Featured Coin
This denarius once struck me as much more unusual than it does today. It is the product of a branch mint usually assigned to Antioch in Syria. The Severan dynasty had extensive ties to the East and all of the emperors issued some Latin language denarii from Syrian mints. Latin, however, was not used in the region and mint workers occasionally had trouble with the language. The reverse of this coin shows a standing figure of Liberalitas or Generosity. This type was usually issued when there was a public distribution of cash. The very young portrait on this coin suggests this might have been issued when Alexander was proclaimed emperor. The reverse legend reads LIBERTAS (Freedom) AVG. These two Latin words would be easily confused by a Greek speaking mint worker.
This coin has another interesting feature. The obverse legend reads: IMPCMAVR SEVALEXAND notably lacking the standard AVG for Augustus. Coins issues for Severus Alexander as Caesar under Elagabalus exist but the legend ends in CAES. Is this a rare variety of Caesar coinage? No, unfortunately. This coin is an example of failure to plan ahead. The name and titles were engraved in the die so there was no room for the AVG at the end. A half hearted attempt was made to squeeze in the AVG under the bust (traces of the A and V remain). Rather than a rare coin from the time before Alexander was made Augustus this must be regarded as a semi barbaric product of a Syrian mint with some question as to whether it is an official issue. From the style, I tend to accept this coin as a bad day at the official mint but would appreciate hearing opinions on the matter from specialists in this series.
© 1997 Doug Smith