Roman Empire β silver denarius of emperor Severus
Alexander AD . RomeDenar AR20 mm, 3.47 g.IMP C M AVR SEV ALEXAND AVG, laureled and draped bust to the right / VIRT-VS AVG, Virtus to the right, with helmet, spear and shield.Extremely Fine. BMC 278; Cohen 576; RIC 182.Severus Alexander was the beloved cousin of Elagabalus and was exalted to Caesar when he was still emperor. His popularity grew steadily and Elagabalus began to see him as a threat. Elagabalus tried to kill him, but the army chose the side of Severus Alexander and Elagabalus was assassinated. Thirteen years of relative peace followed. It was the first time since Marcus Aurelius that an emperor was sopopular, both for his love of art and the prosperity he brought. His only, and later fatal, flaw was his adoration of his mother Julia Mamaea. Her involvement in state affairs was a growing source of aggravation for the military and the Senate, and ultimately led to both of them being killed. Read More