Nomos AG, 83
Pescennius Niger. AD 193-194. AR Denarius (18mm, 3.04 g, 12h). Antioch mint. IMP CAES C PESC NIGER IVST AVG, laureate head right / VIC-TO-RIAE AVG, Victory standing left, holding wreath in outstretched right hand, left hand on hip or raising drapery. RIC IV 87c var. (Victory holding wreath and palm); RSC 75h; BMCRE 315 var. (placement of rev. legend). Good VF, attractive old cabinet tone.
Following the death of Pertinax in AD 193, and the “sale” of the Roman throne by the Praetorian Guard to Didius Julianus, the governor of Syria, Pescennius Niger, was hailed emperor by the legions under his command. Septimius Severus, who had been proclaimed emperor by the Danubian legions at about the same time, first secured his power by subduing Rome, then marched to encounter Niger. In the ensuing battles, Severus proved to be the stronger adversary and Niger was overtaken as he attempted escape to Parthia. He was executed and his head was sent to Severus, who then ruthlessly slaughtered the rest of Niger's family.
