Sestertius (Coin) Portraying Emperor Severus Alexander
222-231
Medium
Bronze
Dimensions
Diam.: 2.9 cm (1 3/16 in.)
Classification
coin
Department
Arts of Greece, Rome, and Byzantium
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
141727
Art Historical Context
Step into the world of ancient Rome with this bronze sestertius coin, struck during the reign of Emperor Severus Alexanderr. 222–235 CE). Measuring just 2.9 cm in diameter, this unassuming artifact from the Art Institute of Chicago Arts of Greece, Rome and Byzantium collection captures the youthful emperor's portrait on the obverse, likely adorned with a laurel wreath symbolizing victory and divine favor. The reverse would typically feature imperial symbols like gods, victories, or state motifs, affirming his authority amid the empire's growing instability. As a sestertius—a mid-value bronze ...
About the Artist
Ancient Roman
The artists attributed to "Ancient Roman" in museum collections represent the anonymous craftsmen who produced the vast output of sculpture, frescoes, mosaics, and reliefs defining Roman visual culture from the Republic (c. 509–27 BCE) to the late Empire (c. 395 CE). Individual identities remain elusive, as Roman makers were typically viewed as skilled tradesmen—often enslaved Greeks or provincial...