Triton XXI, Lot: 207. Estimate $2000. Sold for $1200. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

EGYPT, Alexandria. Severus Alexander. AD 222-235. Æ Drachm (33mm, 16.95 g, 12h). Dated RY 10 (AD 230/231). A KAI MAP AVP CЄV AΛЄΞAN∆POC, laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust right / Draped bust of Ammon right, wearing solar disk; L I (date) behind, palm frond before. Köln –; Dattari (Savio) 4443 (this coin); K&G 62.129; Emmett 3182.10 (R4 – citing Hunterian 699); Staffieri, Alexandria In Nummis 207 (this coin). Choice VF, attractive brown patina with touches of green and red. Extremely rare, with only three examples known. Emmett cites the Hunterian coin, and Dattari owned two specimens: this coin and no. 10010.

From the Giovanni Maria Staffieri Collection, purchased from Dr. Piero Beretta, Milan, May 1972. Ex Dr. Piero Beretta Collection (Milan); Giovanni Dattari Collection, no. 4443.

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.