Ex Wetterstrom and Ruder Collections

Triton XXI, Lot: 206. Estimate $2000. Sold for $1200. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

EGYPT, Alexandria. Severus Alexander. AD 222-235. Æ Drachm (34mm, 24.46 g, 12h). Dated RY 10 (AD 230/231). A KAI MAP AVP CЄV AΛЄΞAN∆POC, laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust right / Eagle standing right, head left with wreath in beak, wings closed; L I (date) before, palm frond behind. Köln 2453; Dattari (Savio) 4444 & 10011; K&G 62.127; Emmett 3158.10 (R4 – citing Milne 3046); Staffieri, Alexandria In Nummis 208 (this coin). VF, reddish brown patina with traces of green, some minor roughness. Extremely rare.

From the Giovanni Maria Staffieri Collection. Ex Kerry K. Wetterstrom Collection (Classical Numismatic Auctions XIII, 4 December 1990), lot 145; Lucius S. Ruder Collection (Coin Galleries, 19 August 1987), lot 396 (part of).

The palm frond on Severus Alexander’s regnal year 10 coinage alludes to the decennalia ludi, public games celebrating the completion of a ten-year reign. He would continue to use the palm frond on his coinage through his year 14 coinage.