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Roman Empire. Elagabalus. Aureus 220-222, AV 6.36g.

Currency:CHF Category:Coins & Paper Money / Coins: Ancient Start Price:12,000.00 CHF Estimated At:15,000.00 CHF
Roman Empire. Elagabalus. Aureus 220-222, AV 6.36g.
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The Roman Empire. Elagabalus, 218–222. Aureus 220-222, AV 6.36g. IMP ANTONINVS PIVS AVG Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust r. Rev. CONSERVATOR AVG Slow quadriga l., on which is the Stone of Emesa surmounted by eagle; in upper l. field, star. C 18. BMC 197. RIC 61. Calicò 2988a. Very rare. An interesting and historically significant type. Minor edge marks, otherwise about extremely fine. Few emperors are known almost exclusively for their peculiarities and perversions, but on the short list of qualified applicants, Elagabalus rises to the top. The 19th Century antiquarian S.W. Stevenson, ever a delight for his artfully delivered comments, did not fail to deliver in his summary of Elagabalus whom he called: “…the most cruel and infamous wretch that ever disgraced humanity and polluted a throne…”. Elagabalus and his family had lived in Rome during the reign of Caracalla, who was rumored to have been Elagabalus’ natural father. When Caracalla was murdered, his prefect and successor, Macrinus, recalled the family to their homeland of Syria. Upon arriving, Elagabalus assumed his role as hereditary priest of the Emesan sun-god Heliogabalus. For the Roman soldiers in the vicinity, who engaged in the common practice of solar worship, and who had fond memories of the slain Caracalla, Elagabalus was an ideal candidate for emperor. He soon was hailed emperor against Macrinus, who was defeated in a pitched battle just outside Antioch. Conservative Rome was introduced to their new emperor’s eccentricities and religious fervor when they learned of his overland journey from Emesa to Rome, with a sacred meteorite in tow. The journey, which consumed a year or more, in this collection is depicted on two aurei, this piece from Rome and another from Antioch. Both show the sacred conical stone of Emesa–in all likelihood a meteorite–being transported in a chariot drawn by four horses. The stone usually is emblazoned with an eagle, which on the Rome piece is uncommonly bold.