Syria, Seleucis and Pieria, Elagabalus, BI Tetradrachm, Antioch Mint, 219 AD – Eagle

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Description

Roman Provincial, Syria, Seleucis and Pieria, Elagabalus, 218-222 AD, BI Tetradrachm (billon, 14g, 24.3mm), Antioch Mint, 219 AD
Obv:Ā  AYT Īš Īœ Ī‘ā€¢ā€¢ā€¢Ī‘ĪĪ¤Ń ĪŠ„Ī™ĪĪŸC CŠ„Ī’, Laureate head of Elagabalus to right, with slight drapery on his left shoulder
Rev: Ī”HMAPĪ§ Š„Īž YĪ ATOC TO B; Eagle with spread wings standing facing, head to left and holding wreath in beak; star between the eagle’s legs, Ī” – Š„Ā  across field
Ref:Ā  McAlee 758; Prieur 249 Rarity/Choice: Common, EF (expressive portrait)
Note: Elagabalus, also known as Heliogabalus, was a Roman Emperor who ruled from AD 218 to 222. His reign was characterized by controversy and instability due to his unconventional behavior and religious practices. Elagabalus attempted to elevate the Syrian sun god, Elagabal, to the position of the supreme deity of the Roman pantheon, which led to opposition from traditional Roman religious authorities. The obverse, featuring the laureate head of Elagabalus, emphasizes his imperial status and authority. The reverse imagery of the eagle with a wreath underscores themes of victory and divine favor, essential for legitimizing Elagabalus’s rule and religious reforms. The inclusion of Elagabalus’s titles as high priest and consul on the reverse further emphasizes his religious and political authority. The star between the eagle’s legs may symbolize celestial favor or divine endorsement of Elagabalus’s reign and religious practices. This particular coin, minted in Antioch in AD 219, belongs to the ‘Carrhae issues’, named after the city where the Roman Emperor Caracalla was assassinated in AD 217. These coins were part of a series minted in various eastern cities to commemorate Elagabalus’s reign.

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