Rare Dedication Issue

Sale: CNG 81, Lot: 792. Estimate $4000.  Closing Date: Wednesday, 20 May 2009.  Sold For $28500. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

PHRYGIA, Laodicea ad Lycum. Caracalla. AD 198-217. Æ Medallion - 42mm (49.16 g, 6h). L. Aelius Pigres, Asiarch γ´. Struck AD 214-217. Laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust right / Λ AIΛ ΠIΓPHC ACIAPX Γ ANEΘHKEN, • ΛAOΔIKЄΩN/NЄΩKOPΩN in exergue, emperor standing right on steps of distyle temple, holding wreath in right hand; on either side, pair of togate figures raising hand in acclamation; behind, troops standing, holding shields and spears; all within precinct enclosure, seen from aerial perspective; enclosure entrance composed of six columns; figure of Hygieia, holding serpent, standing in outer intercolumnations; uncertain figures (Pigres and spouse?) standing facing in central intercolumnation. Von Aulock, Phrygiens -; SNG München -; SNG Leypold -; SNG von Aulock -; BMC 227 (same rev. die); Friedlaender and von Sallet 876; SGI 2592 (same dies). VF, brown surfaces. An attractive architectural type and extremely rare.

This medallion commemorates an otherwise unknown address of the emperor Caracalla to the leading citizens of Laodicea during that emperor’s advance across Asia Minor to meet the Persians. This issue appears to have been struck as a personal dedication of the Asiarch, as evidenced by the the reverse legend.