Laodicea ad Mare was a city whose political status was transformed by its support for the emperor Septimius Severus during the civil war of AD 193–194. Following the assassination of Pertinax, several provincial governors claimed the imperial throne, including Septimius Severus and Pescennius Niger, governor of Syria. Niger established his position in the eastern provinces, receiving the support of one of the largest cities in the Roman East, Antioch.

The rivalry between the two claimants soon extended to the cities of Syria, and Laodicea was taken by forces loyal to Niger. In AD 194, Severus defeated Niger at the Battle of Issus in Cilicia, bringing the eastern civil war to an end. Niger was captured and killed, leaving Severus in control of the East. Following his victory, Severus rewarded Laodicea for its loyalty while punishing Antioch for supporting his rival. Laodicea was made a metropolis and became the capital of the newly established province of Syria Coele.

Antioch temporarily lost its civic status and was placed under the authority of Laodicea. Severus further strengthened Laodicea's provincial political position by granting the city the status of Roman Colony. Although this coin was struck years after the civil war, it is a part of the extensive provincial coinage issued at Laodicea under the reign of the emperor who changed the city’s standing in Roman Syria.