Severus Alexander Denarius Ancient Roman Empire Silver Coin 223AD RIC 23

Obverse: IMP C M AVR SEV ALEXAND AVG, Bust of Severus Alexander, laureate, draped, right
Reverse: P M TR P II COS P P, Mars, helmeted, in military attire standing left, holding olive-branch in right hand and spear reversed in left hand
Date: 223 A.D.
ID: RIC IV Severus Alexander 23
Size: 19mm diameter, 2.68g weight
Composition: Silver

Severus Alexander was proclaimed emperor at age 13, immediately following the assassination of Emperor Elagabalus, his cousin. The early years of his reign were marked by prosperity, and the young emperor instituted a number of positive social and economic reforms. Despite his young age, the emperor displayed wisdom and temperance in his policies, a welcome contrast to the wild debaucheries of his predecessor. 

But the rise of the powerful Sassanid Empire in Persia, and more devastating raids from Germanic tribes forced Severus Alexander out of his comfort zone, into the military realm. With no military experience and little natural talent for leading a campaign, the emperor quickly gained the contempt of many of his troops. His tendency to rely on his mother for advice, and his attempt to bribe the Germanic tribes to avoid battle were seen as weak by his armies, and he was murdered by his own soldiers at the age of 26. This would trigger the Crisis of the 3rd Century, a 50-year period of near constant civil war in which 26 different emperors briefly held the throne.