Severus Alexander, 222-235. Aureus (Gold, 21 mm, 6.36 g, 7 h), Rome, 230. IMP SEV ALEXAND AVG Laureate head of Severus Alexander to right, with slight drapery on his left shoulder. Rev. P M TR P VIIII COS III P P Severus Alexander walking right in military attire, holding spear in his right hand and trophy over his left shoulder with his left. BMC 620. Calicó 3121 (same dies). Cohen -. RIC 103. A lustrous, very well centered and sharply struck example. A few light marks, otherwise, virtually as struck.


From the collection of Dipl.-Ing. Adrian Lang and from the George W. La Borde Collection, Numismatica Ars Classica 105, 9 May 2018, 68, ex Classical Numismatic Group 64, 24 September 2003, 1162.

The figure on the reverse of this issue is often described as Romulus, but it is in fact certainly the emperor, as his laurel wreath and similar issues with the legend, VIRTVS AVG, show. However, the similarity to the iconography of Romulus is clearly intended and will undoubtedly have been apparent to the Roman audience.