Watch List notes:

JDL Collection Part II: Roman Coins
THE ROMAN EMPIRE.

SEVERUS ALEXANDER, March 14, 222–February/March

235. Sestertius, Rome 231, Æ 20.76 g.
Obv. IMP SEV ALE-XANDER AVG His laureate and cuirassed bust right with drapery on left shoulder; border of dots.
Rev. PROFECTIO AVGV-STI Severus Alexander on horse right, holding spear, preceded by Victory walking right; in exergue, S C. Border of dots.
Literature
Cohen - cf. 492 (cuirass missing)
BMC RE VI - cf. 189, 750, pl. 26 (same obverse die, legend differently separated on reverse)
RIC IV/2, 118, 596
Banti 144
M.-M. Bendenoun, Coins of the Ancient World, A portrait of the JDL Collection, Tradart, Genève, 2009, 79 (this coin)
Condition
Very rare. Green patina somewhat tooled, otherwise good very fine.

Provenance
Maison Platt, Paris, March 1982, lot 622
Monnaies et Médailles SA 28, Basel 1964, lot 431 Christie, Manson & Woods Ltd., London, 30 May 1949, lot 312.
Former Fitzwilliam Wentworth collection.
As successor to his cousin Elagabalus, whose fanatical beha- viour 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.