Severus Alexander Sestertius: Is There A Story In The Legend?

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Author	Replies: 6 / Views: 858
circusmax120 Valued Member United States 319 Posts	Posted 02/16/2022 2:02 pm Incredibly strong portrait of Severus Alexander on this thick, weighty sestertius. Much of the exquisite details remain, including his youthful beard. A tribute to the skillful hands of the ancient die cutter. Besides the impressive portrait, I was intrigued by the reverse: Providentia holding a cornucopia and ears of grain over a modius (a jar used in Roman times as a unit of dry measure). The details are still sharp, but it's the evidence of a second strike that made my mind spin with a vision of the moments of the coin's creation. Did the necessity of a second hammer-blow cause pieces of the legend to break off of the rapidly cooling coin? Ohhh, my overactive imagination! Edited by circusmax120 02/16/2022 2:17 pm Report this Post to the Staff

Lucky Cuss Pillar of the Community United States 4883 Posts	Posted 02/16/2022 3:13 pm The obverse effigy is outstandingly lifelike. Colligo ergo sum Report this Post to the Staff
circusmax120 Valued Member United States 319 Posts	Posted 02/16/2022 3:43 pm I totally agree, Lucky. Alexander ruled for thirteen years, so his coins are plentiful. His portraits are, in my opinion, the most consistent in terms of quality, and this particular specimen is quite realistic and appealing. His youthfulness is captured well by the talented ancient die cutter. It was the reverse, however, that inspired me to acquire it. I simply could not resist the particular imperfections. Suggesting to me a lost "birth" story. I was fascinated! Report this Post to the Staff
Palouche Pillar of the Community Spain 2752 Posts	Posted 02/16/2022 5:43 pm Yes I think this is why so many of us collect ancient coins..Flans produced individually, struck individually by an individual at an individual time...Maybe he was having a bad day and decided to give it an extra 'thwaak' in frustration? Great looking coin! Report this Post to the Staff
Victor Pillar of the Community United States 905 Posts	Posted 02/16/2022 6:22 pm The slight doubling occurred accidentally, when the hammer bounced a bit, making a double strike...this happened occasionally. Report this Post to the Staff
Novicius Pillar of the Community United Kingdom 1168 Posts	Posted 02/16/2022 6:55 pm Another superb portrait. Severus Alexander comes over to me as a very confidant young man, perhaps deep in thought. The reverse is nicely detailed too. Paul (Palouche) raised some interesting points. I would imagine that we all appreciate the skill of the die maker, who in cutting the dies enabled the creation of these small windows in history. I doubt if many of us give much thought to the men with the tongs and heavy hammers, who toiled in the heat to produce the coins. They will have had their problems and frustrations on a daily basis, just as we have today. Report this Post to the Staff
circusmax120 Valued Member United States 319 Posts	Posted 02/16/2022 10:06 pm All excellent points. Paul is exactly right. The individuality of each coin is a large part of what inspires us to collect these coins. These little pieces of history embody so much more than their intended purpose. They can stir the imagination. I can almost see the shuddering hammer strike that Victor describes! I agree, Novicius. Seldom a thought is given to the ancient artisans that toiled to create the specimens that so fascinate us. Which is the reason I felt compelled to do these posts, focusing on the portraiture. Recognizing the art. These men may be nameless...faceless to us...but they do nevertheless deserve our respect. Report this Post to the Staff
	Replies: 6 / Views: 858

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