Sale: Triton VII, Lot: 802. Estimate $5000.  Closing Date: Monday, 12 January 2004.  Sold For $4000. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

CILICIA, Tarsus. Caracalla. 198-217 AD. Æ 35mm (24.67 gm). AVT KAI M AVP CEVHPOC ANTWNEINOC CEB PP, bust left, clad in the crown and robes of the demiourgos priest; star below / ANTWNEINIANHC CEUHR ADRIANH TAPCOV MHT AMK GB, elephant walking right, carrying two sacks upon its back marked XP. Cf. SNG Levante 1047-1048; cf. SNG France 1541; cf. BMC Lycaonia pg. 198, 196; cf. SNG Copenhagen 364; SNG von Aulock -; cf. McClean 9116 (same obverse die). Good VF, brown and tan patina. Rare and important; the finest known example of this type. [See color enlargement on plate 12] ($5000)

The elephant bronzes of Caracalla form a remarkable series of complex types and symbolism relating to the emperor's journey through the eastern provinces in 214/15 AD. Caracalla is portrayed in imperial dress or else in the garb of the chief priest. The elephant bears a variety of gifts and offerings--the kiliarch crown, symbolizing the role of Tarsus as chief city of Cilicia; three palms (probably representing the three districts comprising Cilicia); two sacks containing offerings or money (on the present well-preserved coin the markings on the sacks can just be made out--XP for crisma (sacrificial oil) or crhmata (money)); or in the case of McClean 9116, all three items plus a fourth object that may be an imperial eagle. One can imagine a grand procession entering the city, led by a parade of elephants bearing the symbols of imperial might, provincial wealth, civic pride, and sacred piety.