Cappadocia, Caesarea-Eusebia, Caracalla, Caesar, AR Drachm, RY 5 = 196/7 AD – Mt. Argaeus

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Description

Roman Provincial, Cappadocia, Caesarea-Eusebia, Caracalla, Caesar, 196-198 AD, AR Drachm (silver, 2.94g, 17.1mm), 196-198 AD
Obv: MAP AYPH ANTĪ© KAI; bareheaded, draped, and cuirassed bust right
Rev: MHTPOĪ  KAICAP ; Mt. Argaeus surmounted by star; crescent to left; Š„T Š„ (date) in exergue
Ref: SNG Copenhagen 269; Sydenham 467 Rarity/Choice: Common; VF (slightly off-centered, toned)
Note: Caracalla, originally named Lucius Septimius Bassianus, was the son of Emperor Septimius Severus and Julia Domna. He was given the name Marcus Aurelius Antoninus upon becoming Caesar, a title he held from AD 196 until he became co-emperor with his father in AD 198. Caracalla’s rule was marked by significant military campaigns and administrative reforms, including the notable Constitutio Antoniniana in AD 212, which extended Roman citizenship to all free inhabitants of the empire. This coin was minted in Caesarea-Eusebia, the capital of Cappadocia, during Caracalla’s tenure as Caesar under his father, Septimius Severus. The period saw Severus consolidating his power and focusing on military campaigns, with Cappadocia playing a crucial role as a strategic province in eastern Anatolia. The Drachm of Caracalla from Cappadocia offers valuable insights into the political and cultural landscape of the Roman Empire during the late 2nd century AD. The obverse, featuring Caracalla’s bareheaded, draped, and cuirassed bust, emphasizes his status as Caesar and military leader. The reverse, depicting Mt. Argaeus with a star and crescent, highlights the local significance of the mountain and its divine associations. This coin exemplifies the Roman strategy of unifying diverse regions under a common imperial identity while respecting and incorporating local symbols and traditions.

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