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 Replies: 11 / Views: 830 |
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Valued Member
United States
91 Posts |
I will start by saying, if this thread due to the high controversy of the leader is too crass, I understand if it is locked. This Emperor was a very nasty / perverted one. I still couldn't shy away from a coin of his.   Emperor Elagabalus, also known as Sextus Varius Avitus Bassianus, was a Roman emperor who reigned from 218 to 222 AD. He was born around 203 AD and is known for his controversial and eccentric reign. Elagabalus was a member of the Severan dynasty and rose to power at a young age, becoming emperor at approximately 14 years old. He is most famous for his religious reforms, notably promoting the worship of the deity El-Gabal (a Syrian sun god) over traditional Roman gods. His devotion to this deity and his efforts to elevate its prominence caused significant controversy and unrest. Elagabalus was also known for his extravagant and unconventional behavior, including acts of excess, scandalous personal conduct, and attempts to challenge social norms. His reign was marked by political instability, and he faced opposition from the Roman Senate and military. He was eventually assassinated in 222 AD, and his death marked the end of his brief and tumultuous rule. Despite his controversial reputation, Elagabalus remains a notable figure in Roman history for his religious innovations and the dramatic nature of his reign. Mint State ExampleEdited by newtraffic2
12/05/2025 2:21 pm
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Bedrock of the Community
 United States
24892 Posts |
Very nice coin, newtraffic! Thank you for the information, as I was not familiar with this emperor. Quote:
if this thread due to the high controversy of the leader is too crass, I understand if it is locked It's just a coin - a piece of history. All you are doing is documenting numismatic history. I have coins from Germany with that crooked cross thing on them, some from South Africa during the times of apartheid, others from USSR during Stalin's reign, etc. Owning them is in no way a sign that I approve of any aspects their brutality. Inordinately fascinated by bits of metal with strange markings and figures
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Moderator
Australia
16806 Posts |
Quote:
if this thread due to the high controversy of the leader is too crass, I understand if it is locked. This Emperor was a very nasty / perverted one. As a general rule, discussion of ancient or historical figures is allowed on this forum, even for those whose behaviour and reputation is sinister or perverse by modern standards. So long as people don't go into unnecessarily lurid details about their behaviour such as to make the post not-family-friendly, or go off on unrelated and unnecessary tangents comparing depraved ancient rulers to certain modern ones, such discussion is encouraged. Trivia time: there were three ancient Roman emperors named "Antoninus Pius": the first one, and two later emperors who chose to rename themselves after that revered first precursor. Those two later emperors with that name were both "bad emperors", and therefore subsequent historians believed that using the name "Antoninus Pius" for those two later emperors would tarnish and diminish the name of the first, and so pseudonyms were used for them instead. Thus, the emperor who would otherwise have been known as "Antoninus Pius II" instead became known as "Caracalla", and "Antoninus Pius III" became "Elagabalus". This is of course why this coin does not actually bear the name "Elagabalus" on it; it wasn't his real or proper name. However, there are some coins of Elagabalus that mention the god Elagabal on the reverse; such coins often command a premium above equally common coins that do not bear that name, as they are the only way to get the name "Elagabalus" on a coin. Don't say "infinitely" when you mean "very"; otherwise, you'll have no word left when you want to talk about something really infinite. - C. S. Lewis
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1862 Posts |
nice coin---has anyone ever bought coins from " Coin Archives " thanks for any info--
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Moderator
United States
187565 Posts |
I believe Sap covered it well, so the only thing I can add is that this is a very nice example and thank you for sharing it with us!  |
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Pillar of the Community
United Kingdom
2099 Posts |
Here is one of my examples. Elagabalus Denarius Obv:- IMP ANTONINVS PIVS AVG, laureate, horned, draped and cuirassed bust right Rev:- INVICTVS SACERDOS AVG, Elagabalus standing holding patera over an altar and branch. Star in right field. Horn on ground to his left Minted in Rome. A.D. 222 Reference- BMC 209 note. RIC 87 (where it is rated Common citing Cohen). RSC III 58. Cohen 58 (illustrated with star in right field) valued at 50 Fr. No examples in RD. ex Numismatica Ars Classica NAC AG Sale 42, Lot 379, 20th November 2007, ex Barry Feirstein Collection, previously privately purchased from Harlan J. Berk. Described as Lightly toned and good extremely fine by NAC. 21 mm. 3.11 gms. 0 degrees.  |
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Moderator
United States
187565 Posts |
Quote:
Here is one of my examples. Excellent! |
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Pillar of the Community
 Canada
1759 Posts |
@maridvnvm:  An impressive coin and thanks for your informative description. Edited by Sharks
12/05/2025 4:11 pm
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Moderator
Australia
16806 Posts |
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has anyone ever bought coins from " Coin Archives " thanks for any info CoinArchives isn't a coin seller - it's a coin auction sales database, compiling sales of coins from multiple auctions. It's not like ebay, as you cannot bid on items directly through CoinArchives, you have to redirect yourself to the actual auction house's sale listing. The free publicly viewable database only lists upcoming auctions and sale results for auctions within the last six months. For full access to the database of prices realised for coin auctions going back 20+ years, you need to buy "Pro" access, which isn't cheap (some US$600 per year). All of the auction houses listed on CoinArchives will be large international coin auction houses. They're about as safe as you can get, in terms of authenticity and trustworthiness. Don't say "infinitely" when you mean "very"; otherwise, you'll have no word left when you want to talk about something really infinite. - C. S. Lewis
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Pillar of the Community
United States
7933 Posts |
Quote:CoinArchives isn't a coin seller - it's a coin auction sales database, compiling sales of coins from multiple auctions. It's not like ebay, as you cannot bid on items directly through CoinArchives Possibly the poster meant Numisbids, which appears to be a sister-platform to CoinArchives. There it is possible to place pre-bids on items from some auction houses, though if you want to engage in live online bidding you need to go to the actual seller's site, and if you win an item with a bid placed on Numisbids, your transaction is then completed with the actual auction house (it can get confusing). |
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Pillar of the Community
United Kingdom
2099 Posts |
A couple more..... I did have a fondness for these types and varieties.... Obv:- IMP ANTONINVS PIVS AVG, laureate draped and cuirassed bust right Rev:- INVICTVS SACERDOS AVG, Elagabalus standing holding a patera over an altar and a club. Star in left field. Bull behind the altar Minted in Rome. A.D. 220-222 Reference- BMC 209-210. RIC 88. RSC III 61b  Obv:- IMP ANTONINVS PIVS AVG, laureate, horned, draped and cuirassed bust right Rev:- INVICTVS SACERDOS AVG, Elagabalus standing holding a patera over an altar and a club. Star in left field. Bull behind the altar Minted in Rome. A.D. 220-222 Reference- BMC 209-210. RIC 88. RSC III 61  |
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Moderator
United States
187565 Posts |
Quote:
A couple more..... I did have a fondness for these types and varieties.... Excellent! |
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Replies: 11 / Views: 830 |
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Posted 12/05/2025 12:33 am
