Heritage World Coin Auctions
ANA Signature Sale 3033 8 August 2014
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Severus Alexander (AD 222-235). AV aureus (19mm, 5.80 gm, 7h). Rome, AD 230. IMP SEV ALEXAND AVG, laureate head of Alexander right, slight drapery on left shoulder / P M TR P VIIII COS III P P, Romulus, radiate, walking right, carrying spear and trophy. RIC 103. Calicó 3121 (same dies). Deeply struck and lustrous, with mirror-like fields. NGC Choice MS 5/5 - 4/5, Fine Style.The first eight years of Severus Alexander's reign were mercifully free of serious external threats. In AD 230, however, the new Sasanian king of Persia, Ardashir I, staged a major invasion of Rome's eastern provinces, besieging the important border city of Nisibis and raiding as far as Cappadocia. Peaceful by nature and with no military training, Alexander was ill-equipped to deal with the situation. His mother Julia Mamaea, the real ruler of the state, made peace offers to the Sasanians, which were haughtily rebuffed. Alexander was thus compelled to mount an expedition to the east. The martial tone of this beautiful aureus, struck in 230, is likely part of the propaganda build-up to war.
Estimate: 12000-15000 USD
Severus Alexander (AD 222-235). AV aureus (19mm, 5.80 gm, 7h). Rome, AD 230. IMP SEV ALEXAND AVG, laureate head of Alexander right, slight drapery on left shoulder / P M TR P VIIII COS III P P, Romulus, radiate, walking right, carrying spear and trophy. RIC 103. Calicó 3121 (same dies). Deeply struck and lustrous, with mirror-like fields. NGC Choice MS 5/5 - 4/5, Fine Style.The first eight years of Severus Alexander's reign were mercifully free of serious external threats. In AD 230, however, the new Sasanian king of Persia, Ardashir I, staged a major invasion of Rome's eastern provinces, besieging the important border city of Nisibis and raiding as far as Cappadocia. Peaceful by nature and with no military training, Alexander was ill-equipped to deal with the situation. His mother Julia Mamaea, the real ruler of the state, made peace offers to the Sasanians, which were haughtily rebuffed. Alexander was thus compelled to mount an expedition to the east. The martial tone of this beautiful aureus, struck in 230, is likely part of the propaganda build-up to war.
Estimate: 12000-15000 USD