2019-09-16 Mon

Valerius Severus was a Western Roman Emperor from reigning from306 to 307. On 16th September, 307, He is captured and imprisoned at Tres Tabernae. He is later executed (or forced to commit suicide) after Galerius unsuccessfully invades Italy.

Severus was born around the middle of the third century AD in Northern Illyria (now Albania). After serving as an army officer in Pannonia, Severus was appointed, caesar (junior emperor) to the emperor Constantius I and given control of Pannonia, Italy, and Africa. Upon Constantius’ death, Severus was made Augustus of the West by the remaining emperor, Galerius, who controlled the East.

The above shown Follis was issued under his reign from Trier mint. The obverse of a coin represents the laureate head facing right. On the other hand, the reverse of a coin depicts Genius standing left, modius on head, naked but for chlamys over left shoulder (falls low), holding patera and cornucopiae.

Image Source: wikimedia.org