Watch List notes:

MYSIA. Pergamum. Caracalla, 198-217. Medallion (Orichalcum, 43 mm, 39.85 g, 6 h), M. Kairel. Attalos, strategos, 214. AYT•KPAT•K MAPKOC•AYΡ•ANTΩNЄINOC Laureate and cuirassed bust of Caracalla to right, breastplate decorated with gorgoneion. Rev. ЄΠI CTP M KAIPЄΛ / ATT-AΛO/Y / ΠЄ/PΓA/MH/NΩN / ΠPΩTΩN Γ NЄΩKOPΩN Three temples; two seen in perspective facing left and right; the one above seen from front with statue of Asklepios seated to left within, holding coiled serpent in his right hand and scepter in his left; in pediment of the temple of Zeus, AN. BMC 327 and pl. XXXII, 1 corr. (same dies). SNG Paris 2227-2229 var. (differing reverse legend arrangement). SNG von Aulock 1411-1412 var. (differing reverse legend arrangement). Rare. A splendid example of this impressive issue. Somewhat smoothed and with two tiny scuffs on the reverse, otherwise, good very fine.


This impressive medallion was issued on the occasion of Caracalla's visit to Pergamum, where the emperor sought cure from an unknown disease in the famous sanctuary of Asklepios. What makes the reverse particularly interesting is that the Temple of Asklepios carries the letters 'AN' in the pediment, and that the legend in the exergue proudly calls the city the 'first three times neokoros [of the Augusti]'. Other examples show the three temples side by side, where they carry the letters AYΓ, AN and TPA in their pediments. Thus, we can conclude that the coins show the three Temples of Augustus, Trajan and Caracalla, the latter of which apparently was not a new construction, but a former Temple of Asklepios, which the god now shared with the emperor.