| Heritage World Coin Auctions > CSNS Signature Sale 3115 | Auction date: 8 May 2024 |
| Lot number: 31095 Price realized: This lot is for sale in an upcoming auction - Bid on this lot  | Show similar lots on CoinArchives Find similar lots in upcoming auctions on  |
| Lot description: Ancients Severus Alexander (AD 222-235). AV aureus (20mm, 6.05 gm, 8h). NGC Choice MS 5/5 - 5/5, Fine Style. Rome, AD 230. IMP SEV ALE-XAND AVG, laureate bust of Severus Alexander right, seen from behind, drapery on left shoulder / P M TR P VIIII-CO-S-III P P, emperor as Romulus, radiate, wearing tunic and sagum (military cloak), walking right, transverse spear in right hand, trophy in left over shoulder. Calicó 3121 (same dies). RIC IV.II 103. Bright and reflective, with a satiny sheen on the reverse. 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 is likely part of the propaganda build-up to war. https://coins.ha.com/itm/ancients/roman-imperial/ancients-severus-alexander-ad-222-235-av-aureus-20mm-605-gm-8h-ngc-choice-ms-5-5-5-5-fine-style/a/3115-31095.s?type=DA-DMC-CoinArchives-WorldCoins-3115-05082024 HID02906262019 © 2024 Heritage Auctions | All Rights Reserved Estimate: 10000-14000 USD |  |
