Roma Numismatics Ltd
E-Sale 72 25 Jun 2020
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Elagabalus AR Denarius. Rome, AD 220-221. IMP ANTONINVS PIVS AVG, laureate, draped bust right wearing 'horn' / P M TR P IIII COS III P P, Elagabalus standing left, sacrificing over lighted altar, holding patera and branch; star in left field. RIC 46; BMCRE 256; RSC 196. 3.06g, 19mm, 6h.
Near Mint State; attractive old cabinet tone.
From the Brian Henry Grover Collection
The reverse of this coin shows the Emperor sacrificing at an altar and with a star in the left field, representing Elagabal as Deus Sol Invictus, while the obverse features a portrait of the emperor laureate and with a 'horn' protruding from his forehead. Mattingly and Sydenham suggested that the horn represents rays of sun emanating from the Emperor's head, thus showing his divine patronage, and liken its use to other instances in history, such as the horn of Ammon that is present on the coinage of Alexander the Great and his successors. However, more recent scholarship has suggested that the 'horn' in question is in fact symbolic of his depraved religious practices, and perhaps deliberately intended to antagonise Roman sensibilities.
Near Mint State; attractive old cabinet tone.
From the Brian Henry Grover Collection
The reverse of this coin shows the Emperor sacrificing at an altar and with a star in the left field, representing Elagabal as Deus Sol Invictus, while the obverse features a portrait of the emperor laureate and with a 'horn' protruding from his forehead. Mattingly and Sydenham suggested that the horn represents rays of sun emanating from the Emperor's head, thus showing his divine patronage, and liken its use to other instances in history, such as the horn of Ammon that is present on the coinage of Alexander the Great and his successors. However, more recent scholarship has suggested that the 'horn' in question is in fact symbolic of his depraved religious practices, and perhaps deliberately intended to antagonise Roman sensibilities.