The Second Known

CNG 85, Lot: 947. Estimate $500. Sold for $2200. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

Caracalla. AD 198-217. AR Denarius (19mm, 4.14 g, 6h). Rome mint. Struck circa AD 206-207. Laureate head right / VICTORIAE AVGVST, Victory seated right, holding parazonium and resting hand on shield set on altar to right. RIC IV 171 = BMCRE p. 261, g = Cohen 626; RSC 626. VF, light porosity. Extremely rare, perhaps the second known.

BMCRE lists this type as having an “unusual character”, and notes only one example of this type, in the Imhoof-Blumer collection, which Pink considered doubtful. As no illustration of that piece is published, its character cannot be assessed. The present piece, however, is clearly genuine, and confirms the existence of the type. Curtis Clay notes that there is non-literary evidence of an eastern expedition to be led by Caracalla circa AD 206-207, although it is uncertain if this was a planned event or actually carried out. Clearly, the unbearded portrait places this victory issue too early for the British campaign, and too late for the eastern wars conducted before AD 200. As such, this issue probably is another non-literary piece of evidence attesting to the existence of another eastern campaign in the early 200s.