Heritage World Coin Auctions
Monthly Auction 271726 25 Jun 2017
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Severus Alexander, as Caesar (AD 221-222). AR denarius (2.91 gm). NGC Choice XF 4/5 - 4/5. Rome, under Elagabalus, AD 221-222. M AVR ALEXANDER CAESAR, bare-headed and draped youthful bust of Alexander right / PIETAS AVG, lituus (wand), knife, jug, simpulum and sprinkler. RIC IV 3; RSC 198. Rare issue of Alexander as Caesar! Detailed portrait, lightly toned.
The Roman populace and soldiery soon became disgusted with the decidedly un-Roman behavior of Elagabalus. And so the real power behind the throne, his grandmother Julia Maesa, finally decided that he must be replaced to save the dynasty. She persuaded Elagabalus to adopt his docile and dutiful cousin, Gessius Bassianus Alexianus, then 13, as Caesar in July of AD 221, whereupon he took the name Marcus Aurelius Alexander. The situation was volatile as Elagabalus began to suspect his grandmother's intentions. In March of AD 222 he attempted to strip Alexander of his titles, but the Praetorians put a stop to this by murdering Elagabalus and acclaiming Alexander as Augustus. Coins of Alexander as Caesar, with show him without the customary laurel wreath, were all struck within a nine month period and are decidedly rare now.
HID02901242017
Estimate: 300-400 USD
Severus Alexander, as Caesar (AD 221-222). AR denarius (2.91 gm). NGC Choice XF 4/5 - 4/5. Rome, under Elagabalus, AD 221-222. M AVR ALEXANDER CAESAR, bare-headed and draped youthful bust of Alexander right / PIETAS AVG, lituus (wand), knife, jug, simpulum and sprinkler. RIC IV 3; RSC 198. Rare issue of Alexander as Caesar! Detailed portrait, lightly toned.
The Roman populace and soldiery soon became disgusted with the decidedly un-Roman behavior of Elagabalus. And so the real power behind the throne, his grandmother Julia Maesa, finally decided that he must be replaced to save the dynasty. She persuaded Elagabalus to adopt his docile and dutiful cousin, Gessius Bassianus Alexianus, then 13, as Caesar in July of AD 221, whereupon he took the name Marcus Aurelius Alexander. The situation was volatile as Elagabalus began to suspect his grandmother's intentions. In March of AD 222 he attempted to strip Alexander of his titles, but the Praetorians put a stop to this by murdering Elagabalus and acclaiming Alexander as Augustus. Coins of Alexander as Caesar, with show him without the customary laurel wreath, were all struck within a nine month period and are decidedly rare now.
HID02901242017
Estimate: 300-400 USD