Classical Numismatic Group, LLC
Electronic Auction 423 27 Jun 2018
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Elagabalus. AD 218-222. AR Denarius (18mm, 3.07 g, 7h). Uncertain Eastern mint. Struck AD 219-220. IMP ΛNTO NINVS ΛVG, laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust right / SΛNCT DEO S OL I/ELΛGΛBΛL·, four horses advancing right, drawing chariot containing Stone of Emesa, surmounted by eagle and surrounded by four parasols. RIC IV 144 var. (not cuirassed); Thirion 362a; RSC 266 var. (same); Gemini VII, lot 805 (same dies). VF, toned. Very rare type with the eastern mint's second obverse legend.
Ex CNG Inventory 897205 (June 2011).
At the age of fourteen, Varius Avitus Bassianus (Elagabalus) inherited the office of high priest of the sun-god Elagabalus at Emesa in Syria. The cult of his sun god was represented by a sacred stone, and in AD 219 when he moved from Emesa to Rome, he took the stone, probably a meteorite, with him. This coin type commemorates this event. During his reign, Elagabalus devoted his efforts to the promotion of his cult god, building a lavish temple to house the stone.
Ex CNG Inventory 897205 (June 2011).
At the age of fourteen, Varius Avitus Bassianus (Elagabalus) inherited the office of high priest of the sun-god Elagabalus at Emesa in Syria. The cult of his sun god was represented by a sacred stone, and in AD 219 when he moved from Emesa to Rome, he took the stone, probably a meteorite, with him. This coin type commemorates this event. During his reign, Elagabalus devoted his efforts to the promotion of his cult god, building a lavish temple to house the stone.