Severus Alexander AE As ? or Sestertius..... Emperor standing holding globe

Hello, I have purchased this Bronze coin of Emperor Severus Alexander... it is either a very small Sestertius, or an average sized As, however in my researching the Internet, I could not find a Bronze As with the same reverse design and matching titles. Here is the coin, the photos of the obv and rev by themselves, are the largest and best detailed, much better than the photo of the front/back together in one.

This coin is around 24mm Diameter (much smaller than any sestertius I ever have encountered!) and weighs 9.4 grams.... around the weight an AE As would weigh.... the seller did not specify in the description.

I do not have the coin right now, so I cannot take any photos of it with some of my other Sev. Alexander Sesterces for comparison, I will as soon as possible. I hope for now the measurements will be enough for someone to give me a bit more of a concrete answer.
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Ancient Roman Empire
Emperor Severus Alexander (222 - 235 AD)
Bronze, Struck at the Rome Mint.

obv: IMP SEV ALEXANDER AUG - Laureate head right.
rev: PM TR P COS VIIII COS III PP - Emperor standing in Military Uniform, facing left, holding Globe and spear.
'S C' to either side of standing Emperor.

Weight: 9.4 Grams -
Size: 24 mm
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So my question is whether this is an AE As or a very small AE Sestertius? I do not know if anyone can tell me that one way or the other, however any opinions or insight, comments or criticism would all be greatly appreciated. Thank you all.
(*PS* Like I said, the best pics are the individual obverse and reverse ones, not the one that has both obv and rev in one pic.... that one is shrunk and lost some detail, the other two have the best detail.*)

 

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Interesting question Rex. I suppose when it arrives you can do a specific gravity calculation to see if its bronze or silver. I would think bronze from the color and the SC was only given by the Senate, because silver and gold was controlled by the emperor. Thus not needing an SC.

 

Van meter has the obverse as number 7 minted from 228 - 231. COS III tells us its 229 AD. Perhaps the reverse is Sol holding globe ??? Hope it helps.

 

Oh well it is certainly Bronze... and on the reverse it says P M TR P VIII COS III PP.
Also the reverse is the Emperor standing in Military uniform, holding globe and spear.... it is definitely bronze, and I just do not know which denomination, it has to be an AE As or an AE Sestertius due to the Laureate bust, since an AE Dupondius would have a radiate bust ( Good Lord, I just LOVE the 'Radiate bust' Dupondius coins of Severus Alexander, but they are very rare and expensive, look them up!)
I know that with Severus Alexander, his Sesterces are not uncommon, even in higher grade, however when it comes to the smaller denomination bronzes, like the As and especially the Dupondius, the rarity as well as the prices go waay up.

I just love the portrait on this coin, it is gorgeous! I am quite impressed with the detail, the reverse is also very nice, with great clear legends, and a nice portrayal of the Emperor in Military Uniform standing and holding the Globe and spear. It looks almost as if his one foot is higher than the other, as if standing on something.....

 

Hi Rex,

Beautiful coin!!

The emperor is standing on a helmet as seen in the link below. Also, I would agree that the denomination is an AS.

Cheers,

-Kurt

http://coinproject.com/coin_detail.php?coin=290552

 

Only has one COS: PM TR P VIIII COS III PP. I think it's an AS and found similar ones. I really like the look of yours!



Obverse: IMPSEVALE_XANDERAVG
Bust laureate right, left shoulder slightly draped
Reverse: PMTRPVIIII_COSIIIPP, SC left and right in field
Severus Alexander, laureate, in military dress, cloak behind back, standing left, right foot on helmet, globe in extended right hand and vertical spear reversed in left.
BM 617-9, pl. 21. , RIC 508

http://www.forumancientcoins.com/gallery/displayimage.php?pos=-43279



Picture is wrong but heres what WW has

http://wildwinds.com/coins/sear5/s8084.html



and one more
http://www.vcoins.com/lac/store/viewItem.asp?idProduct=254

 

Too clothed for Sol, and not radiate

 

Yes, that is correct.

 

Thanks

Thanks sooo much for the info and link Kurt, Biancasdad ! Very Helpful my friend.

Randy, ah yes, I added an extra "COS" in my first description, by mistake. Thanks for the links mate.

Great Severus Alexander Bronze coin of yours, always admired it since you got it.

Ripley Thank you for the input my friend, several other Emperors, such as Gordian III, have a very similar reverse with 'Emperor standing holding globe' on their coins, so we are able to recognize this one. Also those of Sol, usually depict Sol as being Nude, and as Randy said he wears a Radiate crown.

After looking at the price for the Sev Alexander AE As on Vcoins, it seems I got quite a good deal on this coin, I also really dig the patina! That and the detail on the Emperor's bust and Laureate crown, as well as his depiction on the reverse, you can see some ofthe leather strips of his uniform that cover the upper arm, as well as the 'kilt/skirt' type 'pants' worn, and the titles are pretty good on both sides in my opinion.

Thanks for all your help everyone, Feel free to post any pics of any of your Severus Alexander coins here (Silver, Bronze, Gold, whatever..... POST IT!)
Thanks again,

 

Heres my most recent one.

 

Severus Alexander

Nice one, I like the reverse alot, I have no denarii of him with that obv except an AE/Billon Denarius... a whatever-you-call-it. I have some other denarii of him, one of MARTI PACIFERO from an Eastern mint, which I really like the obv portrait of. and this Jupiter Denarius too. Mostly I have Sesteces of Severus Alexander.... I love them big bronzes, I have some nice ones of his Ma too. Very cool coins to collect, all of his, I want a 'seated Jupiter' IOVI ULTORI' denarius of him... and would LOVE a Radiate Dupondius of his, but those are super rare, Im Lucky to have the one AE As of his among my Sesterces.

 

While gathering SA bronzes, don't forget the Provincials. This is an AE33 of Antioch in Pisidia.


My lightest SA sestertius is 19g. Judging only from my coins, the sestertii stayed pretty good size until late in the reign of Philip. I do have one rather light Decius but even it is over 11g so I'd not hesitate to call anything under 10g an as. Later asses were mostly presentation specials like New Year's donatives, I believe, making me wonder if they may have traded above face (like Maundy money???). I wonder what an as would buy in 235 AD? Not much?

 

Thanks doug I don't think I have ANY provincials, unless you count coins like Drachmai and Didrachmai of Caesarea, Cappadocia, or Tetradrachmai of various places..... I have seen some true provincials that had amazing designs that I loved, but all were too pricey, that is a great example you have there. Interesting question about what exactly an As would buy you in AD 235.... and interesting theory about the Ases being more of presentation coinage than spendin' money. Smart man. Thanks again.

And yes, after recieving this coin and checking it out, comparing it with my SA sesterces and Ases and Dupondii of other Emperors and Empresses, I am certain it is an AE As. Thanks for the info on size and weight changes dougsmit and thanks to everyone else for their input.

 

Nice pickup . I really have to get some more ancients .

 

Beautiful sestertii :thumb:

 

Imperial Bronzes

Thanks fella! I quite like my small collection of Roman Imperial Sesterces. Seems all my bronzes of that particular denomination are of Severus Alexander and Julia Mamaea. As far as other bronzes, I have a Dupondius of Emperor Trajan with the Emperor riding on horseback and spearing a Dacian, I really like that one, also a Dupondius of Emperor Antoninus Pius with a great portrait and patina, also a lower grade AE As of Empress Faustina I, and don't forget the AE As in my first post in this thread, I do like that As of Emperor Severus Alexander the most of all my AE Ases, great bust. My fave of them all is probably the 'MARS ULTOR' Sestertius of Severus Alexander, or maybe my 'VENUS VICTRIX' Sestertius of Julia Mamaea (not pictured).... but I do like the Certified 'ROMAE AETERNAE' Sestertius of Severus Alexander as well as the 'Emperor Standing in Military Uniform holding globe and spear' AE As, both have the same obv bust style which looks nice on them. I am a fan of them all