The end of an era, the last Severan Emperor

[expat]

A coin I received this morning, Severus Alexander. The second youngest Emperor, 14 years of age. He was killed alongside his Mother in 235 CE by his own military. That signalled the end of the Severan dynasty and ushered in 50 years of the 3rd Century crisis.

SEVERUS ALEXANDER.
Denarius.
231 AD.
Rome mint.
Obv/ IMP ALEXANDER PIVS AVG, laureate, draped and cuirassed bust right.
Rev/ P M TR P X COS III P P, Sol, radiate, standing left, nude except for cloak over left shoulder, holding globe and raising right hand in salute.
Cat: RIC 109D; RSC 411
Silver (Ar) 3,3g - 21mm

Post your Severans, especially Orbiana, wife of Caracalla. She is my next target

Edited November 19, 2024 by expat

[ambr0zie]

This was surely a typo as Orbiana was the wife of Severus Alexander. 

16 minutes ago, expat said:

Orbiana, wife of Caracalla.

My Orbiana denarius saw better days, but nevertheless not your everyday denarius 

17 mm, 2,68 g.
Orbiana. Augusta 225-227. AR denarius. Rome. 227 AD.
SALL BARBIA ORBIANA AVG, bust of Orbiana, diademed, draped, right / CONCORDIA AVGG, Concordia, draped, seated left, holding patera in right hand and double cornucopiae in left hand.
RIC IV Severus Alexander 319; BMC 287-290; RSC 1.

The man himself 

18 mm, 2,7 g.
Severus Alexander 222-235 AD. AR denarius. Rome. 222-228.
IMP C M AVR SEV ALEXAND AVG, bust of Severus Alexander, laureate, draped, right / PROVIDENTIA AVG, Providentia, draped, standing left, holding wand in right hand and sceptre in left hand ; at feet, a globe.
RIC IV Severus Alexander 173.

[expat]

@ambr0zie Yes you are of course correct. I had a coin of Caracalla in my hand just before posting this.

[Qcumbor]

Nice acquisition @expat

SA and Orbiana :

 

Q

[Orange Julius]

Here’s one that’s beautiful but way off center… making it just $25. 😁

Severus Alexander Denarius. 232 AD. IMP ALEXANDER PIVS AVG, laureate, draped and cuirassed bust right / SPES PVBLICA, Spes walking left holding flower and hem of skirt. RIC 254, RSC 546.

[JayAg47]

Here's an overweight Severus Alexander at 4.35g, really odd for the time-period. 

Severus Alexander
225 AD.
19mm, 4.35 grams, unusually heavy for a third century denarius.
IMP C M AVR SEV ALEXAND AVG, laureate and draped bust of Severus Alexander to right.
Reverse - FIDES MILITVM, Fides standing front, head to left, holding two military standards. BMC 220; Cohen 52; RIC 139.
Ex Incitatus Coins, Apr 2023.

[rasiel]

This thread makes me realize that my Severans are pretty meh. Not terrible but need to up my game. I think they're just so easy to acquire that (for those like me who are mainly in the "one of each" camp) it's tempting to just go with the first halfway decent sample that comes up. I'm a sucker for top shelf portraits and the best tend to be either gold or sestertii --> which in this period is unfortunately reserved for those who own monocles and top hats 

Rasiel

[CPK]

No top hat required for this one.  😄

SEVERUS ALEXANDER, AD 222-235
AE Sestertius (31.74mm, 21.57g, 12h)
Struck AD 225. Rome mint
Obverse: IMP CAES M AVR SEV ALEXANDER AVG, laureate, draped and cuirassed bust of Severus Alexander right
Reverse: IOVI VLTORI, Jupiter enthroned left, holding Victory and resting on spear; S C in exergue
References: RIC IV 560 var. (bust cuirassed), RCV 7969

A scarce type with a particularly fine early portrait. Richly toned orichalcum color.

"This attractive sestertius (worth one-quarter of the silver denarius) is dated by Carson (in BMCRE) to AD 225, the year following 
Alexander’s rededication of Elagabalus’ temple of Sol Invictus to Jupiter Ultor (the ‘Avenger’). It would seem that this structure was actually Domitian’s temple of Jupiter Victor in the northeastern corner of the Palatine, which had been rededicated by Elagabalus to the eastern sun god of which he had been the chief priest in his native Emesa. In an attempt to erase the memory of Elagabalus’ disgraceful regime, the temple was hurriedly restored to Jupiter early in the reign of his successor, hence the change in the god’s title to the ‘Avenger’."

- David R. Sear, COA historical & numismatic notes

 

[rasiel]

1 hour ago, JayAg47 said:

Here's an overweight Severus Alexander at 4.35g, really odd for the time-period. 

Severus Alexander
225 AD.
19mm, 4.35 grams, unusually heavy for a third century denarius.
IMP C M AVR SEV ALEXAND AVG, laureate and draped bust of Severus Alexander to right.
Reverse - FIDES MILITVM, Fides standing front, head to left, holding two military standards. BMC 220; Cohen 52; RIC 139.
Ex Incitatus Coins, Apr 2023.

That is indeed something special. Out of the 15,000 or so I'm keeping track of only a couple dozen have higher reported weights. Great find 👍

Rasiel

[Nerosmyfavorite68]

I only have perhaps 4 of 5 coins of this highly underrated emperor.  The only nice one is a 'mint state' (EF) denarius from a 1997 HJB Buy or Bid sale.

[shanxi]

Two provincial coins

Severus Alexander, AD 222 - 235
Asia Minor, Pisida, Selge
Obv: ΑΥ Κ Μ ΑΥΡ ΣΕΟΥ ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡΟΣ, ΑΥ Κ Μ ΑΥΡ ΣΕΟΥ ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡΟΣ, laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust right
Rev.: ΣΕΛΓΕΩΝ, Artemis drawing arrow, stag and tree left
AE, 18mm, 4.18g
Ref.: BMC 79; SNG PfPS 460

 

Severus Alexander
Alexandria
Billon-Tetradrachm
Obv.: A KAI MAP AYP CEY AΛEΞANΔPOC, Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust right, seen from behind
Rev.: LB (year 2 = 222/223), Eagle standing left, head turned right, holding wreath in beak
Billon, 14.22g, 23mm
Ref.: Dattari 4407 var. (legend)

[seth77]

Same emission in 231, but Sol is holding whip, sestertius:

 

[Limes]

Nice addition! 

Here's my only SA:

[Ancient Coin Hunter]

A sestertius with a slight yellowish encrustation.

 

 

[Marsyas Mike]

Great coins in this post.  This gives me an opportunity to post a new one - a scarce dupondius of Alexander's mom Julia Mamaea.  Thanks to @Roman Collector for the information on this issue (see below):

Julia Mamaea     Æ Dupondius (228 A.D.) Rome Mint; 9th emission IVLIA MAMAEA AVGVSTA, diademed and draped bust right on crescent / FELICITAS PVBLICA, S-C, Felicitas standing front, holding caduceus and leaning on column RIC IV Severus Alexander 678. (12.75 grams / 25 x 24 mm) eBay Oct. 2024 Notes:  "For the first few years of Severus Alexander's reign...the dupondii of his mother, Julia Mamaea, continued to use the same bust style as that of asses issued for her, a diademed and draped bust. However, the ninth issue of the reign, AD 228, witnessed the introduction of the crescent on the dupondii issued for Mamaea to indicate a double denomination and to distinguish them from the as..."  Roman Collector, CT Oct. 2019

Die-Match Obverse: (All OCRE specimens)

Münzsammlung des Seminars für Alte Geschichte der Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Identifier ID4202

American Numismatic Society Bronze Dupondius of Severus Alexander, Rome, 1893.999.13

Münzkabinett der Universität Göttingen  Identifier 157258

[Orange Julius]

I do also have this old photo of an Alexandrian Tetradrachm of nice style from his later reign. The green looks like bronze disease but is hard, stable mineralization that hasn’t changed in the decade I’ve owned the coin.

Emmett 3101

[Anaximander]

20 hours ago, Qcumbor said:

SA and Orbiana :

Q

I have the same pairing (his and hers) as you, @Qcumbor: Providentia and Concordia.
     

 

   

 

[DonnaML]

I don't have much:

Severus Alexander AR Denarius 225 AD Rome Mint. Obv. Laureate head right, IMP C M AVR SEV ALEXAND AVG. / Rev. Fides standing facing, head left, holding standard in each hand, FIDES - MIL - ITVM. RIC IV-2 139, RSC III 52, Sear RCV II 7864. 19 mm., 2.9 g.

He looks happy on this coin:

Severus Alexander AR Denarius 232 AD Rome Mint. Obv. Laureate and draped bust right, seen from front, IMP ALEXANDER PIVS AVG/ Rev. Mars Ultor (“Mars the Avenger”) advancing right in military dress, holding transverse, spear and shield, cape flying behind, MARS VLTOR. RIC IV-2 246, RSC III 161a (ill.), Sear RCV II 7882 (ill.), BMCRE 831. 20 mm., 2.91 g.

A sestertius:

Severus Alexander AE (Orichalcum) Sestertius, AD 232, Rome Mint. Obv. Laureate bust right with slight drapery on left shoulder, IMP SEV ALE – XANDER AVG / Rev. Victory standing right, left foot raised to rest on helmet, inscribing VOT / X in two lines on shield set on trunk of palm tree, VICTORIA AVGVSTI; S – C [Senatus Consulto] across lower fields. 33 mm., 21.95 g. RIC IV-2 616, BMCRE VI 643, Sear RCV III 8021, Cohen 567. Purchased 22 Oct. 2023 from Carthago Numismatics (Kefi Mansouri), L'Isle Adam, Ile de France, France; ex Tunisian hoard.*  

*Issued to commemorate decennial of Severus Alexander’s reign, as well as to celebrate initial victories in campaign against Sassanian Empire.

I need to try to re-photograph this one, because it looks better in hand:

Sallustia Orbiana (wife of Severus Alexander) AR Denarius 225-227 AD. Rome mint. Some authorities describe the type as a special marriage emission of Severus Alexander, AD 225. Obv: SALL BARBIA ORBIANA AVG, Draped bust right, wearing stephane/  Rev: CONCORDIA AVGG, Concordia seated left, holding patera and double cornucopiae. RIC IV-2 319 (Sev. Alexander); RSC III 1, BMCRE 287 (Sev. Alexander). 19 mm., 3.5 g. 

Mom:

Julia Mamaea (mother of Severus Alexander), AR Denarius, AD 228, Rome Mint. Obv. Draped bust right wearing diadem (or stephane), IVLIA MA-MAEA AVG/ Rev. Felicitas standing front, head to left, legs crossed, resting left elbow on column and holding long caduceus* transversely in right hand, FELICI-TAS PVBLICA. RIC IV-2 335, RSC III Julia Mamaea 17 (ill. p. 148), Sear RCV II 8209 (ill. p. 678), BMCRE VI (Severus Alexander) 483. 20 mm., 2.64 g. Purchased 8 Mar 2024 from Gert Boersma Ancient Coins, Hasselt, Netherlands.

 

*See John Melville Jones, A Dictionary of Ancient Roman Coins (London, Seaby, 1999) at p. 166 (entry for “Felicitas”), explaining that Felicitas signified “joy” in the sense of the prosperity and success of the Roman state. The formulation “Felicitas Publica” emphasizes that aspect. See also id p. 43 (entry for “Caduceus”), noting that the caduceus “often … appears as an attribute of . . . personifications suggesting peace, stability, and concert,” including Felicitas.

[Phil Anthos]

My only one...

Severus Alexander / Jupiter

222-231 AD AE Sestertius (27mm, 19.30g) O: Laureate head right, slight drapery over left shoulder; IMP SEV ALEXANDER AVG. R: Jupiter standing left, holding lightning bolt and sceptre, Alexander at his feet; IOVI CONSERVATORI, S-C. RIC 558 / Cohen 74 / BMC 692 / Sear 2246

[Ancient Coin Hunter]

2 hours ago, DonnaML said:

I don't have much:

Severus Alexander AR Denarius 225 AD Rome Mint. Obv. Laureate head right, IMP C M AVR SEV ALEXAND AVG. / Rev. Fides standing facing, head left, holding standard in each hand, FIDES - MIL - ITVM. RIC IV-2 139, RSC III 52, Sear RCV II 7864. 19 mm., 2.9 g.

He looks happy on this coin:

Severus Alexander AR Denarius 232 AD Rome Mint. Obv. Laureate and draped bust right, seen from front, IMP ALEXANDER PIVS AVG/ Rev. Mars Ultor (“Mars the Avenger”) advancing right in military dress, holding transverse, spear and shield, cape flying behind, MARS VLTOR. RIC IV-2 246, RSC III 161a (ill.), Sear RCV II 7882 (ill.), BMCRE 831. 20 mm., 2.91 g.

A sestertius:

Severus Alexander AE (Orichalcum) Sestertius, AD 232, Rome Mint. Obv. Laureate bust right with slight drapery on left shoulder, IMP SEV ALE – XANDER AVG / Rev. Victory standing right, left foot raised to rest on helmet, inscribing VOT / X in two lines on shield set on trunk of palm tree, VICTORIA AVGVSTI; S – C [Senatus Consulto] across lower fields. 33 mm., 21.95 g. RIC IV-2 616, BMCRE VI 643, Sear RCV III 8021, Cohen 567. Purchased 22 Oct. 2023 from Carthago Numismatics (Kefi Mansouri), L'Isle Adam, Ile de France, France; ex Tunisian hoard.*  

*Issued to commemorate decennial of Severus Alexander’s reign, as well as to celebrate initial victories in campaign against Sassanian Empire.

I need to try to re-photograph this one, because it looks better in hand:

Sallustia Orbiana (wife of Severus Alexander) AR Denarius 225-227 AD. Rome mint. Some authorities describe the type as a special marriage emission of Severus Alexander, AD 225. Obv: SALL BARBIA ORBIANA AVG, Draped bust right, wearing stephane/  Rev: CONCORDIA AVGG, Concordia seated left, holding patera and double cornucopiae. RIC IV-2 319 (Sev. Alexander); RSC III 1, BMCRE 287 (Sev. Alexander). 19 mm., 3.5 g. 

Mom:

Julia Mamaea (mother of Severus Alexander), AR Denarius, AD 228, Rome Mint. Obv. Draped bust right wearing diadem (or stephane), IVLIA MA-MAEA AVG/ Rev. Felicitas standing front, head to left, legs crossed, resting left elbow on column and holding long caduceus* transversely in right hand, FELICI-TAS PVBLICA. RIC IV-2 335, RSC III Julia Mamaea 17 (ill. p. 148), Sear RCV II 8209 (ill. p. 678), BMCRE VI (Severus Alexander) 483. 20 mm., 2.64 g. Purchased 8 Mar 2024 from Gert Boersma Ancient Coins, Hasselt, Netherlands.

 

*See John Melville Jones, A Dictionary of Ancient Roman Coins (London, Seaby, 1999) at p. 166 (entry for “Felicitas”), explaining that Felicitas signified “joy” in the sense of the prosperity and success of the Roman state. The formulation “Felicitas Publica” emphasizes that aspect. See also id p. 43 (entry for “Caduceus”), noting that the caduceus “often … appears as an attribute of . . . personifications suggesting peace, stability, and concert,” including Felicitas.

That Mamaea portrait is wonderful Donna

[Gumrum]

I managed to secure a bit of a 'glow up' for my example of Alexander... Below is what I started with (my first 'impulse buy', i.e. buying a coin I knew wasn't going to meet the standard I set for my collection, but bought it anyway due to its low price)

Denarius of Emperor Severus Alexander, from the mint of Rome, c. 231 - 235, RIC IV Severus Alexander 246c
Obv: IMP ALEXANDER PIVS AVG | Imperator Alexander Pius Augustus [Supreme commander (Imperator) Aemilianus, the pious, emperor]
Rev: MARS VLTOR | Mars Ultor [Mars, the avenger]

And here's the Alexander denarii glow up!


Denarius of Emperor Severus Alexander, from the mint of Rome, c. 231, RIC IV Severus Alexander 109d
Obv: Bust of Severus Alexander, laureate, draped, right | IMP ALEXANDER PIVS AVG | Imperator Alexander Pius Augustus [Supreme commander (Imperator) Aemilianus, the pious, emperor]
Rev: Sol, radiate, nude except for cloak over left shoulder, standing left, raising right hand and holding globe in left hand | P M TR P X COS III P P | Pontifex Maximus, Tribunicia Potestate Decima, Consul Tertium, Pater Patriae [High priest, holder of tribunician power for the tenth time, consul for the third time, father of the nation]

I think there's certainly a difference between the two... I'm far happier with my latest example of Severus Alexander, but I'm keeping the other example as a not-too-painful reminder to myself to never buy a coin simply for its price, but to always picture how that coin would look nice to the other, nicer examples in my collection!

Thanks for sharing your examples!
 

[Julius Germanicus]

On 11/20/2024 at 5:02 AM, CPK said:

No top hat required for this one.  😄

SEVERUS ALEXANDER, AD 222-235
AE Sestertius (31.74mm, 21.57g, 12h)
Struck AD 225. Rome mint
Obverse: IMP CAES M AVR SEV ALEXANDER AVG, laureate, draped and cuirassed bust of Severus Alexander right
Reverse: IOVI VLTORI, Jupiter enthroned left, holding Victory and resting on spear; S C in exergue
References: RIC IV 560 var. (bust cuirassed), RCV 7969

A scarce type with a particularly fine early portrait. Richly toned orichalcum color.

"This attractive sestertius (worth one-quarter of the silver denarius) is dated by Carson (in BMCRE) to AD 225, the year following 
Alexander’s rededication of Elagabalus’ temple of Sol Invictus to Jupiter Ultor (the ‘Avenger’). It would seem that this structure was actually Domitian’s temple of Jupiter Victor in the northeastern corner of the Palatine, which had been rededicated by Elagabalus to the eastern sun god of which he had been the chief priest in his native Emesa. In an attempt to erase the memory of Elagabalus’ disgraceful regime, the temple was hurriedly restored to Jupiter early in the reign of his successor, hence the change in the god’s title to the ‘Avenger’."

- David R. Sear, COA historical & numismatic notes

 

ex Julius Germanicus Collection, ex Naville Auction 27.05.2018, lot 744.

Banti (Nr.22) lists only 3 specimens, of which this may be the best.

Glad it found a great new home 🥰

[Qcumbor]

While we're at him, I have a few other S.A. coins :

Severus Alexander, Denarius - Rome mint, 225 CE 
IMP C M AVR SEV ALEXAND AVG, Laureate head of Severus Alexander right
IOVI VLTORI, Jupiter seated left holding victory and spear
3.26 gr
Ref : RCV #7873 (75), Cohen #97

 

Severus Alexander, Sestertius - Rome mint, 231 CE
IMP SEV ALEXANDER AVG, Laureate bust of Severus Alexander righ, with light drapery on left shoulder
IOVI CONSERVATORI, Jupiter standing left, holding thunderbolt and sceptre, with a small figure of the emperor at his feet, SC in field
14.75 gr
Ref : RCV #7966, Cohen # 74

 

Severus Alexander, Antoninianus - Rome mint, 250/251 CE
DIVO ALEXANDRO Radiate head right
CONSECRATIO Eagle facing
3.38 gr
Ref : RIC IV # 97, Cohen # 599, RCV # 9484

 

Severus Alexander, Antoninianus - Rome mint, 250/251 CE
DIVO ALEXANDRO Radiate head right
CONSECRATIO Large altar
3.84 gr
Ref : RIC IV # 98, Cohen # 598, RCV # 9485

 

Severe Alexandre ( 222 - 235) - Tétradrachme de l'atelier d'Alexandrie, AD 225-226 
A KAI M AYΡ CЄOΥΗΡ ΑΛЄΞΑΝΔΡΟC ЄΥCЄΒ, Buste lauré et drapé à droite vu par l'arrière
L ΠЄΜΠΤΟΥ (5° année de règne), Serapis debout, la tête à gauche, vetu de la Kalathos, levant la main droite et tenant dans sa main gauche un sceptre.
28 mm - 13.47gr - 12 h
Ref : Emmett # 3134/5 (R1), Kampmann # 62.70, RPC VI online # 10333 (temporary), Dattari (Savio) # 4357

For more "in depth understanding of those issues see here

Q