Elagabalus. AD 218-222. AR Denarius (20mm, 2.99 g, 12h). Rome mint. Struck AD 221. IMP ANTONINVS PIVS, laureate and draped bust right, wearing horn / P M TR P IIII COS III P P, Elagabalus standing left, holding patera in right hand over lighted altar and cradling cypress branch in left arm; star in left field. RIC IV 46; Thirion 181; BMCRE 256; RSC 196. EF, lightly toned. Impressively sharp strike.
The object in Elagabalus’ right hand is alternately described as a club or a cypress tree. The exceptional strike on the present example makes it clear that the emperor is in fact holding the latter.
