CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICITY
- Emperor:
- Caracalla
- Denomination:
- AR Tetradrachm
- Composition:
- Silver
- Date:
- circa 215-217 AD (Δ in reverse legend = Consulship IV), likely struck at a travelling 'war mint'
- Obverse:
- B ΑYΤ Κ Μ A · · · ΑΝΤΩΝΕΙΝ[ΟC [CE], Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust of Caracalla, right, seen from behind
- Reverse:
- ΔΗΜΑΡΧ ΕΞ ΥΠΑΤΟC TO Δ, Eagle standing, facing, head right, on large club; in between legs, star
- Reference:
- Prieur 232 (this coin, illustrated); McAlee 685; Butcher -
- Size:
- 27.25mm, 12.5g, 11h
- Province:
- Syria, Seleucis and Pieria, Antiochia ad Orontem
- Grade:
- Choice EF, tight flan, lightly toned, lustrous
- Rarity:
- exceedingly rare
- Rarity Details:
- only six specimens known to Prieur
- Provenance:
- Prieur plate coin; from the Michael Prieur Collection, ex Classical Numismatic Group Auction 111 (29 May 2019), Lot 541; Auctiones AG 16 (1 October 1986), lot 214
- Information:
- Plate coin from Prieur, M. & K. Prieur. The Syro-Phoenician Tetradrachms and their fractions from 57 BC to AD 258. (Lancaster, PA, 2000). Prieur attributes this coin to a group of 'war issue' tetradrachms, likely issued by mints travelling with legions.
Lucius Septimius Bassianus . He became known as 'Caracalla' after the Gallic cloak which he regularly wore. He was assassinated by a soldier on route to visiting a temple near Carrhae, whilst stopping briefly to attend to the call of nature. Three days later, Macrinus declared himself emperor. Caracalla's popularity with the military ensured he was not subject to a damnatio memoriae. Notwithstanding this, his reputation and legacy in history remains that of a cruel ruler, whose terrible deeds include the murder of his brother Geta and the massacre of Geta's supporters.
I, Peter A. Piliouras of Ancient Coin Traders irrevocably guarantee for life to the Purchaser that this ancient coin is authentic. If this coin is deemed not to be authentic by a professional certification service, then I will refund to the Purchaser the full cost of acquiring the coin (including shipping) together with the certification fees.
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Signed: Peter Anthony Piliouras
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Date