Septimius Severus Coins
Imperator Caesar Lucius Septimius Severus Pertinax Augustus
A native of Leptis Magna in North Africa, Septimius Severus seized power in a three-way civil war and founded the Severan dynasty. He expanded the army, increased military pay, and favoured the legions over the Senate, telling his sons on his deathbed to 'enrich the soldiers and scorn everyone else.'
Septimius Severus militarized the principate, increasing the army's size and pay while openly basing imperial power on military force rather than senatorial consent. His dynasty would rule for four decades and permanently alter the relationship between emperor, army, and state.
Key Events
Coinage
Severan coinage is abundant and reflects the dynasty's military character. The denarius was significantly debased under Septimius Severus, and the dynastic propaganda featuring his wife Julia Domna and sons Caracalla and Geta is a prominent theme across all denominations.
Denominations
Notable Types
- PART MAX types for Parthian victory
- ADVENT AVGG types
- Family group types with Julia Domna, Caracalla, and Geta
- VICTORIAE BRIT types
Common Reverses
Active Mints
Collecting Guide
Septimius Severus is the gateway to Severan coinage and offers more variety than any earlier emperor in terms of mint distribution. His coins were struck at Rome, Laodicea ad Mare, Emesa, and Alexandria, the different mints used distinct portrait styles and fabric, making mint attribution a rewarding skill to develop. The eastern mint denarii (Laodicea, Emesa) are noticeably different from Rome issues: the portraits are often cruder, the flans thinner, and the legends use slightly different abbreviations. Collecting by mint is a natural strategy. The dynastic types featuring Julia Domna, Caracalla, and Geta form a compelling subset, the later deliberate erasure of Geta's name (damnatio memoriae) after his murder adds historical drama. The Parthian victory types (PART MAX) are the signature military series. The standard reference is RIC IV.1.
Market Overview
Septimius Severus denarii are affordable, common Rome-mint types in VF sell for $60–200. Eastern mint denarii (Laodicea, Emesa) command a modest premium of 20–40% due to relative scarcity and collector interest in mint attribution. The denarius shows noticeable debasement during this period, with silver content dropping below 55%, which affects the visual appeal of corroded examples. Sestertii range from $150–700. Julia Domna denarii are in strong demand due to the growing interest in Roman women on coinage and typically sell for $80–250 in VF. Gold aurei start around $4,000. The Severan market is deep and well-supplied, making it an accessible area for new collectors.
Related Resources
Further Reading
- Roman Imperial Coinage, Volume IV, Part 1,
- Roman Coins and Their Values, Volume II,