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

Severus Alexander, denarius, silver, reign 222–235, minted 231–235, weight 3.15 g, diameter 18 mm. Obverse: laureate bust right; legend IMP ALEXANDER PIVS AVG. Reverse: Providentia standing facing, head left, holding corn-ears in right hand and anchor in left, modius on ground; legend PROVIDENTIA AVG. Strike: hand-hammered at the Rome mint, die axis about 6 h, complete legends and devices. Toning: uniform light silver-grey with darker recesses. References: RIC IV 252a; Cohen 546; BMC 815; RSC Severus Alexander 546. Severus Alexander governed during the final years of the Severan dynasty, confronting Sasanian advances in the East and instability along the northern frontiers. The Providentia type underscores official claims of foresight in provisioning the army and the capital, symbolized by the anchor for security and the corn-ears and modius for grain supply. Struck at Rome between 231 and 235, the issue illustrates the continued but gradually declining silver standard of the denarius before the monetary disruptions that followed his death and the rise of the soldier-emperors.