Numismatica Ars Classica
Auction 135 21 Nov 2022
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The Roman Empire. Caracalla augustus, 198 – 217.
Aureus circa 201, AV 7.35 g. ANTONINVS – AVGVSTVS Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust of Caracalla r. Rev. P SEPT GETA – CAES PONT Bare-headed, draped and cuirassed bust of Geta r. C 1. BMC 162 note. RIC 38. Calicó 2861 (this obverse die).
Very rare. Two delicate portraits of fine style and a wonderful light
reddish tone. Virtually as struck and Fdc
Ex Hirsch 33, 1913, 1360; Sotheby's 9 September 1983, Brand, 375; NAC-Spink Taisei 16 November 1994, Steinberg,593 and NAC 24, 2002, 144 sales.
Among the least ornate, yet the most beautiful of the Severan dynastic aurei is this issue with the bust of Caracalla on the obverse and that of his younger brother Geta on the reverse. Although the two boys were relatively close in age, Caracalla was hailed Augustus in 198, whereas Geta remained Caesar until 209. This piece was struck quite early in their Imperial experience, and the hatred that existed at this point was probably viewed as simple boyhood competitiveness rather than the true disdain into which it later evolved. By that time each had their own faction of supporters in Rome and throughout the empire, and after Caracalla had Geta murdered in their mother's arms, he wasted no time in tracking down and murdering a great many other people who had been loyal to Geta. Beyond that, Caracalla went to great lengths to destroy busts and images of his brother, even to the point of having his portrait chiselled off of dual-portrait coins struck in the provinces.
Graded AU* Strike 5/5 Surface 5/5, NGC certification number 6556714-026
Aureus circa 201, AV 7.35 g. ANTONINVS – AVGVSTVS Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust of Caracalla r. Rev. P SEPT GETA – CAES PONT Bare-headed, draped and cuirassed bust of Geta r. C 1. BMC 162 note. RIC 38. Calicó 2861 (this obverse die).
Very rare. Two delicate portraits of fine style and a wonderful light
reddish tone. Virtually as struck and Fdc
Ex Hirsch 33, 1913, 1360; Sotheby's 9 September 1983, Brand, 375; NAC-Spink Taisei 16 November 1994, Steinberg,593 and NAC 24, 2002, 144 sales.
Among the least ornate, yet the most beautiful of the Severan dynastic aurei is this issue with the bust of Caracalla on the obverse and that of his younger brother Geta on the reverse. Although the two boys were relatively close in age, Caracalla was hailed Augustus in 198, whereas Geta remained Caesar until 209. This piece was struck quite early in their Imperial experience, and the hatred that existed at this point was probably viewed as simple boyhood competitiveness rather than the true disdain into which it later evolved. By that time each had their own faction of supporters in Rome and throughout the empire, and after Caracalla had Geta murdered in their mother's arms, he wasted no time in tracking down and murdering a great many other people who had been loyal to Geta. Beyond that, Caracalla went to great lengths to destroy busts and images of his brother, even to the point of having his portrait chiselled off of dual-portrait coins struck in the provinces.
Graded AU* Strike 5/5 Surface 5/5, NGC certification number 6556714-026