Numismatica Ars Classica
Auction 131 30 May 2022
View prices realized
► Sale information
Find similar lots
Caracalla augustus, 198 – 217
Aureus 214, AV 7.20 g. ANTONINVS PIVS AVG GERM Laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust r. Rev. P M TR P XVII COS IIII P P Salus standing r., holding snake in r. hand and feeding it from bowl held in her l.; in r. field, Asclepius standing facing, head l., globe at feet, leaning on serpent-entwined staff; between them, small hooded Telesphorus standing facing. C –. BMC –. RIC –. Calicó –, cf. 2714 (for same year with Asclepius and Telesphorus on reverse).
Apparently unique and unpublished. A bold portrait of excellent style and a very
interesting reverse compostion. Virtually as struck and almost Fdc
Ex Triton sale XVIII, 2015, 1162.
According to Greek mythology, Asclepius was originally a son of Apollo and a mortal woman. His medical skills were renowned and became so great that he could even raise the dead back to life through the use of herbs and his healing staff. After hearing repeated complaints from Hades that Asclepius was depopulating the underworld and fearing that he might teach the art of resurrection to mortals, Zeus struck the healer down with a thunderbolt. However, at Apollo's request, the king later resurrected Asclepius and gave him a place as a god on Mount Olympus.
Telesphorus was the youngest child and only son of Asclepius, who also had five older daughters: Iaso, Hygieia, Panacea, Aceso, and Aglaia. Telesphorus was regularly represented in Greek and Roman art as a diminutive figure wearing a hooded cloak. He was a special protector of children and presided over recovery from illness. He frequently appears with his sister Hygieia, was the goddess of general good health and cleanliness.
The depiction of Asclepius, Hygieia and Telesphorus together on the present aureus of Caracalla is thought to refer to the Emperor's visit to the famous sanctuary of Asclepius at Pergamum during his tour of Asia Minor in AD 214. The reason for his visit to this centre of the healing god's worship is uncertain although some believed that he sought relief from tormenting dreams in which he was pursued by his father Septimius Severus and his brother Geta. One can believe that Caracalla had such nightmares. After all, he had ordered the murder of Geta not long after the death of their father so that he could rule alone. It is unclear whether Asclepius or Telesphorus were able to do much for him. Fratricide is somewhat outside the usual list of ailments that the healing deities were known to cure.
View a video of this lot
Aureus 214, AV 7.20 g. ANTONINVS PIVS AVG GERM Laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust r. Rev. P M TR P XVII COS IIII P P Salus standing r., holding snake in r. hand and feeding it from bowl held in her l.; in r. field, Asclepius standing facing, head l., globe at feet, leaning on serpent-entwined staff; between them, small hooded Telesphorus standing facing. C –. BMC –. RIC –. Calicó –, cf. 2714 (for same year with Asclepius and Telesphorus on reverse).
Apparently unique and unpublished. A bold portrait of excellent style and a very
interesting reverse compostion. Virtually as struck and almost Fdc
Ex Triton sale XVIII, 2015, 1162.
According to Greek mythology, Asclepius was originally a son of Apollo and a mortal woman. His medical skills were renowned and became so great that he could even raise the dead back to life through the use of herbs and his healing staff. After hearing repeated complaints from Hades that Asclepius was depopulating the underworld and fearing that he might teach the art of resurrection to mortals, Zeus struck the healer down with a thunderbolt. However, at Apollo's request, the king later resurrected Asclepius and gave him a place as a god on Mount Olympus.
Telesphorus was the youngest child and only son of Asclepius, who also had five older daughters: Iaso, Hygieia, Panacea, Aceso, and Aglaia. Telesphorus was regularly represented in Greek and Roman art as a diminutive figure wearing a hooded cloak. He was a special protector of children and presided over recovery from illness. He frequently appears with his sister Hygieia, was the goddess of general good health and cleanliness.
The depiction of Asclepius, Hygieia and Telesphorus together on the present aureus of Caracalla is thought to refer to the Emperor's visit to the famous sanctuary of Asclepius at Pergamum during his tour of Asia Minor in AD 214. The reason for his visit to this centre of the healing god's worship is uncertain although some believed that he sought relief from tormenting dreams in which he was pursued by his father Septimius Severus and his brother Geta. One can believe that Caracalla had such nightmares. After all, he had ordered the murder of Geta not long after the death of their father so that he could rule alone. It is unclear whether Asclepius or Telesphorus were able to do much for him. Fratricide is somewhat outside the usual list of ailments that the healing deities were known to cure.
View a video of this lot