Unusual Obverse Legend

211, Lot: 328. Estimate $150. Sold for $235. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

SYRIA, Cyrrhestica. Beroea. Caracalla. AD 198-217. AR Tetradrachm (27mm, 11.08 g, 6h). Struck AD 215-217. Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust left, seen from behind; retrograde legend starting at 4 o’clock / Eagle standing facing, head left, holding wreath in beak; between legs, B-E flanking winged animal. Bellinger 81 var. (non retrograde legend); Prieur 887 var. (same); ANS 1990.67.2 and 1995.110.6. VF, flan flaw on obverse. Very rare.

The obverse legend is highly unusual in that it runs counterclockwise. This is especially interesting in light of the competent engraving of the portrait. Perhaps the work was highly specialized, with one celator engraving the portrait and an assistant seeing to the lettering.