Roma Numismatics Ltd
Auction XI 7 April 2016
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Severus Alexander and Julia Mamaea Æ Bimetallic Medallion. Rome, special emission of AD 228-230. IMP SEVERVS ALEXANDER AVG IVLIA MAMAEA AVG, laureate, draped and cuirassed bust of Alexander facing draped bust of Mamaea, wearing stephane; MATER AVG below / FELICITAS TEMPORVM, Severus Alexander, draped, holding globe and mappa, seated left on curule chair and being crowned by Victory; Felicitas standing right, facing female standing left, in front. Gnecchi II, p. 84, 2. For an analogous issue of smaller module see the following references: Gnecchi III, pp. 44-5, 16 and pl. 153, 4-5; BMC, Roman Medallions p. 41, 1 pl. 40; BMC VI, 540; Toynbee cf. p. 147 note 5 and pl. 27, 2 (gold); RIC IV.II, 661. 42.27g, 37mm, 12h.
Near Extremely Fine. Some very minor corrosion and encrustation, but otherwise pleasing patina. Of excellent style, obv. well struck in extremely high relief.
Robert Carson attributed this type to the special issues of 228 (RIC IV pp. 69-70), but the engraving style and composition is similar to the securely VOT X dated medallions of AD 230, cf. Gnecchi III, p. 45, no. 20.
Roman bimetallic medallions were donative by nature on behalf of the emperor or the senate and commemorated events, presentation pieces and diplomatic presents. From Antonine times they were produced in two metals, a central portion of soft copper and an outer rim of harder bronze which provided a large area for striking complex designs with oversized dies engraved by master die cutters. The present piece is an example of the work of just such a master die cutter, being of pleasing style and composition.
Repeatedly criticised for being under the sway of women whist emperor, Severus Alexander was raised to the purple after his cousin Elagabalus was killed by his guards and his remains desecrated by being thown into the Tiber. Elagabalus had ruled in Rome for a scandalous four years, and after the excesses of his predecessor the peace time reign of Alexander was properous and settled. The reverse type used on this medallion marks just that, with FELICITAS TEMPORVM (Prosperity of the Times) marking a 'Golden Age' mentality that the young emperor and his mother were keen to promote.
However, the peace was not to last as the Sasanian Persian army rose in the east under Ardashir I, giving cause for Alexander to lead the Roman army against them. Although some successes were achieved and the Sasanids checked for a time, it was during his Germanic campaigns in 235 that the peace built by Alexander and Mamaea finally broke completely when the emperor was murdered by his own troops, leading to nearly fifty years of civil wars, foreign invasion, and collapse of the monetary system.
Near Extremely Fine. Some very minor corrosion and encrustation, but otherwise pleasing patina. Of excellent style, obv. well struck in extremely high relief.
Robert Carson attributed this type to the special issues of 228 (RIC IV pp. 69-70), but the engraving style and composition is similar to the securely VOT X dated medallions of AD 230, cf. Gnecchi III, p. 45, no. 20.
Roman bimetallic medallions were donative by nature on behalf of the emperor or the senate and commemorated events, presentation pieces and diplomatic presents. From Antonine times they were produced in two metals, a central portion of soft copper and an outer rim of harder bronze which provided a large area for striking complex designs with oversized dies engraved by master die cutters. The present piece is an example of the work of just such a master die cutter, being of pleasing style and composition.
Repeatedly criticised for being under the sway of women whist emperor, Severus Alexander was raised to the purple after his cousin Elagabalus was killed by his guards and his remains desecrated by being thown into the Tiber. Elagabalus had ruled in Rome for a scandalous four years, and after the excesses of his predecessor the peace time reign of Alexander was properous and settled. The reverse type used on this medallion marks just that, with FELICITAS TEMPORVM (Prosperity of the Times) marking a 'Golden Age' mentality that the young emperor and his mother were keen to promote.
However, the peace was not to last as the Sasanian Persian army rose in the east under Ardashir I, giving cause for Alexander to lead the Roman army against them. Although some successes were achieved and the Sasanids checked for a time, it was during his Germanic campaigns in 235 that the peace built by Alexander and Mamaea finally broke completely when the emperor was murdered by his own troops, leading to nearly fifty years of civil wars, foreign invasion, and collapse of the monetary system.