[under construction] Imitations of Severus Alexander are very common. I have not yet found time to add many to this page.
Severus Alexander (AD 222-235)
19-18 mm. 12:00
The style looks official, but the design is quite weak and the silver
break (at the backof the head) does not show a distinct silver "foil,"
but the silver
is rather thick.
IMP C M AVR SEV ALEXAND AVG, laureate, draped, head right
/PM TRP VI COS II PP, Aequitas holding blanance and
cornucopiae.
This is an official type of AD 227 (RIC 64, page 75). I wonder if this
imitation was cast in base metal from a genuine piece and somehow
surface silvered afterwards?
I need to study it, and the many others like it, more.
18mm. 12:00. 2.29 grams.
A remarkably sharp strike.
This coin shows no sign of silver, but is struck, not cast.
I don't understand it. Without silver, how could it be deceptive? Why
is the workmanship so good?
Tis is the sharpest AE imitation I have seen of the period.
IMP C M AVR SEV ALEXAND AVG, laureate, darped, cuir. bust right
/PM TRP VII COS II PP, Mars standing right with
reversed spear and shield
Prototype: RIC 74, p. 76, AD 228.
19 mm. 12:30. 2.72 grams
Black, of official style. Is this a cast?
IMP SEV ALEXAND AVG
/PR TRP VIII COS III PP, Sol standing slightly
right,
head left, raising right and holding globe in left.
Sear 2128/9. RIC 102, page 78 of AD 230.
BMC 630, page 177, plate 22.630 (3.29 grams) AD 230.
Glossy dark imitation. Possibly cast, although the edges do not show
any signs of it. The lettering, though, is not crisp.
AE18. 6:00. 2.47 grams.
IMP C M AVR SEV-ALEXAND AVG
/PM TRP VII COS II PP, Romulus or Mars (or emperor)
advancing right with spear in right hand and trophy over left shoulder.
Prototype here: AR20. 6:30. RIC 82 "later part of 228". Sear
2227. BMC 507, issue 9, late 228.

AE18. 12:00. 3.04 grams.
Official style for the "Eastern mint", but with a spelling error.
IMP SEV ALEXAND AVG, laureate, draped, cuirassed bust right, seen
slightly from the rear
/PTMRP COS [sic -- "PTM"
instead of the correct "PMT"]
Mars standing left, holding branch and spear.
Prototype Sear 2.7980. BMC 1007, plate 32 with PMT, struck AD 222
"Eastern mint, issue 1."
Julia
Mamaea
Mother of Severus Alexander, with coins issued
from the beginning of his reign to at least 233.
18-19mm. 5:30
A high grade and well struck fourrée. The reverse type is not a
type that belongs with a female obverse, and that type was, of course,
not issued by Mamaea.
IVLIA MA-MAEA AVG, diademed, draped bust right
/VIRTVS AVG, Virtus standing left, holding globe
(should this be Victory on globe) and reversed spear.
19mm. 7:30. 2.77
grams.
AR20. 6:00. 2.90 grams
Fourrée of very good style. The obverse is quite well done, but
less care was expended on the reverse.
Official coins almost always have a die axis near 6:00 or 12:00. One at
7:30 would strongly suggest an imitation, even if the
silver-over-copper
were not so clear.
IVLIA MAMAEA AVG
/IVNO CONSERVATRIX, Juno standing left, holding
patera and sceptre, peacock at feet.
Sear 2310. RIC 343, page 98, plate V.4, struck "later 222" at
Rome.
Continue with the page on imitations of Maximinus (235-238)
Return to the page on Severan imitations.
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