Severus Alexander. AD 222-235. AV Aureus (19mm, 5.62 g, 7h). Rome mint. 11th emission, early-mid AD 230. IMP SEV ALE-XAND AVG, laureate bust right / P M TR P VIIII CO-S III P P, Romulus advancing right, holding trophy with left hand and transverse spear with right hand. RIC IV 103; Calicó 3121 (same dies as illustration); BMCRE 620. Superb EF.
Severus Alexander as Romulus can be seen to have both past and future iconographical significance at the time when it was utilized. Since he was required to conduct campaigns against both the Sassanians and Germanic tribes for the well-being of the empire, a likening to Romulus is obvious. As the 1,000th anniversary of the founding of the city lay only 17 years away, however, a similar reference to Rome’s legendary founder also seems appropriate.
