£152.11

Severus Alexander, 222-235 AD, AE Sestertius, Providentia, struck 232 AD
Ruler/Emperor:
Severus Alexander
City/Region:
Rome mint
Denomination:
AE Sestertius
Composition:
Orichalcum
Date:
Struck 232 AD, Issue 15
Obverse:
IMP ALEXANDER PIVS AVG, Bust of Severus Alexander, seen from the front, bearded, laureate, draped and curaissed, facing right
Reverse:
PROVIDENTIA AVG, Providentia draped, standing front, head turned left, holding in right hand corn ears over modius filled with corn-ears and, in left, cornucopiae; S C, left and right, in field
Size:
30.06mm, 20.1g, 1h
Grade:
VF, well centred, attractive dark-green patina, small edge cracks at 2/4h
Provenance:
Ex Classical Numismatic Group eAuction 410 (29 November 2017), Lot 1082 (part of)
References:
BMCRE VI 881; RIC IV 642b; Cohen IV 505; Banti 148; SRCV II 8014

List of references used by Ancient Coin Traders


The S-C is fairly high in the field of this coin. BMCRE provides little guidance on what the different heights of the S-C which differentiate the different catalogue numbers. This coin could alternatively be attributed to a variant of BMCRE 883-887.

Severus Alexander was Roman Emperor from 222 to 235 AD. He was the last emperor of the Severan dynasty. His death marked the beginning of the Crisis of the Third Century, during which the Roman Empire would almost crumble. He was assassinated in 235 AD by mutinous soldiers paving the way for Maximus to become Roman Emperor. This coin was issued late into his reign by which stage he had developed a fully grown beard. Derived from the word 'providere' (to foresee), Providentia is the divine personification of foresight and making provision. Its use on coinage was to show that the emperor could foresee the needs of his empire and provide for his people.
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