No.21.  Rhesaena. Severus Alexander.  Æ 24. A.D. 222-235.  

Obv:  ALESAND POCC ( E…  ) A CEB . Laureate bust left.  
Rev:  ( PHCAINHCI  ) WNLEGIIIG . Turreted Tyche sitting on a rock holding 
corn-ears, river-god at her feet.  

Ref: BMC -. 
Grade: VF/F, casting pit on obv., minor pitting on rev. Red-brown patina with green touches on rev.  

Die Axis:  360°.  Weight:  9.72 g. 

The city of Rhesaena, a Roman colony from the time of Septimus Severus, 
was settled by veterans of the Legio Tertia Gallica or the third legion of 
Gaul, also known as Pia, hence the reverse legend LEG.III.G. As far as an 
exact dating of this coin is concerned one should consider that minting in 
the region was normally expacially abundant during periods of military 
activity when large amounts of soldiers passed by.  In spite of the city’s 
status a colony and contrary to common practice, the obverse legend of this 
particular coin, as well as those of all other coins from the city, is in 
Greek. To make the coin even more unusual the reverse legend starts out in 
Greek, but changes to Latin towards the end. 

Contributed by Henrik Agndal, May, 2003.