Lot 4145

Description

Severus Alexander, (A.D. 222-235), AE dupondius, Rome mint, issued A.D. 228, (9.944 grams), obv. radiate head of Severus Alexander to right, around IMP SEV ALE XANDER AVG, rev. around RESTITVTOR MON, S C across field, Alexander in military attire standing to left, his right hand extended resting on spear in left hand, (S.8052 [£40 F], RIC 601, C.517). Dark brown patina, squarish flan, very fine and scarce.

Sear notes (p.660). The fact that the commemoration of Alexander's 'restoration' of the coinage is confined to the dupondius would seem to suggest a connection with this denomination, though the precise nature of such a reform is certainly not immediately apparent. A refurbishment of the mint itself is an alternative possibility, though curiously not recorded on other denominations. In this sense the emperor's statue on the reverse may allude to a statue erected at the facility in honour of the emperor. This issue of Alexander's bearing the inscription 'RESTITUTOR MON' (Restitutor Monetae -- the restoration of the coinage, or possibly the restoration of the mint) may also refer to the discontinuance of the antoninianus, which did indeed restore the integrity of the monetary system. An interesting coinage issue.