Classical Numismatic Group, LLC
Electronic Auction 467 6 May 2020
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Elagabalus. AD 218-222. AR Denarius (20mm, 2.26 g, 6h). Rome mint. Struck AD 221-222. Laureate and draped bust right, wearing horn and beard / SVMMVS SACERDOS AVG, Elagabalus standing left, sacrificing from patera over lighted tripod and holding branch; star to left. RIC IV 146; Thirion 312; RSC 276. Area of flat strike. Good VF.
At the age of fourteen, Varius Avitus Bassianus (Elagabalus) inherited the office of high priest of the sun-god El-Gabal at Emesa in Syria. The cult of his 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. During his reign, Elagabalus devoted his efforts to the promotion of his cult god. The reverse type and legend on the present coin promote his position as high priest of the sun-god Elagabalus.
At the age of fourteen, Varius Avitus Bassianus (Elagabalus) inherited the office of high priest of the sun-god El-Gabal at Emesa in Syria. The cult of his 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. During his reign, Elagabalus devoted his efforts to the promotion of his cult god. The reverse type and legend on the present coin promote his position as high priest of the sun-god Elagabalus.