Obverse:
IMP ALEXAN_DER
PIVS AVGBust laureate right, slightly draped on left shoulder
Reverse: PROFECTIO AVGVSTI, SC in
exergueSeverus Alexander laureate, in
military dress, on horseback right, holding
transverse spear in right hand, preceded by
Victory holding
wreath up in right hand
BMC 775,
RIC 640
Weight, 16.77g;
die axis, 12h.
The Senate awarded the honorific Pius to
Alexander in the late half of 231 CE because of
his reverence of the gods of
Rome and tolerance of all religious beliefs. Thus, coins minted in the year 231 CE can be found with
obverse legends:
IMP SEV ALEXANDER AVG or
IMP ALEXANDER PIVS AVG. For the former see
https://www.forumancientcoins.com/gallery/displayimage.php?pos=-39796In 231 CE,
Severus Alexander left
Rome and gathered several legions to deal with the Persian incursions in the Eastern provinces. The
reverse optimistically proclaims
Alexander’s ultimate
victory over the Persians. Unfortunately, the results nearly ended in disaster and
Alexander was only able to negotiate
peace with the Sassanid emperor Ardashir I because internal rebellion within the
Sassanian empire required Ardashir’s immediate attention.
