{"title":"Severus Alexander Silver Denarii, Authenticated Severan Coinage AD 222 to 235","description":"\u003cp\u003eSeverus Alexander reigned for thirteen years, from AD 222 to AD 235, and was murdered by his own troops on the Rhine frontier at age twenty-six. He became emperor at thirteen — accession after the assassination of his cousin Elagabalus — and through his entire reign the actual ruler of Rome was his mother Julia Mamaea, daughter of Julia Maesa, granddaughter of the empress Julia Domna. Severus Alexander was the last emperor of the Severan dynasty. His death in AD 235 opened the fifty-year period later called the Crisis of the Third Century.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThis collection is Aurora's current stock of Severus Alexander silver denarii — two authenticated examples. Both RIC-referenced, photographed obverse and reverse at 2,048 pixels, independently reviewed by a numismatist, and backed by Aurora's written lifetime authenticity guarantee.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eWhy Severus Alexander coinage matters\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eSeverus Alexander's denarii close the classical denarius tradition. The silver standard at his accession was already declining — about 2.4 to 2.8 grams at 45 to 55 percent fineness — and by his death the denarius was effectively replaced by the antoninianus introduced under his cousin Caracalla. After AD 235 the silver denarius continues only as sporadic issues; by the 240s it has vanished.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eSeverus Alexander's portraits are also unusual in Roman numismatics for showing the same emperor across nearly a decade of growth. He acceded at thirteen with a beardless adolescent portrait. By the mid-220s the portrait shows wisp-of-beard transition into adulthood. The mature reign portraits, struck in the early 230s before his murder, show a young man of twenty-three to twenty-six — clean-shaven still, in the youthful Severan family style. The numismatic record tracks the personal development of an emperor in a way few other reigns do.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eWhat to check on a Severus Alexander denarius\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe portrait should be beardless or show only the faintest wisp. The hair should be short and forward-combed, in the late-Severan style shared with Caracalla and the dynasty's other men but without the brutal scowl of Caracalla. The legend will run IMP SEV ALEXAND AVG or IMP C M AVR SEV ALEXAND AVG depending on issue date. Weight should fall in the 2.4 to 3.0 gram range. The reverse should match a published RIC IV Severus Alexander type — common Severus Alexander reverses include Mars, Pax, Felicitas, Annona, and personifications of Roman virtues consistent with the late-Severan court's self-presentation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe full authentication framework is at \u003ca href=\"\/blogs\/questions-and-answers\/how-to-authenticate-an-ancient-roman-coin\"\u003ehow to authenticate an ancient Roman coin\u003c\/a\u003e. The abbreviated titulature is decoded at \u003ca href=\"\/blogs\/questions-and-answers\/what-do-the-letters-on-roman-coins-mean\"\u003ewhat the letters on Roman coins mean\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eWhy buy a Severus Alexander denarius from Aurora\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eTwo reasons. First, pre-vetted authenticity: seven antiquarian markers, RIC reference confirmed, OCRE cross-reference, independent numismatist sign-off. Second, the written lifetime authenticity guarantee. Both coins in this collection ship insured worldwide from Belgium with provenance documentation. For the wider Severan dynasty context, see \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/severan-dynasty-coins\"\u003ethe Severan dynasty coin collection\u003c\/a\u003e (11 pieces including Julia Maesa and Julia Mamaea silver). For the full Roman silver catalogue, see \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/coins\"\u003eall Roman coins\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"aurora-coin-c-020-s","title":"Roman Silver Denarius 'Severus Alexander' (224 CE, RIC IV Severus Alexander 37)","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRoman Silver Denarius 'Severus Alexander' (224 CE, RIC IV Severus Alexander 37)\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eA fine (f) denarius struck under Severus Alexander at Rome in 224 CE.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eObverse\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eLegend:\u003c\/em\u003e IMP C M AVR SEV ALEXAND AVG\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eFull Latin:\u003c\/em\u003e IMPERATOR C MARCVS AVR SEV ALEXAND AVGVSTVS\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eTranslation:\u003c\/em\u003e Emperor, Marcus, Augustus\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eDescription:\u003c\/em\u003e Imperial portrait.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eReverse\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eLegend:\u003c\/em\u003e P M TR P III COS P P\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eFull Latin:\u003c\/em\u003e PIVS MARCVS TRIBVNICIA PIVS III CONSVL PIVS PIVS\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eTranslation:\u003c\/em\u003e Dutiful, Marcus, of the Tribunate, Consul\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eDescription:\u003c\/em\u003e Mars, helmeted, in military attire standing left, holding olive-branch in right hand and spear reversed in left hand\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eHistorical context\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSeverus Alexander reigned 222-235 CE under the strong influence of his mother Julia Mamaea. His denarii are the last Imperial silver issues struck on a sustained high-silver standard before the antoninianus replaced the denarius for over a century. Reverses honor Mars, Jupiter, and the Virtus that the Senate hoped his rule would restore.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eDenomination: Denarius\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eMint: Rome\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eDate struck: 224 CE\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eReference: RIC IV Severus Alexander 37\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eWeight: 2.7 g\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eDiameter: 20 mm\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eDie axis: \u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eCondition: Fine (F)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWear it as a pendant\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis coin can be paired with our \u003ca href=\"\/products\/handmade-925-silver-chain-with-bail\"\u003ehandmade 925 silver chain with bail\u003c\/a\u003e to wear it as a pendant. The bail is custom-fitted to the coin and fully reversible — the original artifact remains untouched. Add the chain to your order alongside this piece, or leave it in its original form.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eProvenance\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAcquired by Aurora Antiqua directly. Each piece is independently evaluated, identified, and documented by Aurora Antiqua before listing. A certificate of authenticity is included.\u003c\/p\u003e\n","brand":"Aurora Antiqua","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":61808124920138,"sku":"C-020-S","price":140.0,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0897\/7140\/9738\/files\/C-020-S-01-obverse-1.jpg?v=1778504459"},{"product_id":"aurora-coin-c-022-s","title":"Roman Silver Denarius 'Severus Alexander' (229 CE, RIC IV Severus Alexander 92)","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRoman Silver Denarius 'Severus Alexander' (229 CE, RIC IV Severus Alexander 92)\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eA fine (f) denarius struck under Severus Alexander at Rome in 229 CE.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eObverse\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eLegend:\u003c\/em\u003e IMP SEV ALEXAND AVG\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eFull Latin:\u003c\/em\u003e IMPERATOR SEV ALEXAND AVGVSTVS\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eTranslation:\u003c\/em\u003e Emperor, Augustus\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eDescription:\u003c\/em\u003e Imperial portrait.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eReverse\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eLegend:\u003c\/em\u003e P M TR P VIII COS III P P\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eFull Latin:\u003c\/em\u003e PIVS MARCVS TRIBVNICIA PIVS VIII CONSVL III PIVS PIVS\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eTranslation:\u003c\/em\u003e Dutiful, Marcus, of the Tribunate, Consul\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eDescription:\u003c\/em\u003e Mars walking left, holding olive branch, spear and shield\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eHistorical context\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSeverus Alexander reigned 222-235 CE under the strong influence of his mother Julia Mamaea. His denarii are the last Imperial silver issues struck on a sustained high-silver standard before the antoninianus replaced the denarius for over a century. Reverses honor Mars, Jupiter, and the Virtus that the Senate hoped his rule would restore.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eDenomination: Denarius\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eMint: Rome\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eDate struck: 229 CE\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eReference: RIC IV Severus Alexander 92\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eWeight: 2.0 g\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eDiameter: 18 mm\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eDie axis: \u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eCondition: Fine (F)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWear it as a pendant\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis coin can be paired with our \u003ca href=\"\/products\/handmade-925-silver-chain-with-bail\"\u003ehandmade 925 silver chain with bail\u003c\/a\u003e to wear it as a pendant. The bail is custom-fitted to the coin and fully reversible — the original artifact remains untouched. Add the chain to your order alongside this piece, or leave it in its original form.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eProvenance\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFrom a long-standing private European collection, acquired prior to current trade regulations. Each piece is independently evaluated, identified, and documented by Aurora Antiqua before listing. A certificate of authenticity is included.\u003c\/p\u003e\n","brand":"Aurora Antiqua","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":61808129704266,"sku":"C-022-S","price":130.0,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0897\/7140\/9738\/files\/C-022-S-01-obverse-1.jpg?v=1778504483"}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0897\/7140\/9738\/collections\/C-020-S-01-obverse-1.jpg?v=1779098889","url":"https:\/\/auroraantiqua.store\/collections\/severus-alexander-coins.oembed","provider":"Aurora Antiqua","version":"1.0","type":"link"}