Caracalla Denarius With A Neat Reverse.

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Author	Replies: 9 / Views: 961
Palouche Pillar of the Community Spain 2752 Posts	Posted 04/23/2022 08:32 am Just added this neat looking Denarius of Caracalla to my collection and thought I'd share it here... Imo it has a really nice portrait but what actually drew me to this coin was its reverse... Caracalla. 198-217 AD. AR Denarius (3.50 gm, 20mm). Rome mint. Struck 207 AD. Obv.: ANTONINVS PIVS AVG, laureate head right. Rev.: PONTIF TRP X COS II, Caracalla standing facing, head right, holding reversed spear (The symbolism of the inverted spear is interesting meaning that the bearer has come to negotiate, prevent a fight or seek peace. Or that peace has been achieved.)...and parazonium;(A triangular shaped dagger usually sheathed symbolising virtue, or rather of valor.) at feet to left, river god reclining on urn right; to right, two bound captives seated left. River gods Euphraat & Tigris seated far left and right with Armenia seated at the Emperor's feet (right). River gods Tyne & Eden seated far left and right with Britannia seatedcat the Emperors feet (right) "Take your pick!". RIC 96; RSC 441. Nice VF. 1stIn relation to the seated figures as described above, being the most common description I see, there seems to be some controversy about who is being portrayed? Rivergods / captives in varying quantities!?... One interesting theory is that the two river gods left/right of the Emperor actually represent the rivers Eden and Tyne which Hadrians wall follows and the closest seated figure is in fact female and represents Brittania 2nd* On more detailed specimens it is clear that the outer figures left and right are not captives but are holding river reeds. 3rd*.I think this is now the standard description following Trajans identical reverse on his Sestertius minted in 116AD Ric# 642.. Here's an interesting link related to the reverse.. https://collectingancientcoins.co.u...r-god-types/ I do find the proposed timeline of Nicholas reed placing Caracalla in Britain in 207 , at least mid to late, interesting as there seems to be no fixed data as to his whereabouts at this time... Here's a more detailed photo of the op coin taken from the link which clearly shows these figures are not captives.. I guess I'll write in both reverse options on my data base just in case.. Any thoughts/ alternative Ideas appreciated.. Paul Report this Post to the Staff

Spence Moderator United States 34395 Posts	Posted 04/23/2022 09:06 am That is fascinating Paul. Knowing what to look for, the reed being held by the left hand river god is visible on your coin too. Sorry that I can't shed any more light on the river god vs. captive controversy. I'm interested to see what others think. "If you climb a good tree, you get a push." -----Ghanaian proverb "The danger we all now face is distinguishing between what is authentic and what is performed." -----King Adz Report this Post to the Staff
Kamnaskires Pillar of the Community United States 7066 Posts	Posted 04/23/2022 09:14 am Congrats on the pickup, Paul. Interesting coin. Nice to know it's not just eastern series (like my Elymaeans) with indeterminate iconography. As for yours, I'm just gonna cover the bases and call them all captive river gods. Report this Post to the Staff
Kushanshah Pillar of the Community United States 1554 Posts	Posted 04/23/2022 12:41 pm On both examples, the lone seated figure seems to have a beard, which would argue against Britannia. Report this Post to the Staff
Palouche Pillar of the Community Spain 2752 Posts	Posted 04/23/2022 12:53 pm Thanks for your input guys... Quote: I'm just gonna cover the bases and call them all captive river gods. ......Good call Bob. @Ks...Not sure which figure you're indicating? Report this Post to the Staff
Kushanshah Pillar of the Community United States 1554 Posts	Posted 04/23/2022 4:26 pm @Palouche The lone figure at left. Report this Post to the Staff
Palouche Pillar of the Community Spain 2752 Posts	Posted 04/23/2022 4:35 pm Yes the left hand figure has always been depicted as a river god.....The furthest right hand figure has the same attributes and is another river god....It's the figure I highlighted with a question mark that could be feminine and possibly Britannia or Armenia.. Report this Post to the Staff
Kushanshah Pillar of the Community United States 1554 Posts	Posted 04/23/2022 8:03 pm OK, I see. I misread your original description. Report this Post to the Staff
Novicius Pillar of the Community United Kingdom 1168 Posts	Posted 04/24/2022 1:25 pm You have been picking up some really nice coins lately, Paul, and the Denarius of Caracalla is no exception. A nicely detailed coin with more than a touch of mystery, just as I like them. As far as the reverse imagery goes, it would be nice to think that, "River gods Tyne & Eden seated far left and right with Britannia seated at the Emperors feet (right).", was correct, with Caracalla being associated with Britain around that time. Anyway, another super addition to the collection. Report this Post to the Staff
Palouche Pillar of the Community Spain 2752 Posts	Posted 04/24/2022 5:08 pm Thanks Jim.. Quote: As far as the reverse imagery goes, it would be nice to think that, "River gods Tyne & Eden seated far left and right with Britannia seated at the Emperors feet (right).", was correct, with Caracalla being associated with Britain around that time. ...Certainly would! But I think until some indisputable evidence that Caracalla was in Britain at that time surfaces we'll have to stick with the Armenia id. I do wish that these sellers would stop copying and pasting the same old description.. Laureate head right, Caracalla standing left with spear and parazonium; two bound captives right, river god left., ANTONINVS PIVS AVG, PONTIF TR P X COS II ....As it is obviously not correct. Report this Post to the Staff
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