183-185

Bronze sestertius of Alexander Severus

Αρχαιολογικά χρονικά

• Παπαδάκης, Νίκος Π.

During excavations undertaken by the 2nd Ephorate of Antiquities in the Rouf area, near Kerameikos, seven bronze coins were found. In this publication, however, only one of these will be discussed : a Roman Sestertius of the age of Emperor Alexander Severus (A. D. 222 - 235 ).The obverse of the coin presents the Emperor’s head crowned with laurel, and the legend : [I]MP SEVALE - XAND[ER AUG.] The reverse carries the image of the naked Sun God holding a whip, and the legend : [PM TR P] VIIII COS [III PP], with the letters S. C. in the ground on either side of the god (fig. 1 ). It was from the reverse inscription that the exact date of this coin was determined. The indication COS III implies that this coin is of the time of the third consulship of Alexander Severus. The Tribunicia Potestas ( TR P ) was a yearly title initially received by the emperor Alexander Severus in A.D. 222. One may deduce from the inscription TR P VIIII that he held the title for nine years. Therefore, by adding nine years to the date the title was first received by Severus (A.D. 222 ), we come to A.D. 230 as the date of this coin.

• History and Archaeology

• Αρχαιολογία
• Νομισματική

Αθήνα

Περιέχει εικόνες