TYPE Roman Empire, Julia Maesa, grandmother of Elagabalus (218-22 AD) and Sev. Alexander, silver denarius DESCRIPTION . Obv: Draped bust of Maesa to right; Latin legend: IVLIA MAESA AVG Rev: Felicitas, holding patera and caduceus, altar at feet, legend SEACVLI FELICITAS, star in field REFERENCE: SR 2184, RIC 271, RSC 45 GRADING: VF+ / VF, porous, scarce ORDER INFO: R1650, $55 The powerful matriarch of the Severan dynasty, Julia Maesa was the sister-in-law of its originator, Septimius Severus. She largely engineered the dynasty's comeback following the removal of Caracalla, later survived the assassination of her unpopular grandson and daughter, and finally peacefully died during the reign of her other grandson and final Severan, Alexander.