Severus Alexander, denarius, silver, reign 222-235, minted 231

Severus Alexander, denarius, silver, reign 222-235, minted 231, 3.20 g, 18 mm. Obverse: laureate, draped, cuirassed bust right; legend IMP ALEXANDER PIVS AVG. Reverse: Sol radiate, nude except for cloak over left shoulder, standing left, raising right hand and holding globe in left; legend P M TR P X COS III P P. Strike: regular imperial issue, centered with full legends. Toning: light uniform grey with minor darker highlights in recesses. References: RIC IV 109d; RSC 505; BMCRE 487. Struck at Rome during Severus Alexander’s tenth tribunician year and third consulship, this denarius reflects the emperor’s promotion of traditional Roman deities amid rising external threats. The reverse image of Sol, symbol of cosmic order and victory, reinforced the ruler’s protective role over the empire. Denarii of this period were still near-standard silver content before the accelerated debasement later in the third century, making them an important monetary tool in civil and military payments across the provinces.