Sestertius (Coin) Portraying Emperor Severus Alexander

Art Historical Context

This bronze sestertius, struck during the reign of Emperor Severus Alexanderr. 222–235 CE), offers a glimpse into the grandeur of late Roman imperial portraiture. Measuring just 3 cm in diameter, this from the Art Institute of Chicago's Arts of Greece, Rome, Byzantium collection captures the youthful emperor on the obverse, likely laureate and togate, embodying the idealized ruler. Minted around 231–235 CE, it reflects the final years of the Severan, a turbulent era bridging the Pax Romana and the Crisis of the Third Century. As a large-denomination bronze coin, the sestertius was a workhorse...

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...