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Roman Empire. Caracalla. Medallion 211-217, Æ 46.14g.

Currency:CHF Category:Coins & Paper Money / Coins: Ancient Start Price:14,400.00 CHF Estimated At:18,000.00 CHF
Roman Empire. Caracalla. Medallion 211-217, Æ 46.14g.
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The Roman Empire. Caracalla augustus, 198–217. Medallion, Pergamum Mysiae 211-217, Æ 46.14g. AVT KPATK MAPKOC AVP ANTWNEINOC Laureate and cuirassed bust r., breast plate decorated with gorgoneion. Rev. EPICTP M KAIPEL ATTALOV PERGAMH / NWN / PRWTWN G NE /W KORWN Caracalla, togate, holding patera and roll, standing r. before temple within which is Ascelpios; between temple and Caracalla, youth standing l. and striking bull tied by the nose to a ring. Von Fritze Pergamon pl. VIII, 8. BMC 324 and pl. 31, 5. SNG France 2230 (these dies). Rare. An impressive medallion with an interesting reverse composition, reddish brown patina somewhat smoothed, otherwise about extremely fine. When an emperor, his entourage and his army travelled to the provinces it caused dual reactions: excitement about the prospect of his visit, and concern for how all of the ceremonial and practical issues would be handled. The coinage issued at Pergamum for Caracalla's visit in 214 offers an ideal reflection of how, under the best of circumstances, an imperial visit was received. The coinage series includes numerous medallion types, signed by three magistrates, Ioulios Anthimos, M. Aurelious Alexander and M. Kairellious Attalos. The inscription on this piece not only records the names of the magistrate and the city, but it also states Pergamum's claim of being the “first city” of Asia, and boasts of its being thrice neocorate, or the keeper of three temples. There can be little doubt that Attalos was among the main group of representatives who received Caracalla and saw to his comfort and entertainment. The series is, in a sense, a documentation of the events in which Caracalla participated, ranging from his entry into the city, his visits to temples, his attendance of games held in his honour, and especially his sacrifices to Aesculapius, the god of medicine and the patron of the city. In this case we see Caracalla standing before the Temple of Aesculapius, pouring a libation over the head of a bull about to be sacrificed by a priest who raises his axe. A similar scene is presented on aurei struck in 215 at the Rome mint. The emperor's visit to Pergamum was no mere coincidence. In the final stage of his life, just as he prepared an invasion of Parthia, Caracalla's health was in decline, and it was important that he visit the Pergamene Temple of Aesculapius, one of the great healing shrines of the Greek world.