CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICITY
- Emperor:
- Caracalla
- Denomination:
- AR Tetradrachm
- Composition:
- Silver
- Date:
- circa 214-215 AD ( Δ in reverse legend = Consulship IV), part of the first issue
- Obverse:
- ΑYΤ·Κ·AI··ΑΝΤωΝΕΙΝΟC, Laureate bust of Caracalla, right
- Reverse:
- ΔΗΜΑΡΧ ΕΞ ΥΠATOΔ, Eagle standing, head and tail left, wings spread; between legs, the Three Graces within wreath
- Reference:
- Prieur 1588 (this coin, illustrated); McAlee-; BMC Galatia -; Butcher -
- Size:
- 26.81mm, 14.1g, 6h
- Province:
- Decapolis, Gadara
- Grade:
- VF, reverse slightly off centre, toned, some dark deposits,
- Provenance:
- Prieur plate coin; from the Michael Prieur Collection, ex Classical Numismatic Group eAuction 445 (5 June 2019), Lot 328; Münzen und Medaillen GmbH 1 (16 September 1997), Lot 501.
- Information:
- Plate coin from Prieur, M. & K. Prieur. The Syro-Phoenician Tetradrachms and their fractions from 57 BC to AD 258. (Lancaster, PA, 2000).
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