ROMAN. Pertinax. A.D. 193. Silver Denarius (3.27g). Rome mint. IMP CAES P HELV PERTIN AVG, laureate head right / PROVID DEOR COS II, Providentia, draped, standing left, raising right hand toward small star, left hand on breast. RIC 10a; Lempereur Type 10, 525a (D191/R278, this coin); RSC 43; BMCRE 13. Tiny crack. VF. Pertinax attained the imperial throne through merit rather than birth. The son of a former slave, he advanced through military and provincial offices to the consulship. Appointed urban prefect in A.D. 189, he was proclaimed emperor after Commodus' death in December 192. His strict reforms alienated the Praetorian Guard, leading to his assassination in March 193 after a reign of only 87 days. Acquired from CNG Auction 269 (30.11.2011), lot 360. (P)

Estimate: AUD 1500