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ANA Signature Sale 3094  19-20 Aug 2021
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Lot 32062

Estimate: 10 000 USD
Price realized: 16 000 USD
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Ancients
Severus Alexander (AD 222-235). AV aureus (21mm, 7.10 gm, 1h). NGC Choice MS 5/5 - 4/5, Fine Style. Rome, ca. AD 231-235. IMP ALEXANDER PIVS AVG, laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust of Severus Alexander right, seen from front / IOVI PRO-PVGNATORI, Jupiter standing facing, nude but for chlamys flying behind, head right, eagle standing right, head reverted in outstretched left hand, leaning left about to hurl thunderbolt in right hand. RIC IV.II 237. Calicó 3061a (same dies). Perfectly struck from fresh dies on highly lustrous flan.

From the Monaco Collection. Ex collection of GK, Ukrainian Emigrant (Roma Numismatics, Auction XXI, 24 March 2021), lot 669; Numismatica Ars Classica, Auction 91 (23 May 2016), lot 41; Freeman & Sear, private sale (July 2005)

The reign of Severus Alexander presents the last relatively tranquil interlude before the mid-third century storm swept away the Pax Romana. He was born Marcus Julius Gessius Bassianus Alexianus, in AD 208, into a clan of Syrian nobility from the caravan city of Emesa. His maternal grand-aunt, Julia Domna, was married to the Emperor Septimius Severus, making him part of an Imperial family that was largely dominated by a clique of strong-minded and clever women, all named Julia. His grandmother Julia Maesa engineered the Severan dynasty's return to power in AD 218, by fomenting the military coup that placed Alexander's cousin Varius Avitus, known to history as Elagabalus, on the throne. Once ensconced in Rome, however, Elagabalus' behavior grew ever more erratic and outrageous. In AD 222, fearing for the dynasty's future, Maesa engineered the murder of Elagabalus and his replacement by her other, more docile grandson, Alexander. Handsome and affable, the youth was really never more than a figurehead ruler, first for Maesa and then, after her death in AD 225/6, for his mother Julia Mamaea

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Estimate: 10000-15000 USD
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