All coins of Pertinax are rarely encountered due to his exceptionally brief reign, which lasted less than three months.
Pertinax was proclaimed emperor following the assassination of Commodus on 1 January AD 193. An experienced military commander, administrator and senator, he attempted to restore the Empire’s finances and re-establish discipline within the army. These reforms met with fierce opposition from the Praetorian Guard, whose soldiers murdered him on 28 March AD 193.
The reverse of this denarius is particularly poignant. Pertinax is shown performing a sacrifice, holding a patera over a tripod. The legend VOT DECEN refers to vows undertaken for ten years of prosperous rule. In view of the emperor’s violent death after only several weeks on the throne, the type carries a striking historical irony.
An example with a distinct and characteristic portrait of Pertinax. The reverse is more worn, although the principal design remains identifiable. Flan cracks and traces of circulation.
A rare denarius of one of Rome’s shortest-reigning emperors, with a symbolic reverse anticipating ten years of rule an ambition abruptly ended after less than three months.
Roman Imperial
Pertinax (193), Denarius 193, Rome mint
Obverse: laureate head right
IMP CAES P HELV PERTIN AVG
Reverse: Pertinax, veiled, togate, sacrificing out of patera in right hand over tripod
VOT DECEN TR P COS II
Diameter 18 mm, weight 3.13 g
