Numismatica Ars Classica
Auction 135 21 Nov 2022
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The Roman Empire. Caracalla augustus, 198 – 217.
Aureus 201-208, AV 7.19 g. ANTONINVS PIVS – AVG Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust r. Rev. ROMAE AETERNAE Hexastyle temple with Roma seated in front of columns between six figures standing l. and r.; in pediment above, Jupiter. C –. BMC p. 210, ++ (this coin). RIC 143A (this coin). Faces of Power 428 (this coin). Calicó 2810 (this coin illustrated).
Extremely rare and in exceptional condition for the issue, possibly the finest specimen
in private hands. A very interesting reverse type perfectly centred on a full flan.
Good extremely fine
Ex Spink's Numismatic Circular March-April 1925, 37952b; Ars Classica XVII, 1934, Evans, 1574; Münzhandlung Basel10, 1938, 684; Christie's 9 October 1984, Property of a Lady, 105; Vinchon 30 November 1993, 42 and Maison Palombo15, 2016, 61 sales. This coin is illustrated in The Roman Aurei by X. E. Calicó.
This extremely rare aureus of Caracalla that served as the plate coin for RIC 143A is considered to have been struck in the period between AD 201 and 208, but on the basis of the reverse type it is tempting to suggest that it actually belongs to AD 204, the year that the ludi saeculares were celebrated in Rome by Septimius Severus and his family. The ludi saeculares were a series of games and sacrifices that took place over the course of three days and nights to mark the beginning of a new saeculum-a period of 100 years considered to be the greatest extent of a human life. The start of a new age was the perfect occasion to celebrate Rome as the Eternal City, as depicted on the reverse of this coin. Ages might come and go, but the one constant, it was thought, would always be Rome and her empire. Here we see a beautiful rendering of the temple of Venus and Roma, which was originally designed by Hadrian and constructed over the ruins of Nero's palace on the Velian Hill of Rome between AD 121 and 141. Roma sits in splendour on her throne between the columns while Jupiter, the other great divine patron of the city appears in the sculptured pediment. The identity of the six figures who stand before the columns is somewhat uncertain-they do not appear in other numismatic depictions of the temple. As one appears to carry a palm branch and another a cornucopia, these probably represent other statuary associated with the temple, rather than worshippers. In addition to the enthroned cult images of Roma and Venus (not represented here) the temple is known to have boasted a statue of Amor (whose name spelled backwards is, not coincidentally, Roma) and colossal silver statues of Marcus Aurelius and Faustina the Younger as well as numerous other statues displayed in niches.
Graded Ch AU Strike 5/5 Surface 4/5, NGC certification number 6556714-024
Aureus 201-208, AV 7.19 g. ANTONINVS PIVS – AVG Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust r. Rev. ROMAE AETERNAE Hexastyle temple with Roma seated in front of columns between six figures standing l. and r.; in pediment above, Jupiter. C –. BMC p. 210, ++ (this coin). RIC 143A (this coin). Faces of Power 428 (this coin). Calicó 2810 (this coin illustrated).
Extremely rare and in exceptional condition for the issue, possibly the finest specimen
in private hands. A very interesting reverse type perfectly centred on a full flan.
Good extremely fine
Ex Spink's Numismatic Circular March-April 1925, 37952b; Ars Classica XVII, 1934, Evans, 1574; Münzhandlung Basel10, 1938, 684; Christie's 9 October 1984, Property of a Lady, 105; Vinchon 30 November 1993, 42 and Maison Palombo15, 2016, 61 sales. This coin is illustrated in The Roman Aurei by X. E. Calicó.
This extremely rare aureus of Caracalla that served as the plate coin for RIC 143A is considered to have been struck in the period between AD 201 and 208, but on the basis of the reverse type it is tempting to suggest that it actually belongs to AD 204, the year that the ludi saeculares were celebrated in Rome by Septimius Severus and his family. The ludi saeculares were a series of games and sacrifices that took place over the course of three days and nights to mark the beginning of a new saeculum-a period of 100 years considered to be the greatest extent of a human life. The start of a new age was the perfect occasion to celebrate Rome as the Eternal City, as depicted on the reverse of this coin. Ages might come and go, but the one constant, it was thought, would always be Rome and her empire. Here we see a beautiful rendering of the temple of Venus and Roma, which was originally designed by Hadrian and constructed over the ruins of Nero's palace on the Velian Hill of Rome between AD 121 and 141. Roma sits in splendour on her throne between the columns while Jupiter, the other great divine patron of the city appears in the sculptured pediment. The identity of the six figures who stand before the columns is somewhat uncertain-they do not appear in other numismatic depictions of the temple. As one appears to carry a palm branch and another a cornucopia, these probably represent other statuary associated with the temple, rather than worshippers. In addition to the enthroned cult images of Roma and Venus (not represented here) the temple is known to have boasted a statue of Amor (whose name spelled backwards is, not coincidentally, Roma) and colossal silver statues of Marcus Aurelius and Faustina the Younger as well as numerous other statues displayed in niches.
Graded Ch AU Strike 5/5 Surface 4/5, NGC certification number 6556714-024