Anticipated Victory Over the Parthians

Sale: CNG 81, Lot: 1095. Estimate $1500.  Closing Date: Wednesday, 20 May 2009.  Sold For $2400. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

Caracalla. AD 198-217. AR Antoninianus (6.24 g, 1h). Rome mint. Struck AD 217. Radiate, draped, and cuirassed bust right, seen from behind / VICT PARTHICA, Victory seated right on arms, holding stylus and propping oval shield inscribed VO/XX on left knee; quiver and trumpet in exergue. RIC IV 314b var. (bust type); RSC 656c; cf. BMCRE 89 note. Superb EF. Exceptional. Very rare.

This coin was struck in anticipation a Roman victory over the Parthians coinciding with the beginning of Caracalla’s twentieth year as Augustus. Hoping to take advantage of a divided Parthian kingdom, in early AD 216 AD, Caracalla invaded, pushing the Parthians eastward. Caracalla then withdrew to winter in Edessa. Caracalla’s final victory, however, would never happen, for, while on a trip to Carrhae in the spring of AD 217, the emperor was assassinated by a member of his bodyguard.