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RIC 500cf of Severus Alexander

Severus Alexander Æ Sestertius. 230 AD. IMP ALEXANDER PIVS AVG, laureate bust right / P M TR P VIIII COS III P P S-C, Sol standing left, holding whip.

Lot No.3503. VF and a rare legend variant. 30mm, 16.3g.

$ 225.

Obverse legend unlisted in RIC for this reverse; the usual RIC 500 is IMP SEV ALEXAND AVG. IMP ALEXANDER PIVS AVG listings only begin with TR P X, the following year.

Severus Alexander was a serious minded emperor who was quite a relief for the empire after his cousin, Elagabalus, was removed in 222 AD. He served very respectably until 235 AD under the tutelege of his grandmother Julia Mamaea, until he was overthrown and killed by the forces of Maximinus Thrax.