That there were Eastern mints striking in the names of Septimius Severus is certain on the grounds of style, legends and reverse types. The location of these mints however is not certain, but it seems most likely that at least one was in Syria. Since Antioch, the capital of Syria and indeed the chief city of the Eastern half of the Empire, had recognised Pescennius Niger, governor of Syria, as Emperor in June 193, it was clearly impractical for Severus to establish his mint there. Laodicea ad Mare was the great rival to Antioch, and naturally claimed for Severus, thus providing a probable location for his Eastern mint. After Niger's defeat in 194, Laodicea ad Mare was made capital of Syria, and the mint continued in operation, working as a branch of the mint at Rome, producing similar types and striking coins also in the names of the Empress Julia Domna, and her two sons Caracalla and Geta. Although production ceased sometime in 202 or early 203, a pattern had been set and the use of a provincial mint in this way became the norm during the third century.