Numismatica Ars Classica
Auction 135 21 Nov 2022
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The Roman Empire. Caracalla augustus, 198 – 217.
Aureus, Laodicea (?) 201, AV 7.09 g. ANTONINVS – AVGVSTVS Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust r. Rev. PART MAX PONT TR P IIII Trophy; on either side, captive seated in attitude of mourning; in exergue, COS. C 176 var. (not cuirassed). BMC p. 204 note *. RIC 55 (Rome). Biaggi 1186 (this coin). Calicó 2701 (this coin illustrated).
Very rare and in exceptional condition for the issue, among the finest specimens known.
A very unusual and interesting portrait perfectly struck in high relief.
Virtually as struck and almost Fdc
Ex Egger 39, 1912, Doubles du Cabinet de Vienne, 1112; M&M 15, 1955, 812 and NAC 49, 2008, B.d.B., 323 sales. Thiscoin is illustrated in The Roman Aurei by X. E. Calicó.
Like the preceding aureus, this coin was also produced in the context of the Severan Parthian triumph, although it was probably struck nearer to the Parthian front, at Laodicea ad Mare in Syria, rather than at Rome. As an important Syrian port, it was a prime location for an imperial mint to strike the coinage needed to pay and reward troops as they returned from eastern campaigns and embarked on ships to return to other, more westerly posts. This coin celebrates their son's involvement in the Parthian war. Although the obverse names him as Antoninus-a name derived from the fact that his father had been elevated to senatorial rank by Marcus Aurelius-he was later popularly known as Caracalla due to a type of Gallic hooded tunic that he favoured while on campaign. The reverse type is explicit in its celebration of the Parthian triumph. Not only does the legend refer to Caracalla as Parthicus Maximus, a title shared with his father, but it features a trophy of arms flanked by Parthian captives. The ethnicity of the captives is made clear by the long pants and Phrygian caps that they wear.
Graded AU* Strike 5/5 Surface 4/5, NGC certification number 6556713-031
Aureus, Laodicea (?) 201, AV 7.09 g. ANTONINVS – AVGVSTVS Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust r. Rev. PART MAX PONT TR P IIII Trophy; on either side, captive seated in attitude of mourning; in exergue, COS. C 176 var. (not cuirassed). BMC p. 204 note *. RIC 55 (Rome). Biaggi 1186 (this coin). Calicó 2701 (this coin illustrated).
Very rare and in exceptional condition for the issue, among the finest specimens known.
A very unusual and interesting portrait perfectly struck in high relief.
Virtually as struck and almost Fdc
Ex Egger 39, 1912, Doubles du Cabinet de Vienne, 1112; M&M 15, 1955, 812 and NAC 49, 2008, B.d.B., 323 sales. Thiscoin is illustrated in The Roman Aurei by X. E. Calicó.
Like the preceding aureus, this coin was also produced in the context of the Severan Parthian triumph, although it was probably struck nearer to the Parthian front, at Laodicea ad Mare in Syria, rather than at Rome. As an important Syrian port, it was a prime location for an imperial mint to strike the coinage needed to pay and reward troops as they returned from eastern campaigns and embarked on ships to return to other, more westerly posts. This coin celebrates their son's involvement in the Parthian war. Although the obverse names him as Antoninus-a name derived from the fact that his father had been elevated to senatorial rank by Marcus Aurelius-he was later popularly known as Caracalla due to a type of Gallic hooded tunic that he favoured while on campaign. The reverse type is explicit in its celebration of the Parthian triumph. Not only does the legend refer to Caracalla as Parthicus Maximus, a title shared with his father, but it features a trophy of arms flanked by Parthian captives. The ethnicity of the captives is made clear by the long pants and Phrygian caps that they wear.
Graded AU* Strike 5/5 Surface 4/5, NGC certification number 6556713-031