Septimius Severus Sestertius, Mars (RIC IV 723a)

Catalog Reference

RIC IV Septimius Severus 723a

Ruler

Septimius Severus

Denomination

Sestertius

Date

196 AD

Mint

Rome

Metal

Bronze

Portrait Type

laureate

Obverse

L SEPT SEV PERT AVG IMP VIII

Head of Septimius Severus, laureate, right

Reverse

P M TR P IIII COS II P P S C

Mars, helmeted, naked except for cloak over shoulders and chest, holding spear in right hand and resting left hand on oval shield; at feet, left, cuirass

About This Type

This RIC IV Septimius Severus 723a is a sestertius of Septimius Severus (196 AD), struck at the Rome mint. The reverse depicts Mars, helmeted, naked except for cloak over shoulders and chest, holding spear in right hand and resting left hand on oval shield; at feet, left, cuirass.

About the Sestertius

The sestertius was the large brass prestige coin of the Roman imperial series, typically 25–28 grams and 30–35mm in diameter. Its size gave engravers room for the finest portrait art and most detailed reverse compositions in Roman coinage. Sestertii bear the SC mark indicating senatorial authority over base metal coinage.

About the Rome Mint

The Rome mint was the principal mint of the Roman state from the Republic through the fall of the Western Empire. It produced the vast majority of gold and silver coinage and was the only mint for much of the first and second centuries AD.

All Septimius Severus coins Rome mint All Sestertius coins

Frequently Asked Questions

What is RIC IV Septimius Severus 723a?: RIC IV Septimius Severus 723a is a Bronze Sestertius of Septimius Severus (196 AD) struck at the Rome mint cataloged under RIC vol. IV no. IV Septimius Severus 723a.
How do you identify RIC IV Septimius Severus 723a?: The obverse depicts Head of Septimius Severus, laureate, right with the inscription L SEPT SEV PERT AVG IMP VIII. The reverse depicts Mars, helmeted, naked except for cloak over shoulders and chest, holding spear in right hand and resting left hand on oval shield; at feet, left, cuirass with the inscription P M TR P IIII COS II P P S C. Portrait type: laureate.