The Serdica mint issued a variety of large bronzes for Caracalla that have an almost medallic quality to them. They are quite large (this one at 31mm, 16g), quite round, engraved with the highest artistry, and struck very solidly. It would appear that the Apollo reverses are rare - Varbonov rates this coin an R5, estimating 100-200 known. This coin is a die match to the Varbanov plate coin... I haven't discovered another example of this type on the web, although CNG 70 Lot 3 comes close. However, it's clear that Apollo is holding a different sort of branch altogether on that coin, and it should be considered a different type. (The CNG attribution is incorrect.) I liked this coin, not only for its rarity and style, but the surfaces don't look like they've been altered. They're just slightly rough enough to appear original. Of the few of these various types that can be found, some have been smoothed. CNG even says so - see a page here. At any rate, I won this coin at an auction wherein the bidders were mostly preoccupied with common Greek silver (beautiful to be sure, but common). So I was pleasantly surprised to have no competition.
Mother approves. My Caracalla has a fancier pose with snake. All these are after the death of Septimius. Younger ones seem harder to find. In researching this one I ran across the following coin sold by an auction house I know some of you favor with your cash. Do you see a problem here? http://www.acsearch.info/search.html?id=1844842
Sweet Op example, JA ... but I have enough Caracalla winners, so I probably won't be bidding on that cool dawg
Well, it clearly says Geta. A good reminder for us to read the coins in addition to the auction descriptions.
Unsold. Perhaps someone would have picked it up had it been attributed correctly. https://www.sixbid.com/browse.html?auction=1138&category=24296&lot=1062469 You would think the consignor would have pointed out the error. I suppose it's possible they were no longer around.
My best cherry picks come from misattributed lots. I wish the auction houses would do this more often!
