Severus Alexander, silver, Rome mint, struck 231 CE during his reign 222-235.

Denarius of Severus Alexander, silver, Rome mint, struck 231 CE during his reign 222-235. Weight c. 3.12 g; diameter 19 mm. Obverse legend IMP ALEXANDER PIVS AVG shows a laureate, draped and cuirassed bust of the emperor facing right, sharply struck in high relief; fields smooth with minimal die wear. Reverse legend IOVI PROPVGNATORI depicts Jupiter standing front, head right, nude except for a billowing cloak, brandishing a thunderbolt; figure well centered with full inscription. Fabric is fine-grained, typical hammer strike on small flan; surfaces display light silver-grey toning with scattered traces of original mint lustre. References: RIC IV 235; RSC 90; BMC 857.

The IOVI PROPVGNATORI type reflects Severus Alexander's attempts to emphasize divine protection during campaigns against the Sassanid Persians and increasing Germanic pressure on the Rhine. By evoking Jupiter the defender, the coinage sought to reassure the army and populace of imperial strength. The reduced silver weight also illustrates continuing debasement preceding the monetary crises of the third century.