Classical Numismatic Group, LLC
Triton XXIII 14-15 Jan 2020
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CILICIA, Aegeae. Pseudo-autonomous issue. temp. Caracalla, AD 198-217. AR Tetradrachm (25.5mm, 11.97 g, 5h). Dated CY 263 (AD 216/7). Bust of Asclepius right, wearing taenia and with slight drapery; to right, serpent-entwined staff; AIΓЄAIΩN [ATΩN]ЄINOY (sic) ΠO Λ[ЄΩC] AINIANΩN (sic) ("the A[n]tonine city of Aegeae") around / Asclepius standing facing, head left and holding serpent-entwined staff, within octastyle temple; [MAKЄΔONI ЄYΓ]ЄN ΠICT[H]C ΘЄOΦIΛOV ("of noble and Macedonian origin, pious and god loving") around; in exergue, ΓΞ(goat kneeling left?)C (date). Prieur –; F. Haymann, "Caracalla in Aigeai: ein neues Tetradrachmon...," JNG 60 (2010), Fig. 4 var. (obv. legend reads ...ANTΩNЄINOY... and placement of date on rev.) and 5 (obv. legend indistinct). Lightly toned, weakly struck. VF. Extremely rare, perhaps the fifth known.
As patron deity of Aegeae, which was renowned for its doctors, the appearance of Asclepius is not surprising, but the type must also allude to Caracalla's well being. The emperor's health had declined precipitously in the final years of his reign. On his way to campaign in the east in AD 214, he visited the great shrine of Asclepius at Pergamum in hopes of finding a cure. This visit was commemorated with a remarkable series of medallions issued at Pergamum, and around the same time Asclepius was honored on Caracalla's imperial coinage. The exact circumstances that led to this rare tetradrachm being struck at Aegeae are unknown. It is possible that Caracalla visited the important port town on his journey east.
This is perhaps only the fifth known example of the type. The others are: 1) Haymann p. 153, 4 = New York Sale XL, lot 1114 = New York Sale XIV, lot 167; 2) Haymann p. 155, 5 = ANS 1944.10053024; 3) Auctiones GmBH E-43, lot 34; 4) Triton XXII, lot 504.
As patron deity of Aegeae, which was renowned for its doctors, the appearance of Asclepius is not surprising, but the type must also allude to Caracalla's well being. The emperor's health had declined precipitously in the final years of his reign. On his way to campaign in the east in AD 214, he visited the great shrine of Asclepius at Pergamum in hopes of finding a cure. This visit was commemorated with a remarkable series of medallions issued at Pergamum, and around the same time Asclepius was honored on Caracalla's imperial coinage. The exact circumstances that led to this rare tetradrachm being struck at Aegeae are unknown. It is possible that Caracalla visited the important port town on his journey east.
This is perhaps only the fifth known example of the type. The others are: 1) Haymann p. 153, 4 = New York Sale XL, lot 1114 = New York Sale XIV, lot 167; 2) Haymann p. 155, 5 = ANS 1944.10053024; 3) Auctiones GmBH E-43, lot 34; 4) Triton XXII, lot 504.