CARACALLA


Caesar: 196-198 A.D.
Augustus: 198-217 A.D.
    CARACALLA was the nickname given to the eldest son of Septimius Severus and Julia Domna born on April 4, 188 A.D. in Lugdunum (Lyon, France). He was named Lucius Septimius Bassianus after his maternal grandfather, but renamed MARCVS AVRELIVS ANTONINVS not long before he was made Caesar on May 27th, 196. He became Augustus in April 198, but didn't become sole ruler until his father died early 211 and he had his brother Geta murdered on December 26, 211 A.D. He was married to Plautilla from 202 to 205 but banished and later executed her. He wanted to be another Alexander the Great, but is known as a bloodthirsty and cruel emperor, and was finally assassinated on April 8, 217.
(Adopted from MONETA, available at www.numus.com)

Caracalla is responsible for the introduction of the double denarius, popularly known as the  'Antoninianus' in 215 A.D.. This denomination would replace the denarius as the main silver coin by the middle of the 3rd century.



The Antoniniani

Silver Antoninianus (23mm, 4.56gr) Struck 215 A.D. in Rome

Obv: ANTONINVS PIVS AVG GERM Radiate, draped and cuirassed bust right

Rev: P M TR P XVIII COS IIII P P Jupiter standing half right, facing right, holding lightning bolt and scepter.

RIC 258a, RSC 279, CSS 1465, Sear 6775 var.
Jan de Veen Collection

Silver Antoninianus (23mm, 5.06gr) Struck 215 A.D. in Rome

Obv: ANTONINVS PIVS AVG GERM Radiate, draped and cuirassed bust right

Rev: P M TR P XVIII COS IIII P P Sol standing right, head left, raising hand and holding globe.

RIC 264c, RSC 287, CSS 1468, Sear 6777 var.
Mark Lehman Collection


The Denarii

Silver Denarius (18mm, 2.68gr) Struck 207 A.D. in Rome

Obv: ANTONINVS PIVS AVG Laureate head right

Rev: PONTIF TR P X COS II Securitas enthroned right, resting head on hand and holding scepter, altar at feet.

RIC 92, RSC 434 var., CSS 916, Sear 6863
Mark Lehman Collection

Silver Denarius (20mm, 3.29gr) Struck 208 A.D. in Rome

Obv: ANTONINVS PIVS AVG Laureate head right

Rev: PONTIF TR P XI COS III Mars, in fighting attitude, standing right, holding spear and shield.

RIC 100, RSC 446-7, CSS 982, Sear 6867
David B. Wilber Collection

Silver Denarius (19mm, 3.08gr) Struck 205 A.D. in Rome

Obv: ANTONINVS PIVS AVG Laureate and draped bust right

Rev: FELICITAS AVGG Felicitas standing left,  holding caduceus and cornucopiae.

RIC 127, RSC 64, CSS 734, Sear 6799
Jan de Veen Collection

Silver Denarius (19mm, 3.18gr) Struck 212 A.D. in Rome

Obv: ANTONINVS PIVS AVG BRIT Laureate head right

Rev: P M TR P XV COS III P P Salus seated left, holding cornucopiae and patera, feeding serpent coiled around altar.

RIC 196, RSC 206, CSS 1326, Sear 6826
Kevin Ingleston Collection

Silver Denarius (18mm, 3.09gr) Struck 213 A.D. in Rome

Obv: ANTONINVS PIVS AVG BRIT Laureate head right

Rev: P M TR P XVI COS IIII P P Hercules standing left, holding olive branch, club and lion's skin.

RIC 206a, RSC 220, CSS 1357, Sear 6828
Jan de Veen Collection

Silver Denarius (20mm, 2.94gr) Struck 211 A.D. in Rome

Obv: ANTONINVS PIVS AVG BRIT Laureate head right

Rev: INDVLG FECVNDAE Indulgentia, seated left on cuirule bench, raising hand and holding scepter.

RIC 214, RSC 104, CSS 1292, Sear 6805
Jan de Veen Collection

Silver Denarius (19mm, 3.31gr) Struck 213 A.D. in Rome

Obv: ANTONINVS PIVS AVG BRIT Laureate head right

Rev: MONETA AVG Moneta standing left, holding scales and cornucopiae.

RIC 224, RSC 165, CSS 1356, Sear 6821 var.
Jan de Veen Collection

Silver Denarius (19mm, 3.28gr) Struck 214 A.D. in Rome

Obv: ANTONINVS PIVS AVG GERM Laureate head right

Rev: P M TR P VII COS IIII P P Jupiter standing left, holding thunderbolt and long scepter, an eagle at his feet.

RIC 240, RSC 239, CSS 1402, Sear 6832
Jan de Veen Collection

Silver Denarius (19mm, 3.47gr) Struck 213 A.D. in Rome

Obv: ANTONINVS PIVS AVG BRIT Laureate head right

Rev: PROVIDENTIA DEORVM Providentia standing left holding rod and scepter, globe at feet.

RIC 277, RSC 529, CSS 1339, Sear 6879
Mark Lehman Collection


 The Sestertii
Orichalcum Sestertius (28mm, 17.72gr) Struck 213 A.D. in Rome

Obv: M AVREL ANTONINVS PIVS AVG GERM Laureate head right

Rev: PROVIDENTIA DEORVM, S C Providentia standing left holding rod and scepter, globe at feet.

RIC 511a, CSS 1343, Sear 6948, VM 123
Mark Lehman Collection

Orichalcum Sestertius (30mm, 18.13gr) Struck 215 A.D. in Rome

Obv: M AVR ANTONINVS PIVS AVG GERM Laureate and cuirassed bust right

Rev: P M TR P XVIII IMP III COS IIII P P, S C Aesculapius standing facing, head left, holding staff; Telesphorus to left, globe to right.

RIC 538b, CSS 1449 var., Sear 6933 var.
Mark Lehman Collection