Watch List notes:

Septimius Severus, (A.D. 193-211), silver denarius, Rome Mint, issued A.D. 204, (3.46 g), obv. laureate head of Septimius Severus to right, around SEVERVS PIVS AVG, rev. around VICT PART MAX, Victory advancing to left, holding wreath and trophy, (S.6372, RIC 295, BMC 365, RSC 744). Extremely fine.

Battles between the Parthian Empire and the Roman Republic began in 54 BC. In 195, another Roman invasion of Mesopotamia began under the Emperor Septimius Severus, who occupied Seleucia and Babylon, and then sacked Ctesiphon yet again in 197. These wars led to the Roman acquisition of northern Mesopotamia, as far as the areas around Nisibis and Singara. A final war against the Parthians was launched by the emperor Caracalla, who sacked Arbela in 216, but after his assassination, his successor Macrinus fought an inconclusive battle against the Parthians at Nisibis, the last engagement of the Parthian Wars.

This coin celebrates Severus's victory and success against the Parthians.