in Parthia, Britain and Noricum, subsequently serving as governor of several provinces. In 189 the emperor Commodus appointed him prefect of Rome, and he was still serving in that capacity when Commodus was assassinated on New Year's Eve, 192. Though Pertinax has often been portrayed as an unimpeachable moralist, he was more likely an opportunist who was intimately involved in the plot against Commodus. After his accession, Pertinax may have viewed himself as a benevolent dictator, but the praetorians nonetheless murdered him after a reign of just eighty-six days.
View a video of this lot