Classical Numismatic Group, LLC
Electronic Auction 355 15 July 2015
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SYRIA, Seleucis and Pieria. Emesa. Julia Domna. Augusta, AD 193-217. Æ (24mm, 8.74 g, 12h). Dated SE 527 (AD 215/6). Draped bust right / Lighted altar of the temple of El-Gabal decorated with two sets of three arches decorated with figures; Z[KΦ] (date) in exergue. SNG München 814 var. (distribution of rev. legend; same obv. die); BMC 11. Fine, brown patina.
Emesa was the major cult center for the deity El-Gabal, being worshipped there in the form of a baetyl (an aniconic stone idol; in the case of El-Gabal, a large black conical stone, often interpreted as a meteorite). Just a few years after this coin was struck, in 218, a teenage priest of the god, Varius Avitus Bassianus, was declared emperor and took the name Marcus Aurelius Antoninus, although he is more commonly known as Elagabalus for his devotion to El-Gabal. Elagabalus moved the baetyl to Rome upon his accession (and based on the evidence of a medal of Elagabalus that recently appeared on the market, the altar as well). For a brief period, it seemed that El-Gabal might become the principle deity in the Roman pantheon. Wishing to distance himself from Elagabalus' unpopular religious practices, his successor Severus Alexander sent the baetyl back to Emesa. The cult of El-Gabal saw a resurgence in Rome under Aurelian, who wisely promoted the worship of the deity in an iconic form more acceptable to westerners.
See CNG E-352, lot 697 for two additional coins of the same type with identical markings.
Emesa was the major cult center for the deity El-Gabal, being worshipped there in the form of a baetyl (an aniconic stone idol; in the case of El-Gabal, a large black conical stone, often interpreted as a meteorite). Just a few years after this coin was struck, in 218, a teenage priest of the god, Varius Avitus Bassianus, was declared emperor and took the name Marcus Aurelius Antoninus, although he is more commonly known as Elagabalus for his devotion to El-Gabal. Elagabalus moved the baetyl to Rome upon his accession (and based on the evidence of a medal of Elagabalus that recently appeared on the market, the altar as well). For a brief period, it seemed that El-Gabal might become the principle deity in the Roman pantheon. Wishing to distance himself from Elagabalus' unpopular religious practices, his successor Severus Alexander sent the baetyl back to Emesa. The cult of El-Gabal saw a resurgence in Rome under Aurelian, who wisely promoted the worship of the deity in an iconic form more acceptable to westerners.
See CNG E-352, lot 697 for two additional coins of the same type with identical markings.