Roman Imperial Aureus of Pescennius Niger

Roman Empire · 193-194 AD

An ancient Roman gold coin featuring the laureate head of the usurper emperor Pescennius Niger on the obverse and a seated or standing deity/figure on the reverse.

Country: Roman Empire
Year: 193-194 AD
Denomination: Aureus
Metal: Gold (approx. 95-98% fine gold)
Grade: Fine to Very Fine (rough surfaces, granular texture, slight wear on high points)

This report is AI-generated and can be wrong. Always verify grade, authenticity, and value with a qualified dealer or certified grading service before buying, selling, or insuring.

Identified September 14, 2026More roman empire coins →

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Overview

An ancient Roman gold coin featuring the laureate head of the usurper emperor Pescennius Niger on the obverse and a seated or standing deity/figure on the reverse.

Historical significance

Pescennius Niger was a Roman general who was proclaimed emperor by the legions in Syria following the assassination of Pertinax in 193 AD (the Year of the Five Emperors). His reign was brief and limited to the eastern provinces; he was defeated by Septimius Severus at the Battle of Issus in 194 AD, making his coinage extremely rare.

Obverse (front)

Laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust of Pescennius Niger facing right, surrounded by the Latin legend IMP CAES C PESC NIGER IVST AVG.

Reverse (back)

Deity figure standing or seated (such as Salus, Pietas, or Victory), with surrounding legend defining the virtue or divine attribute.

Estimated value

$5,000-$50,000+ depending heavily on authenticity, exact die match, and state of preservation

What drives this coin's value

Absolute rarity of the emperor, surface condition, centering of the strike, and legibility of the obverse legend.

Grade assessment

Fine to Very Fine (rough surfaces, granular texture, slight wear on high points)

Mintage & rarity

Extremely rare, museum-grade rarity due to his very short reign and limited striking capacity in the East.

Authenticity & counterfeit red flags

Consult a professional ancient coin authenticator. Due to extreme rarity and high value, modern electrotypes, cast counterfeits, and altered base-metal forgeries are common.

Notable varieties & errors

Different reverse types corresponding to various eastern mint workshops (officinae) and specific titles within the legend.

Similar coins

Gold aurei of contemporary claimants to the throne like Septimius Severus, Clodius Albinus, and Didius Julianus.

Care & preservation

Do not clean, touch with bare fingers by the faces, store in a PVC-free inert holder or professional numismatic slab, and keep in a climate-controlled environment.