Numismatica Ars Classica
Auction 106 9-10 May 2018
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Severus Alexander, 222 – 235. Aureus 226, AV 6.00 g. IMP C M AVR SEV – ALEXAND AVG Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust r. Rev. P M TR – P V – COS II P P Severus Alexander seated l. on curule chair on platform, extending r. hand; at his r. side, Liberalitas standing l., holding cornucopiae and abacus. At base of platform, citizen raising both hands; in exergue, LIB AVG III. C –. BMC –. RIC –. NAC sale 23, 2002, 1620 (laureate and draped bust). Calicó 3110a (this coin).
An apparently unique variety of a very interesting reverse type known in only
two specimens. Perfectly struck in high relief and good extremely fine
Ex Triton I, 1997, 1567; NAC 24, 2002, European Nobleman, 162 and NAC 62, 2011, Markoff, 2051 sales.
As successor to his cousin Elagabalus, whose fanatical behaviour made him unpopular in virtually all social circles, Severus Alexander represented a return to normalcy – or at least as close as was possible. He was hailed Caesar in the middle of 221 as a counterbalance to Elagabalus, and early in the next year he replaced his cousin as emperor, for Elagabalus made the fatal error of forcing the praetorian guardsmen to choose between them. Both had been about 14 years old when they ascended the throne, but Alexander proved more willing to take the advice of his family elders: his mother Julia Mamaea and his grandmother Julia Maesa. Docile by nature, Alexander showed little desire for independent action, and the careful maternal tutelage he received no doubt contributed to his reign lasting thirteen years. When this important aureus was struck, Alexander was 17 or 18 years old, and already had reigned longer than his unfortunate cousin. Alexander is shown distributing coins to a diminutive figure who climbs a ladder at the front of the platform upon which Liberalitas stands beside the emperor, who sits on a curule chair. The rectangular object held by Liberalitas is traditionally described as a counting device (an abacus), but it might be a coin counter in the form of a flat board with shallow, coin- size depressions matching the appropriate number of coins required for distribution. Such a device no doubt would have added greatly to the efficiency and the accuracy of such distributions.
An apparently unique variety of a very interesting reverse type known in only
two specimens. Perfectly struck in high relief and good extremely fine
Ex Triton I, 1997, 1567; NAC 24, 2002, European Nobleman, 162 and NAC 62, 2011, Markoff, 2051 sales.
As successor to his cousin Elagabalus, whose fanatical behaviour made him unpopular in virtually all social circles, Severus Alexander represented a return to normalcy – or at least as close as was possible. He was hailed Caesar in the middle of 221 as a counterbalance to Elagabalus, and early in the next year he replaced his cousin as emperor, for Elagabalus made the fatal error of forcing the praetorian guardsmen to choose between them. Both had been about 14 years old when they ascended the throne, but Alexander proved more willing to take the advice of his family elders: his mother Julia Mamaea and his grandmother Julia Maesa. Docile by nature, Alexander showed little desire for independent action, and the careful maternal tutelage he received no doubt contributed to his reign lasting thirteen years. When this important aureus was struck, Alexander was 17 or 18 years old, and already had reigned longer than his unfortunate cousin. Alexander is shown distributing coins to a diminutive figure who climbs a ladder at the front of the platform upon which Liberalitas stands beside the emperor, who sits on a curule chair. The rectangular object held by Liberalitas is traditionally described as a counting device (an abacus), but it might be a coin counter in the form of a flat board with shallow, coin- size depressions matching the appropriate number of coins required for distribution. Such a device no doubt would have added greatly to the efficiency and the accuracy of such distributions.