140, Lot: 112. Estimate $200. Sold for $311. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

IONIA, Smyrna. Caracalla. AD 198-217. Æ 34mm (21.13 g). Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust right / Three tetrastyle temples, each with a peaked roof with a wreath on top: the first with a statue of Hadrian within; the second with a statue of Roma seated left within; the third with a statue of Tiberius within. Klose 24 (V4/R24); SNG Copenhagen 1389 (same dies). Near VF, dark gray patina with some earthen highlights.

During the imperial period a city could assume the title ‘Neokoros’ if it built a temple, especially one devoted to the cult of the emperor. The building of the temple required the approval of the emperor and the Senate. This temple, with its associated cult, title, and festival (as well as the commerce these generated) brought prestige to the city which had one, so competition was fierce. Smyrna was awarded the honor three times, as were Ephesos and Pergamum. These cities assumed the additional title of PRWTH ASIAS, reflecting their status as the most important cities in Asia. Smyrna was recognized first by Tiberius, second by Hadrian, and finally by Caracalla. This coin shows the temples of Tiberius and Hadrian with the cult statue of each within. However the third (and central) temple has a statue of Roma instead of Caracalla. The reason for this is that a new temple was not built for Caracalla; instead the existing temple of Roma was rededicated to his cult.

This coin can be dated from AD 212 to 217 AD. The reason for this is that no coins of Geta from Smyrna reflect the honor, so it must have been struck after his murder.