Severus Alexander, 222-235 AD, AE Sestertius, Providentia, struck 232 AD
Severus Alexander
Rome mint
AE Sestertius
Struck 232 AD, Issue 15
IMP ALEXANDER PIVS AVG, Bust of Severus Alexander, bearded, laureate, slight drapery on left shoulder, facing right
PROVIDE-NTIA AVG, Providentia draped, standing front, head turned left, holding in right hand corn ears over modius filled with corn-ears and, in left, cornucopiae; S C, left and right, very low in field
30.48mm, 19.9g, 2h
Choice gVF, well centred, attractive dark-green patina
Ex Classical Numismatic Group eAuction 410 (29 November 2017), Lot 1082 (part of)
BMCRE VI 882 var. (reverse legend unbroken); RIC IV 642b; Cohen IV 503 var. (laureate bust right); Banti 147; SRCV II 8014

List of references used by Ancient Coin Traders

Severus Alexander was Roman Emperor from 222 to 235 AD. He was the last emperor of the Severan dynasty. His death marked the beginning of the Crisis of the Third Century, during which the Roman Empire would almost crumble. He was assassinated in 235 AD by mutinous soldiers paving the way for Maximus to become Roman Emperor. This coin was issued late into his reign by which stage he had developed a fully grown beard. Derived from the word 'providere' (to foresee), Providentia is the divine personification of foresight and making provision. Its use on coinage was to show that the emperor could foresee the needs of his empire and provide for his people.