This silver coin was minted in Rome during the brief but controversial reign of Emperor Elagabalus, a teenage ruler who scandalized Roman society with his religious practices and alleged eccentric behavior. The denarius remained the standard silver coin of the Roman Empire, though by this period it had been significantly debased from its original silver content.
Coin Description:
Front side: Laureate bust of Elagabalus facing right with the Latin inscription "IMP ANTONINVS PIVS AVG" (Emperor Antoninus Pius Augustus - his official imperial name)
Back side: Sol (sun god) standing left, naked except for a cloak over shoulder, raising right hand and holding whip, with a star in the field; inscription "P M TR P III COS III P P" (Pontifex Maximus, Tribunician Power 3 times, Consul 3 times, Father of the Country)
Technical Details:
Silver composition (likely debased with copper), weighing 3.48 grams
Denarius denomination (standard Roman silver coin)
Reference: RIC-28b
No certification mentioned
Date: 220 CE
Condition: Not specified
Historical Significance:
Elagabalus (also known as Heliogabalus) ruled Rome from 218-222 CE and was notorious for his devotion to the eastern sun god Elagabal. This coin prominently features Sol, reflecting the emperor's religious focus. The young ruler's short reign ended in assassination at age 18, orchestrated by his own family. This coin represents a period of mounting crisis in the Roman Empire that would eventually lead to the tumultuous "Crisis of the Third Century."
This silver coin was minted in Rome during the brief but controversial reign of Emperor Elagabalus, a teenage ruler who scandalized Roman society with his religious practices and alleged eccentric behavior. The denarius remained the standard silver coin of the Roman Empire, though by this period it had been significantly debased from its original silver content.
Coin Description:
Front side: Laureate bust of Elagabalus facing right with the Latin inscription "IMP ANTONINVS PIVS AVG" (Emperor Antoninus Pius Augustus - his official imperial name)
Back side: Sol (sun god) standing left, naked except for a cloak over shoulder, raising right hand and holding whip, with a star in the field; inscription "P M TR P III COS III P P" (Pontifex Maximus, Tribunician Power 3 times, Consul 3 times, Father of the Country)
Technical Details:
Silver composition (likely debased with copper), weighing 3.48 grams
Denarius denomination (standard Roman silver coin)
Reference: RIC-28b
No certification mentioned
Date: 220 CE
Condition: Not specified
Historical Significance:
Elagabalus (also known as Heliogabalus) ruled Rome from 218-222 CE and was notorious for his devotion to the eastern sun god Elagabal. This coin prominently features Sol, reflecting the emperor's religious focus. The young ruler's short reign ended in assassination at age 18, orchestrated by his own family. This coin represents a period of mounting crisis in the Roman Empire that would eventually lead to the tumultuous "Crisis of the Third Century."
