Severus Alexander, Silver Denarius
Dublin Core
Title
Severus Alexander, Silver Denarius
Subject
Severus Alexander, Silver Denarius, 222-235 CE.
OBVERSE: IMP C M AVR SEV ALEXAND AVG (Imperator Caesar Marcus Aurelius Severus Alexander Augustus) Severus Alexander facing left with laurel crown.
REVERSE: PAX AUG C. (Pax Augustus, Clausentum) Pax standing left, holding branch and scepter.
OBVERSE: IMP C M AVR SEV ALEXAND AVG (Imperator Caesar Marcus Aurelius Severus Alexander Augustus) Severus Alexander facing left with laurel crown.
REVERSE: PAX AUG C. (Pax Augustus, Clausentum) Pax standing left, holding branch and scepter.
Description
Severus Alexander was put into power after the assassination of his cousin, Elagabalus, in 222 CE. As opposed to his cousin, Severus respected Roman tradition and behaved in accordance with Roman law. He was a wise ruler, though it is rumored that he was guided heavily by his mother.
The beginning of his reign was relatively peaceful, but, around 234 CE, barbarian invaders overran Gaul and forced him to gather arms and try to reclaim the lost territory. His lack of enthusiasm caused disillusionment among the troops and, in 235 CE, he was assassinated, along with his mother, by a group of mutinous soldiers. His death marks the end of the Severan dynasty and the beginning of another tumultuous struggle among his hopeful successors.
This coin is probably from later in his reign as his earliest coins show a young boy - he was only 14 when he ascended to the throne - and not the young man found on this coin.
Clausentum, C as seen on the REVERSE of the coin, was a mint in England. Coins sometimes bore a mint mark, or a letter that stood for where the coin was produced.
The beginning of his reign was relatively peaceful, but, around 234 CE, barbarian invaders overran Gaul and forced him to gather arms and try to reclaim the lost territory. His lack of enthusiasm caused disillusionment among the troops and, in 235 CE, he was assassinated, along with his mother, by a group of mutinous soldiers. His death marks the end of the Severan dynasty and the beginning of another tumultuous struggle among his hopeful successors.
This coin is probably from later in his reign as his earliest coins show a young boy - he was only 14 when he ascended to the throne - and not the young man found on this coin.
Clausentum, C as seen on the REVERSE of the coin, was a mint in England. Coins sometimes bore a mint mark, or a letter that stood for where the coin was produced.
Source
Gift of James and Aneta McIntyre, Hallie Ford Museum of Art, Salem, OR. 2006.010.045
Date
ca. 222-235 CE
Rights
Hallie Ford Museum of Arts
Format
0.960 in
0.285 oz
0.285 oz
Language
Latin
Type
Coin
Coverage
This item can be viewed on Hallie Ford Museum of Art's website.
Citation
“Severus Alexander, Silver Denarius,” Hallie Ford Museum of Art Exhibits, accessed December 26, 2024, https://library.willamette.edu/hfma/omeka/items/show/96.