Ave!

Severus Alexander, Denarius, Mars reverse, Important!

AR; 19mm/2.8gm     Rome Mint, after March 222 AD.*

Con/ Typical minor surface porosity for the type, otherwise, Very Fine

Obv/ IMP C M AVR SEV ALEXAND AVG; laureate, draped bust right

Rev/ P M TR P COS II PP; Mars, in military garb, standing left, holding branch and reversed spear; star in left field

Ref/ RIC Vol IVb, 7

Seller's Note/ * Of historical importance, this issue was struck just a few months after Elagabalus, at the age of 18, and his mother Julia Soaemias, were assassinated by the Praetorian Guard in March, 222 AD. The image of Mars on the reverse, holding a branch and reversed spear, alludes to the return of tranquility to the Empire after the death of the loony Elagabalus.