Roma Numismatics Ltd
Auction XVIII 29 Sep 2019
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Caracalla AV Aureus. Rome, AD 199-200. ANTONINVS AVGVSTVS, laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust right / RECTOR ORBIS, Sol, radiate, naked except for cloak falling over left shoulder, standing facing, head left, holding globe in extended right hand and vertical reversed spear in left. RIC 39a; C. 541; Calicó 2804b (same obverse die) and 2804 (same reverse die); BMCRE 163; Biaggi 1214; Jameson 179 (same obverse die); Mazzini 541 (same reverse die). 7.28g, 20mm, 5h.
Mint State. Very Rare.
When Septimius Severus focused attentions on the consolidation of his new dynasty, he did not shy away from thrusting his young sons into the public eye: they were key to presenting the impression of both longevity and seamless succession. This coin, minted between AD 199-200, is just one example of how the children became central to the imperial public image. In an effort to link his dynasty with the Antonine Dynasty, Septimius gave Caracalla a new name: Marcus Aurelius Severus Antoninus Augustus ('Caracalla' being simply a nickname derived from a type of Gaulish vestment). He also granted him the title of Caesar in AD 196, and by AD 198 at the tender age of ten, Caracalla was raised to the rank of Augustus thereby making him co-emperor with his father. A further dimension to this promotion of the imperial children can be found on the reverse of this coin where an ambiguous representation of the sun god Sol is depicted. Despite the legend 'rector orbis'/ 'ruler of the world' attesting to the figure being Sol, it has been argued that the figure might instead represent Caracalla in the guise of the God (E. Manders, 2012, Coining Images of Power: Patterns in the Representation of Roman Emperors on Imperial Coinage A.D. 193-284).
While Severus had intended his sons to rule as co-augusti after his passing, thereby seamlessly continuing Severan domination, it was not long before bitter fights for sole rule began between the brothers. Events climaxed at a reconciliation meeting in AD 211, when, under the instruction of Caracalla, Geta was assassinated by the Praetorian Guard. Caracalla could now assume sole rule of the empire and he ordered a damnatio memoriae against Geta's memory as well as carrying out an alienation of the senatorial aristocracy by abrogating much of their remaining authority and prestige. (E. Varner, 2004, Mutilation and Transformation, Damnatio Memoriae and Roman Imperial portraiture).
Mint State. Very Rare.
When Septimius Severus focused attentions on the consolidation of his new dynasty, he did not shy away from thrusting his young sons into the public eye: they were key to presenting the impression of both longevity and seamless succession. This coin, minted between AD 199-200, is just one example of how the children became central to the imperial public image. In an effort to link his dynasty with the Antonine Dynasty, Septimius gave Caracalla a new name: Marcus Aurelius Severus Antoninus Augustus ('Caracalla' being simply a nickname derived from a type of Gaulish vestment). He also granted him the title of Caesar in AD 196, and by AD 198 at the tender age of ten, Caracalla was raised to the rank of Augustus thereby making him co-emperor with his father. A further dimension to this promotion of the imperial children can be found on the reverse of this coin where an ambiguous representation of the sun god Sol is depicted. Despite the legend 'rector orbis'/ 'ruler of the world' attesting to the figure being Sol, it has been argued that the figure might instead represent Caracalla in the guise of the God (E. Manders, 2012, Coining Images of Power: Patterns in the Representation of Roman Emperors on Imperial Coinage A.D. 193-284).
While Severus had intended his sons to rule as co-augusti after his passing, thereby seamlessly continuing Severan domination, it was not long before bitter fights for sole rule began between the brothers. Events climaxed at a reconciliation meeting in AD 211, when, under the instruction of Caracalla, Geta was assassinated by the Praetorian Guard. Caracalla could now assume sole rule of the empire and he ordered a damnatio memoriae against Geta's memory as well as carrying out an alienation of the senatorial aristocracy by abrogating much of their remaining authority and prestige. (E. Varner, 2004, Mutilation and Transformation, Damnatio Memoriae and Roman Imperial portraiture).