Pertinax, 1st January – 28 th March 193.   Aureus 1st January-28th March 193, AV 7.08 g. IMP CAES P HELV – PERTIN AVG Laureate head r. Rev. VOT DECEN TR P COS II Pertinax, veiled, standing l., sacrificing out of patera over tripod. C 55. NMC 22. RIC 13a. Woodward, NC 1957, obverse die K. Calicó 2391.
Extremely rare. A magnificent portrait of superb style perfectly struck
and centred on a full flan. Good extremely fine

A self-made man who rose to prominence through dedication and talent, Pertinax’s career was illustrious. His father was a former slave and merchant whose wealth bought Pertinax a good education. Pertinax began his adult life as a teacher, but afterward he embarked on a military career. He rose through the ranks serving in Parthia, Britain and Noricum, subsequently serving as governor of several provinces. In 189 the emperor Commodus appointed him prefect of Rome, and he was still serving in that capacity when Commodus was assassinated on New Year’s Eve, 192. Though Pertinax has often been portrayed as an unimpeachable moralist, he was more likely an opportunist who was intimately involved in the plot against Commodus. After his accession, Pertinax may have viewed himself as a benevolent dictator, but the praetorians none the less murdered him after a reign of just eighty-six days.