 The silver purity decreased from 78.5% to 64.5% – the silver weight dropping from 2.46 grams to 1.98 grams.In 196 he reduced the purity and silver weight of the denarius again, to 54% and 1.82 grams respectively.Severus' currency debasement was the largest since the reign of Nero, compromising the long-term strength of the economy.