Sale: Nomos 1, Lot: 157. Estimate CHF1500.  Closing Date: Tuesday, 5 May 2009.  Sold For CHF1400. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

Severus Alexander. 222-235. Sestertius (Orichalcum, 20.47 g 12), Rome, 232. IMP ALEXANDER PIVS AVG Laureate head of Severus Alexander to right, drapery on far shoulder Rev. PROVIDENTIA AVG / S C Providentia standing to left, holding grain ears over modius in her right hand and cornucopiae in her left. BMC 881. Cohen 503. RIC 642. Sharply struck and with a lovely pale green patina. Extremely fine.

From the collection of a Gentleman.

Severus Alexander’s mother was the niece of Julia Domna and in 222, with the murder of his cousin, the odious Elagabalus, he became, at around thirteen, the youngest emperor in Roman history. He was an intelligent and decent person but he was first dominated by his grandmother, Julia Maesa, Domna’s sister, and then, for the rest of his life, by his powerful mother Julia Mamaea; this ultimately led to his murder by angry soldiers in 235 since he had no military experience.