Watch List notes:

Philippopolis, Thrace. Caracalla, 198-217. Hexassarion or Medallion (Bronze, 38mm, 29.90 g 7), 214. ΑVΤ Κ Μ ΑVΡ CΕVΗ ΑΝΤΩΝΕΙΝΟC Radiate, draped and cuirassed bust of Caracalla to right. Rev. ΚΟΙΝΟΝ ΘΡΑΚΩΝ ΑΛΕΖΑΝ / EΝ ΦΙΛΙΠ / ΠΟΠΟ Richly ornamented agonistic table with four legs; on top, prize crown inscribed ΠVΘΙΑ; below, palm and amphora. Varbanov 1424. Rare. Well struck and with a powerful portrait of Caracalla and a fine dark green patina. Two minor edge cracks from striking, otherwise, extremely fine.


The Pythian Games were refounded by Caracalla in Thrace, and they were especially celebrated at Philippopolis, which produced a commemorative coinage bearing numerous types related to the event. This piece shows one of the elaborate crowns given to the victor: it is carefully named so that we can have no doubt to which festival it relates.