Watch List notes:

THRACE, Philippopolis. Caracalla, 198-217. Tetrassarion (Bronze, 31mm, 16.02 g 7), 215. AΥT K M AΥΡ CEVH ANTΩNEINOC Laureate head of Caracalla to right. Rev. KOINON ΘΡAKΩN AΛEZANΔΡIA ΠVΘIA / EN ΦIΛIΠΠ/OΠOΛI Zeus seated left on throne, holding long scepter in his left hand and patera in his right. Varbanov 1452. Rare. Very fine.


This coin commemorates the Alexandrian-Pythian games held in Philippopolis in 215 on the occasion of the emperor's visit. By re-naming the games in honour of Alexander, the city flattered Caracalla, whose imitatio alexandri was well known.