CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICITY
- Emperor:
- Severus Alexander
- Denomination:
- AE Sestertius
- Composition:
- Orichalcum
- Date:
- Struck 232 AD, Issue 15
- Obverse:
- IMP ALEXANDER PIVS AVG, Bust of Severus Alexander, bearded, laureate, slight drapery on left shoulder, facing right
- Reverse:
- PROVIDE-NTIA AVG, Providentia draped, standing front, head turned left, holding in right hand corn ears over modius filled with corn-ears and, in left, cornucopiae; S C, left and right, in field
- Reference:
- BMCRE VI 888-889; RIC IV 642b; Cohen IV 503 var. (laureate bust right); Banti 147; SRCV II 8014
- Size:
- 29.31mm, 18.1g, 12h
- Province:
- Rome mint
- Grade:
- VF, well centred, weak reverse strike, attractive dark-green patina
- Provenance:
- Ex Classical Numismatic Group eAuction 410 (29 November 2017), Lot 1082 (part of)
Severus Alexander was Roman Emperor from 222 to 235 AD. He was the last emperor of the Severan dynasty. His death marked the beginning of the Crisis of the Third Century, during which the Roman Empire would almost crumble. He was assassinated in 235 AD by mutinous soldiers paving the way for Maximus to become Roman Emperor. This coin was issued late into his reign by which stage he had developed a fully grown beard. Derived from the word 'providere' (to foresee), Providentia is the divine personification of foresight and making provision. Its use on coinage was to show that the emperor could foresee the needs of his empire and provide for his people.
I, Peter A. Piliouras of Ancient Coin Traders irrevocably guarantee for life to the Purchaser that this ancient coin is authentic. If this coin is deemed not to be authentic by a professional certification service, then I will refund to the Purchaser the full cost of acquiring the coin (including shipping) together with the certification fees.
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Signed: Peter Anthony Piliouras
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Date