Sale: Nomos 10, Lot: 118. Estimate CHF750. Closing Date: Sunday, 17 May 2015. Sold For CHF5500. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee. |
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Caesarea, Cappadocia. Elagabalus, 218-222. Tetrassarion (Bronze, 35mm, 28.05 g 12), year 5 = 222. C C C Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust of Elagabalus to right.
Rev. C / / Apollo seated left on pile of boulders, holding branch in his right hand and resting his left on a globe; to left and right, elaborate ornamental column; above, Mt. Argaeus. Lindgren A1720A var. (
same reverse die but with a radiate bust of Elagabalus on the obverse). SNG Hunterian 2268 var. (
same reverse die but with busts of Elagabalus and Severus Alexander Caesar on the obverse). Very rare; an intriguing coin with an idealized portrait of Elagabalus and a golden brown patina with green highlights. Nearly extremely fine.
From a European collection.
It has been suggested that this rare and heavy coin formed part of a celebratory issue (with Julia Maesa and Severus Alexander) struck in honor of Alexander�s appointment as Caesar.