160, Lot: 136. Estimate $75. Sold for $170. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

PONTUS, Trapezus. Caracalla. AD 198-217. Æ 27mm (11.05 g). Dated CY 153 (216/217). Laureate head right / TRAPZOYNTIWN, Mithras on horseback right, altar before; E PNG in exergue. RG -; BMC -; SNG Copenhagen -; SNG von Aulock -. Fine, dark greenish-brown patina.

From the Garth R. Drewry Collection.

An unusual coin that is a bit difficult to attribute properly. The bust is clearly that of an older Caracalla, not Elagabalus, but the date is difficult to read. The last letter of the date is on the edge of the flan and it looks like there is a lower crossbar to the last letter making the date 155. Year 155 would be AD 218/219 and thus a coin of Elagabalus. Based on the portrait, this cataloguer is assuming that the lower crossbar is just part of the edge of the coin and the date actually reads PNG.