Watch List notes:

CILICIA. Tarsus. Caracalla, 198-217. Hexassarion (Bronze, 35 mm, 15.33 g, 6 h). ΑΥΤ ΚΑΙ Μ ΑΥΡ CЄΥΗΡΟC ΑΝΤΩΝЄΙΝΟC / Π - Π Bust of Caracalla to right, wearing crown and garment of the demiourgos. Rev. ΑΝΤΩΝΙΑΝΗC CЄΥH ΑΔΡΙΑ / ΤΑΡCΟΥ / Γ Β Elephant standing left, bearing cilicarch crown inscribed with A Μ K K-I O. SNG Levante Supp. 269. SNG Paris 1541 (same dies). Very rare. Light deposits, otherwise, about very fine.


The inscription on the cilicarch crown stands for πρώτη ('the first', inscribed as A, the number one), μεγίστη ('the greatest') and 'καλλίστη' (the most beautiful), titles for which Tarsus vied with her rival city, Anazarbus. As Caracalla granted many cities this title on his way to fight the Persians in the war of 216-217, this type uniquely added KI O, or Κιλικίας ὀρέων, 'of the hills of Cilicia', to show that of the Cilician cities, only Tarsus was honored with these titles.