Pertinax Coins, 193 AD–193 AD

Publius Helvius Pertinax was a self-made man who rose from humble origins to become a senator and general. Chosen by the Senate as emperor immediately after Commodus's assassination on New Year's Eve 192 AD, he attempted to restore fiscal discipline and senatorial dignity. After only 87 days, the Praetorian Guard, resentful of his austerity and disappointed at his refusal to pay a full donative, murdered him in the palace.

Pertinax became a symbol of senatorial virtue betrayed by military indiscipline. Septimius Severus, who used his memory as a pretext for marching on Rome, deified him and struck commemorative coins in his honour. Genuine Pertinax denarii are scarce; the posthumous DIVVS PERTINAX types are somewhat more commonly encountered.

Key Events

1 January 193 AD Commodus assassinated; Pertinax acclaimed emperor by the Senate that same night

193 AD Attempted to restore treasury solvency by auctioning Commodus's possessions

March 193 AD Praetorian mutiny narrowly suppressed; unrest continued

28 March 193 AD Murdered by a group of Praetorian soldiers who stormed the palace; his head displayed on a spear

Coinage

The coinage of Pertinax is rare owing to his reign of under three months. All issues were struck at Rome. His portrait shows an elderly, bearded man with a careworn expression, entirely consistent with a 66-year-old emperor who knew the precariousness of his position. The reverse types (OPI DIVIN, LAETITIA TEMPOR) project optimism that his reign could not fulfil.

Denominations

Aureus Denarius Sestertius As

Notable Types

OPI DIVIN (Divine Plenty), expressing hope for prosperity
LAETITIA TEMPOR (Joy of the Times) types
PROVID DEORVM types
Posthumous DIVVS PERTINAX types struck by Septimius Severus

Common Reverses

OPI DIVIN LAETITIA TEMPOR PROVID DEORVM AEQVIT AVG

Active Mints

Rome

Pertinax Coins

Key Events

Coinage

Related Resources

Further Reading