Severus Alexander Denarius Ancient Roman Empire Silver Coin 231AD RIC 246c

Obverse: IMP ALEXANDER PIVS AVG, Bust of Severus Alexander, laureate, draped, right
Reverse: MARS VLTOR, Mars, helmeted, walking right, holding spear in right hand and shield in left hand
Date: c. 231-235 A.D.
ID: RIC IV Severus Alexander 246c
Size: 20mm diameter, 2.69g weight
Composition: Silver

Mars was the Roman god of war. The reverse inscription, MARS VLTOR, translates to "Mars the Avenger."

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.