Severus Alexander “victoria Avg” Denarius — Certificate Of Authenticity

Silver denarius of Rome, combining a finely engraved portrait of Severus Alexander with a Victory reverse under the legend VICTORIA AVG: a classic, highly appreciated type for a Severan collection, securely framed by the standard corpora RIC / BMC / Cohen.

The coin presents a light grey silver with a still lively sheen, showing a subtle cabinet satin across the fields and clear high-point highlights on the edges of relief (laurel leaves, profile, drapery, Victory’s wings and folds).

The flan is well preserved yet retains its expected ancient “character”: slight edge waviness, small marginal weaknesses and a few pinpoint edge nicks, consistent with hammer striking on a denarius module. The beaded border is visible over a broad portion of both sides, locally softened near the rim. The fields show fine contact marks and a few light linear micro-striations consistent with old circulation, without any artificial uniformity; the types remain crisp and immediately attributable.

The design matches the expected type: laureate head right, with a light shoulder drapery clearly perceptible (a desirable variety detail), and a well-structured facial model (eye, brow, nasal bridge, mouth). The hair reads in short locks, and the laurel wreath remains legible in segments, with leaves and tie distinguishable.

The legend IMP SEV ALEXAND AVG follows with generally satisfactory continuity around the circumference; a few letters weaken near minor flan irregularities, without affecting the identification of the titulature.

Reverse VICTORIA AVG: Victory standing facing, head left, holding a wreath in the right hand and a palm in the left. The attributes are clearly recognizable: the circular wreath, the palm stem and foliage, and a stable figure set upon a visible ground line. The wings remain readable in their main masses, and the drapery folds are still apparent, even where the highest points show mild softening.

The legend VICTORIA AVG encircles the scene; the letterforms remain regular and characteristically “Roman,” with minor peripheral weakness typical of this module.

Authority: Severus Alexander (222–235)
Denomination: Denarius (AR)
Mint: Rome
Date: series placed in the corpora around 228–231, frequently attributed to 231 within the emission sequence

Obverse: IMP SEV ALEXAND AVG — laureate head right, light shoulder drapery
Reverse: VICTORIA AVG — Victory standing facing, head left, holding wreath and palm

References: RIC IV 212 ; BMC 702 ; Cohen 556
Metrology: 19 mm ; 2.92 g

Under Severus Alexander, the imperial coinage frequently employs easily readable imagery to project authority and order. Victory, with wreath (reward, success) and palm (triumph), belongs to this official visual language: it conveys consolidated legitimacy and continuity of power in a 3rd century where political stability becomes an increasingly central message.

For a collector, this denarius offers a particularly attractive combination:

• an expressive, well-formed portrait, enhanced by the shoulder drapery that adds typological interest;

• a VICTORIA AVG reverse with immediate readability—both classic and emblematic within a Severan tray;

• an attribution firmly anchored in the principal corpora (RIC / BMC / Cohen), facilitating comparison, classification, and integration into a coherent series.

In accordance with our practices, each piece is examined, described, and supplied with a certificate of authenticity consistent with the standards of the art and heritage market. The study is conducted with careful ×10 loupe and raking-light observation, including checks of typological, stylistic, epigraphic, and metrological coherence against the reference corpora (RIC / BMC / Cohen) and available comparanda.

The coin is offered with professional European provenance, acquired through a specialized international transaction within a recognized numismatic network, following control practices commonly accepted in the field.

Shipping is fully tracked, signature-required and insured, with protective packaging appropriate for ancient silver coins (individual protection, shock-resistant cushioning, discreet outer packing), ensuring controlled transport of a patrimonial object.