Silver Denarius of Caracalla (about 1,810 years ago)
This silver denarius features Emperor Caracalla, born Lucius Septimius Bassianus and later renamed Marcus Aurelius Antoninus, who ruled the Roman Empire first jointly with his father Septimius Severus and brother Geta, then alone from 211 until his assassination in 217 CE. This high-grade example from the SPQR Collection showcases the coinage of a controversial emperor known for his brutal military campaigns and for granting Roman citizenship to all free men throughout the empire.
Coin Description:
Front side: The obverse displays the laureate (wreath-crowned) bust of Caracalla facing right, typically shown with a short beard, stern expression, and strong resemblance to his father. The surrounding Latin inscription would state his name and imperial titles.
Back side: Though not specified, the reverse would typically depict Roman deities (often Mars or Jupiter), personifications of virtues, military themes reflecting his campaigns, or other imperial propaganda imagery with accompanying Latin text.
Technical Details:
Silver composition (AR)
Denarius denomination (standard silver coin of the Roman monetary system)
Weight: Approximately 3-3.5 grams
Size: Approximately 18-20mm in diameter
NGC Grade: XF (Extremely Fine) - indicating excellent preservation with minor wear
Date of minting: 198-217 CE (spanning his time as Caesar and sole Augustus)
Collection: SPQR Collection
Historical Significance: This denarius was issued during a pivotal period in Roman history. Caracalla, named after a Gallic hooded cloak he favored wearing, became sole emperor after murdering his brother Geta in 211 CE. His reign was marked by military campaigns against Germanic tribes and Parthians, construction of the massive Baths of Caracalla in Rome (which could accommodate 1,600 bathers), and the issuance of the Constitutio Antoniniana in 212 CE, which extended Roman citizenship to nearly all free inhabitants of the empire. While presented as a generous act, this edict primarily aimed to increase tax revenue and potential military recruits. Caracalla also introduced a new coin, the antoninianus (double denarius), though it contained less than double the silver. He was assassinated in 217 CE while traveling to a temple near Carrhae (modern Harran, Turkey) by a disgruntled soldier, allegedly while relieving himself by the roadside. This exceptionally preserved denarius serves as a tangible link to an emperor whose actions fundamentally altered the concept of Roman citizenship and whose massive bath complex remains an impressive ruin in Rome today.
This silver denarius features Emperor Caracalla, born Lucius Septimius Bassianus and later renamed Marcus Aurelius Antoninus, who ruled the Roman Empire first jointly with his father Septimius Severus and brother Geta, then alone from 211 until his assassination in 217 CE. This high-grade example from the SPQR Collection showcases the coinage of a controversial emperor known for his brutal military campaigns and for granting Roman citizenship to all free men throughout the empire.
Coin Description:
Front side: The obverse displays the laureate (wreath-crowned) bust of Caracalla facing right, typically shown with a short beard, stern expression, and strong resemblance to his father. The surrounding Latin inscription would state his name and imperial titles.
Back side: Though not specified, the reverse would typically depict Roman deities (often Mars or Jupiter), personifications of virtues, military themes reflecting his campaigns, or other imperial propaganda imagery with accompanying Latin text.
Technical Details:
Silver composition (AR)
Denarius denomination (standard silver coin of the Roman monetary system)
Weight: Approximately 3-3.5 grams
Size: Approximately 18-20mm in diameter
NGC Grade: XF (Extremely Fine) - indicating excellent preservation with minor wear
Date of minting: 198-217 CE (spanning his time as Caesar and sole Augustus)
Collection: SPQR Collection
Historical Significance: This denarius was issued during a pivotal period in Roman history. Caracalla, named after a Gallic hooded cloak he favored wearing, became sole emperor after murdering his brother Geta in 211 CE. His reign was marked by military campaigns against Germanic tribes and Parthians, construction of the massive Baths of Caracalla in Rome (which could accommodate 1,600 bathers), and the issuance of the Constitutio Antoniniana in 212 CE, which extended Roman citizenship to nearly all free inhabitants of the empire. While presented as a generous act, this edict primarily aimed to increase tax revenue and potential military recruits. Caracalla also introduced a new coin, the antoninianus (double denarius), though it contained less than double the silver. He was assassinated in 217 CE while traveling to a temple near Carrhae (modern Harran, Turkey) by a disgruntled soldier, allegedly while relieving himself by the roadside. This exceptionally preserved denarius serves as a tangible link to an emperor whose actions fundamentally altered the concept of Roman citizenship and whose massive bath complex remains an impressive ruin in Rome today.
This silver denarius features Emperor Caracalla, born Lucius Septimius Bassianus and later renamed Marcus Aurelius Antoninus, who ruled the Roman Empire first jointly with his father Septimius Severus and brother Geta, then alone from 211 until his assassination in 217 CE. This high-grade example from the SPQR Collection showcases the coinage of a controversial emperor known for his brutal military campaigns and for granting Roman citizenship to all free men throughout the empire.
Coin Description:
Front side: The obverse displays the laureate (wreath-crowned) bust of Caracalla facing right, typically shown with a short beard, stern expression, and strong resemblance to his father. The surrounding Latin inscription would state his name and imperial titles.
Back side: Though not specified, the reverse would typically depict Roman deities (often Mars or Jupiter), personifications of virtues, military themes reflecting his campaigns, or other imperial propaganda imagery with accompanying Latin text.
Technical Details:
Silver composition (AR)
Denarius denomination (standard silver coin of the Roman monetary system)
Weight: Approximately 3-3.5 grams
Size: Approximately 18-20mm in diameter
NGC Grade: XF (Extremely Fine) - indicating excellent preservation with minor wear
Date of minting: 198-217 CE (spanning his time as Caesar and sole Augustus)
Collection: SPQR Collection
Historical Significance: This denarius was issued during a pivotal period in Roman history. Caracalla, named after a Gallic hooded cloak he favored wearing, became sole emperor after murdering his brother Geta in 211 CE. His reign was marked by military campaigns against Germanic tribes and Parthians, construction of the massive Baths of Caracalla in Rome (which could accommodate 1,600 bathers), and the issuance of the Constitutio Antoniniana in 212 CE, which extended Roman citizenship to nearly all free inhabitants of the empire. While presented as a generous act, this edict primarily aimed to increase tax revenue and potential military recruits. Caracalla also introduced a new coin, the antoninianus (double denarius), though it contained less than double the silver. He was assassinated in 217 CE while traveling to a temple near Carrhae (modern Harran, Turkey) by a disgruntled soldier, allegedly while relieving himself by the roadside. This exceptionally preserved denarius serves as a tangible link to an emperor whose actions fundamentally altered the concept of Roman citizenship and whose massive bath complex remains an impressive ruin in Rome today.
