Classical Numismatic Group, LLC
Electronic Auction 484 27 Jan 2021
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Elagabalus. AD 218-222. AR Denarius (18mm, 4.05 g, 5h). 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. EF. Wonderful portrait.
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. During his reign, Elagabalus devoted his efforts to the promotion of his cult god. The portrait on this coin shows him wearing the horn of the Emesan sun cult, an eastern symbol of divine power. 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. During his reign, Elagabalus devoted his efforts to the promotion of his cult god. The portrait on this coin shows him wearing the horn of the Emesan sun cult, an eastern symbol of divine power. The reverse type and legend on the present coin promote his position as high priest of the sun-god Elagabalus.