Sestertius (Coin) Portraying Emperor Severus Alexander
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
141740
Art Historical Context
Behold this gleaming bronze sestertius from ancient Rome, struck in 231 CE during the reign of Emperor Severus Alexander, the youthful ruler who ascended the throne at just 13 and led the empire amid turbulent times. Measuring a modest 2.9 cm in diameter, this coin captures the emperor's idealized portrait on the obverse—likely laureate and togate—serving as a powerful tool of imperial propaganda. Distributed across the vast Roman world, such coins reinforced Alexander's authority, divinity, and military prowess to soldiers, merchants, and citizens alike. Crafted through intricate die-stampin...
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...