Severus Alexander Silver Denarius 228AD Annona Reverse

Emperor Severus Alexander (r. 222-235 A.D.) Silver AR Denarius

Obverse: IMP SEV ALEXAND AVG, Head of Severus Alexander, laureate, right

Reverse: ANNONA AVG, Annona, draped, standing left, holding two corn-ears in right hand and cornucopiae in left hand; right foot on prow

Date: c. 228-231 A.D., RIC 187

Size: 18.5mm diameter, 2.76g weight

Composition: Silver

The reverse of this coin features Annona, Roman goddess/personification of the grain supply to the city of Rome. The Roman government imported grain (primarily wheat, but also corn) from its territories in Egypt, North Africa and Sicily, and provided it to the citizens of Rome at subsidized prices or - for a lucky ~200k low-income citizens - for free. Annona is here depicted steering a rudder (hundreds or even thousands of ships were required to import the grain across the Mediterranean) and holding a modius, a Roman vessel/unit of measure used for grain.