Numismatica Ars Classica
Auction 135 21 Nov 2022
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The Roman Empire. Pertinax, 1 January – 28 March 193.
Aureus 1 January – 28 March 193, AV 7.19 g. IMP CAES P HELV – PERTIN AVG Laureate head r. Rev. LAETITIA TE – MPOR COS II Laetitia standing l., holding wreath and sceptre. C 19. BMC 7. A.M. Woodward, The Coinage of Pertinax, NC 1957, pl. 10, 6. RIC 4a. Calicó 2383b (this obverse die).
Rare. An elegant portrait of fine style well-struck in high relief on a
full flan. Virtually as struck and Fdc
Ex NAC sale 33, 2006, 515.
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.
Graded Ch AU Strike 5/5 Surface 5/5 Fine Style, NGC certification number 6556714-019
Aureus 1 January – 28 March 193, AV 7.19 g. IMP CAES P HELV – PERTIN AVG Laureate head r. Rev. LAETITIA TE – MPOR COS II Laetitia standing l., holding wreath and sceptre. C 19. BMC 7. A.M. Woodward, The Coinage of Pertinax, NC 1957, pl. 10, 6. RIC 4a. Calicó 2383b (this obverse die).
Rare. An elegant portrait of fine style well-struck in high relief on a
full flan. Virtually as struck and Fdc
Ex NAC sale 33, 2006, 515.
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.
Graded Ch AU Strike 5/5 Surface 5/5 Fine Style, NGC certification number 6556714-019