Roma Numismatics Ltd
E-Sale 32 7 January 2017
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Caracalla Æ Medallion of Pergamon, Mysia. Struck under Julius Anthimos, AD 214-217. AVT KPAT K MAPKOC AVP ANTΩNEINOC, laureate and cuirassed bust right, cuirass ornamented with a gorgoneion / ЄΠI CTP IOVΛ ANΘIMOV ΠЄPΓAMHNΩN, the emperor standing facing in military dress, with head left, holding sceptre and patera over altar; between two vexilla to left and right fields; ΠPΩTΩN TPIC NЄΩKOPΩN in exergue. SNG France 2236; BMC -. 42.54g, 42mm, 6h.
Near Extremely Fine, in exceptional condition for the type, banker's mark on obverse. Very Rare.
This medallion of Pergamon can be understood within the context of Caracalla's passage through Asia Minor in AD 214-215 prior to his Parthian campaign, which included a visit to the city. The emperor's visit to Pergamon is fairly well documented by both Herodian and Cassius Dio, as well as a series of medallions struck to commemorate the event (SNG France 2217-2252). The comments of Herodian (IV, 8.3) suggest the primary motivation for the visit was to receive treatment at the famous sanctuary of the healing god Asklepios, as the emperor was suffering ill-health. Despite this, the city would also be granted a third neocorate by Caracalla as boasted by the reverse legend on this medallion (TPIC NЄΩKOPΩN).
B. Burrell has identified that the coins registering Pergamon's third neocorate were issued by three separate strategoi (Neokoroi: Greek Cities and Roman Emperors, 2004) and this medallion bears the name of second strategos: Julius Anthimos (IOVΛ ANΘIMOV). As each magistrate held office for one year, this medallion was presumably minted around AD 215-216 while Caracalla was preparing or had launched his Parthian campaign. The reverse depiction of the emperor standing in military dress between two vexilla would seem to support this and is in contrast to the earlier issues of M. Caerelius Attalos, which depict the imperial temples of Pergamon and the emperor presiding over sacrifices.
Near Extremely Fine, in exceptional condition for the type, banker's mark on obverse. Very Rare.
This medallion of Pergamon can be understood within the context of Caracalla's passage through Asia Minor in AD 214-215 prior to his Parthian campaign, which included a visit to the city. The emperor's visit to Pergamon is fairly well documented by both Herodian and Cassius Dio, as well as a series of medallions struck to commemorate the event (SNG France 2217-2252). The comments of Herodian (IV, 8.3) suggest the primary motivation for the visit was to receive treatment at the famous sanctuary of the healing god Asklepios, as the emperor was suffering ill-health. Despite this, the city would also be granted a third neocorate by Caracalla as boasted by the reverse legend on this medallion (TPIC NЄΩKOPΩN).
B. Burrell has identified that the coins registering Pergamon's third neocorate were issued by three separate strategoi (Neokoroi: Greek Cities and Roman Emperors, 2004) and this medallion bears the name of second strategos: Julius Anthimos (IOVΛ ANΘIMOV). As each magistrate held office for one year, this medallion was presumably minted around AD 215-216 while Caracalla was preparing or had launched his Parthian campaign. The reverse depiction of the emperor standing in military dress between two vexilla would seem to support this and is in contrast to the earlier issues of M. Caerelius Attalos, which depict the imperial temples of Pergamon and the emperor presiding over sacrifices.