SEPTIMIUS SEVERUS
AD 193-211
AR Denarius. 3.40g, 18.8mm
MINTED: Rome mint, AD 202-210
REF: RIC IV 308; Cohen 791
OBVERSE: SEVERVS PIVS AVG, laureate head right.
REVERSE: VOTA SVSCEPTA XX, Septimius togate holding patera and sacrificing left over altar.
 
Provenance:
From an old Swiss collection, purchased in the 1960s/1970s from Numiphil Basel (with their original ticket).

Notes: 
Well-centered, golden toning on reverse with hints of iridescence.  
The reverse legend VOTA SVSCEPTA XX - vows taken for 20 years of the emperor's rule - was forward-looking statement.  If Septimius Severus had ruled for 20 years instead of dying in the 18th year of his reign, he would have then been able to issue VOTA SOLVTA XX coins, acknowledging the fulfilment of the original vows.  
 
Historical Notes:
Septimius Severus was the founder of the Severan Dynasty. He was a native of Leptis Magna (in modern day Libya), born into a wealthy family of mixed Roman Italian and Punic-Berber descent. He came to power in 193, the year during which a civil war erupted following the assassination of Emperor Pertinax by the Praetorian guard. That year saw a total of five men acclaimed Augustus, but it was finally Septimius who won the throne after defeating his rivals Pescennius Niger and Clodius Albinus. 
 
Septimius was an effective if harsh emperor, living up to his name Severus (the Severe). He was also one of the most militarily vigorous emperors, conquering various Arab tribes, the Assyrians at Adiabene, the Caledonians in Britain, as well as defeating the Parthian Empire.