Collection Item – Teece Museum of Classical Antiquities

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Coin, bronze sestertius, Alexander Severus; 227 CE; 180.96.29

From:UC Teece Museum of Classical Antiquities

Name/TitleCoin, bronze sestertius, Alexander Severus

About this objectBronze sestertius issued during the reign of Alexander Severus (AD 222-235). Mint unknown, AD 227. The obverse features a draped bust of the emperor in a dotted border.

Alexander Severus, also known as Severus Alexander, was emperor of Rome from 222-235 CE. He was born in Phoenicia in 209 CE and given the birth name Gessius Bassianus Alexianus. His cousin Elagabalus (emperor from 218-222 CE) was persuaded to adopt him as son and heir by their grandmother Julia Maesa in 221 CE.

Alexianus quickly became more popular than his cousin, who attempted to have him assassinated. This led to the praetorian guard killing Elagabalus, and Alexianus ascended the throne, taking the name Marcus Aurelius Severus Alexander to emphasise his Severan family links.

Alexander Severus was a patron of literature, and encouraged learning and education, dedicating his hours of relaxation to studying historians, orators, and poets. He would attend the public schools to listen to the speeches of his subjects. During his reign, many stately buildings and porticoes were built in Rome, and he kept the provinces well supplied.

Fittingly, the reverse of this sestertius shows Pax, the Roman goddess of peace, with a branch raised in her right hand and a sceptre in her left. The titles listed around the figure allow us to work out the date the coin was minted, 227 CE.

Date Made227 CE

PeriodImperial (Roman)

Place NotesMint unknown

Medium and MaterialsMetal: Bronze

Style and IconographyRoman

Inscription and MarksObverse: IMP CAES M·AVR SEV ALEXANDER AVG
(Imperator Caesar Marcus Aurelius Severus Alexander Augustus
Emperor (Commander-in-Chief) Caesar Marcus Aurelius Severus Alexander, Augustus

Reverse:
PM TP(sic) RP VI COS PP [the extra P in TPRP appears to be an error]
(Pontifex Maximus Tribunicia Potestas VI Consul Pater Patriae)
Highest Priest, Tribunician Power (authority to veto legislation) for the 6th time, Consul, Father of his Country

S C
(Senatus Consultum)
By decree of the Senate

TechniqueStriking (metalworking)

MeasurementsWeight 22.12g
Diameter ca. 31mm

Subject and Association KeywordsEmperors

Subject and Association KeywordsKings and rulers in art

Subject and Association KeywordsGods in art

Subject and Association KeywordsNumismatics

Subject and Association KeywordsInscriptions, Latin

Named CollectionThe James Logie Memorial Collection, University of Canterbury, New Zealand

Credit LineDonated by M.K. Steven, 1996.

Object TypeExchange Media

Object number180.96.29