Important Decapolis Architectural Type: Temple at Abila

Triton XVII, Lot: 763. Estimate $3000. Sold for $5500. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

Elagabalus. AD 218-222. Æ (31mm, 22.83 g, 6h). Abila mint. Dated CY 282 (AD 218/9). A • K • M • ANT ωNIN[...] (retrograde), radiate, draped, and cuirassed bust left, raising right hand / • IЄ ACV CЄ ABIΛH NωN K • C, lit altar within hexastyle temple with central arch, pediment surmounted by figure of Nike holding wreath, and two flanking towers with arched doors and windows; BΠ C (date) above pediment. Cf. Spijkerman 22 (raised right hand not noted but faint traces visible on illustration, date tentatively read as AΠC); cf. Rosenberger 20 (for a poorly preserved specimen ascribed to Geta, but possibly of the same type); Sofaer –; SNG ANS –; Shoshana –. EF, hard green-brown patina, earthen highlights. Well struck on a full flan. Very rare with this bust type and exceptional for issue.