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Roman Emp., Caracalla, Aureus 208

Currency:CHF Category:Coins & Paper Money / Coins: Ancient Start Price:14,400.00 CHF Estimated At:18,000.00 - 22,500.00 CHF
Roman Emp., Caracalla, Aureus 208
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The Roman Empire, Caracalla augustus, 198 – 211, Aureus 208, AV 7.36 g. ANTONINVS – PIVS AVG Laureate head r., with aegis. Rev. VOTA SO – LVT DEC Caracalla, veiled, standing r., sacrificing out of patera over tripod; in front, victimarius raising axe against bull; behind, flute player facing. In exergue, COS III. C 683 var. (no aegis). BMC 576 var. (no aegis). RIC 205 var. (no aegis). Calicó 2848 (this coin). An apparently unique variety of a very rare type. A superb and finely detailed portrait of fine style and an interesting reverse composition. Virtually as struck and almost Fdc Ex Lanz sale 62, 1992, 718. In 198 Caracalla had much to celebrate: he turned 20 and he celebrated his 10th anniversary (decennalia) as Augustus. However, during this decade as Augustus, Caracalla’s life had been anything but blissful. In 202 he was forced into a hateful marriage with Plautilla, daughter of his father’s scheming prefect Plautianus; he emerged from that debacle by arranging the murder of his father-in-law and the banishment of his wife. In the five years that had passed since this personal liberation, Caracalla’s rivalry with his younger brother Geta had intensified. Their parents Septimius Severus and personal liberation, Caracalla’s rivalry with his younger brother Geta had intensified. Their parents Septimius Severus and Julia Domna tried to dampen the hatred between the brothers, but nothing worked. About the time this aureus was struck the brothers were appointed co-consuls for the second time, but instead of benefiting from the chance to work together for the benefit of Rome, nothing was solved. Since none of these well-intended measures were effective, Septimius decided to remove them from their life of luxury in Rome by launching a campaign in Britain that would place his sons at his side in battle. (For a commemorative of this campaign, see the Caracalla as offered in this sale.) He must have believed that distance from the political intrigues of Rome, the exposure to frontier hardships and some combat experience might benefit his quarrelsome sons. However, Septimius perhaps overlooked the most obvious reason for the rivalry – their disproportionate rank. Though only 11 months older than Geta, Caracalla had already been his father’s co-emperor for a decade, whereas Geta had not been hailed Caesar until 198, and had remained at that subordinate rank ever since. One can imagine how an elaborate and beautiful coinage such as this, which shows priestly sacrifices in honour of his older brother’s tenth anniversary as Augustus, would only have salted the wound at the moment when their discord had become fully realised.