I recently added a new tetradrachm of Caracalla from the last Leu auction. I thought it was a great portrait of the young emperor in his usual angry, nasty state. Caracalla, Seleucis and Pieria. Antioch, BI Tetradrachm (27 mm, 12.00g), 215-217 AD. AYT K M A ANTΩNЄINOC [CЄB] Laureate head of Caracalla to right. Rev. ΔHMAPX ЄΞ YΠATOC [T]O Δ Eagle with spread wings standing facing, head to right and holding wreath in beak; between the eagle's legs, star above cornucopiae. McAlee 693. Prieur 244. I really enjoy the portraiture on Caracalla’s provincial tets, they tend to exaggerate his image as a cruel soldier-emperor who was not to be crossed. I added 2 of his tets from Phoenicia last year, which I’ve posted a few times, and I’ve decided to slowly but surely put together a subcollection of his provincial tets with as many mints and portrait styles as I can. It’s a work in progress, I’m just planning to continue to add examples that I like when they come up at the right price. Next on my list is a tet from one of the Beroea mints, some real beauties from there. It’s definitely way too early to call this a subcollection, but here’s my “Murderers’ Row” of Caracalla tets for now. Please share your favorite coins of Caracalla (provincial or imperial).
Neat looking (if frowny) coins. This denarius might be the only Caracalla I've owned, from my old 2007-08 collection. All I have of it is this small, wretched picture.
Here's a youthful portrait, from Antioch, purchased earlier this year. And a later portrait, from Emesa, Seleucis and Pieria, furrowed brow, pout and all (Roma purchase).
I really enjoy the expressive, hatefull look of Caracalla on your coins. It's quite natural, unlike some other emperors having 'retouched' their portrait for their coins. No tet, but an ant. Not a very aggressive looking portrait though.
Shea19, Congrats on a great score ! I love the expression on Caracalla's face, he looks like someone pissed in his wine . That's an unusual mintmark on your coin too . I'll bet those 3 Tets feel good in your hand, don't they ? The Phoenician Tet on the left side has a stunning portrait . Below are a few portrait Tets of Caracalla from my collection.
It would be tempting to try for a set from the several mints used for these. I have very few. Beroea left Antioch (eagle on leg of meat) Antioch left Akko Ptolemos? (eagle on wheat)
Very nice. Caracalla (198 - 217 A.D.) AR Tetradrachm Mesopotamia, Carrhae O: AVT·K·M·A ANTONЄINOC ·C-EB · ·, laureate head of Caracalla right; two pellets beneath rear truncation. R: ΔΗΜΑΡΧ ΕΞ ΥΠΑΤΟ Δ, eagle standing facing on bucranium, dot to each side, wings spread, head right, wreath in beak. 28mm 17.10g Prieur 820, Bellinger 160, SGI 2701 Ex. Agora Auctions, lot 184, Sale 81 Caracalla (198 - 217 A.D.) AR Tetradrachm Laodicea ad Mare, Seleucis and Pieria O: AYT K M A ANTΩNEINOC CEB, laureate head right. R: ∆HMAPX EΞ YΠATOC TO ∆, facing eagle, head left holding wreath in beak, star between legs. 27mm 12.5g Prieur 1179
Mat, At 17.10 gm that Carrhae Tet is a pretty hefty coin ! They must have used a forklift to put that one on the top die .
That's one of the reasons I bought it. I didn't even buy it at the auction started, I found it on a search, I bought it on ebay and cheaper then Agora sold it for.
That's a nice "dotted wing" example and great portrait with heavy brow. Here's my favorite Caracalla tetradrachm: Coelesyria, Damascus, Caracalla, AD 198-217, AR Tetradrachm Struck: circa AD 215-217 Size: 24-28mm, 11.62g Obv: AVT KAI ANTωNINOC CЄ, laureate head right of Caracalla Rev: ΔHMAPX ЄΞ VΠATOCTOΔ, eagle standing facing, head and tail left, with wings spread, holding wreath in beak; between legs, ram's head left Ref: Prieur 1205, same obverse die as coin from Prieur collection, rare with drapery on bust, only three noted by Prieur, and nine in CoinArchives. For a die study see: Nurpetlian, J. (2014). Damascene Tetradrachms of Caracalla. American Journal of Numismatics (1989-), 26, 187-198. This coin appears to be Plate 51 number 19.
These are all great, but in this case, Dang, He's P-ssed! (American: 'angry.') It's great to be reminded how realism in the portraits (sometimes verging on caricature) persists well into the 3rd century /earlier 'Barracks Emperors.' I really like the variations between mints, as Shea19 pointed out in the first place.
Wow! Some incredible examples in this thread so far, thanks for sharing. @Al Kowsky , I'm always amazed by your seemingly infinite supply of high-end provincial tets! I especially like your coin from Damascus, incredible detail. @Mat , that Carrhae tet must be great in hand, that's a nice-sized flan. Considering that it's near where he was assassinated, getting a tet from Carrhae is definitely high on my list (I'd love to add a Macrinus from Carrhae too). @dougsmit , your left-facing tet from Beroea is great. Something about those extra long spikes on the radiate crown just seems perfect for him. @robinjojo Wow, those two are beautiful...fantastic portrait on your Antioch example. @ancient coin hunter , @Limes , @Spaniard I love those ants. @Sulla80 That Damascus tet is a stunner!
CARACALLA RI Caracalla 198-217 AR Quinarius CE 213 1.3g 13.6mm Laureate - Victory Wreath Palm RIC IV 101 RSC 450 R
Decapolis, Gadara. Caracalla, AD 198-217. AR Tetradrachm (24.5mm, 15.42g, 12th). Struck AD 215-217. Obv: Laureate head right. Rev: Eagle standing facing, head and tail left, with wings spread, holding wreath in beak; between legs, the Three Graces within wreath. Ref: Prieur 1588 var. (obv. and rev. legends). Good Fine, toned, old scratches beneath tone on obverse. From one of CNG's auctions of the Michel Prieur collection. I only met Michel once at CGB's shop in Paris in the mid-1990's. Michel spent well over an hour with this neophyte tourist pointing out the beauty of ancient coins and freely sharing his deep knowledge of the field.
I like this one because he looks like a real thug! It's the furrowed brow, I think. Caracalla AD 198-217. Roman AR Denarius 3.37 g, 19.7 mm. Rome mint, AD 211. Obv: ANTONINVS PIVS AVG BRIT, laureate head, right. Rev: INDVLG FECVNDAE, Julia Domna as Indulgentia, wearing polos, seated left on cerule chair, extending right hand and holding scepter. Refs: RIC 214; BMCRE 73; RCV 6805.
I absolutely love your 3 Graces reverse, have not seen that on one of these before, great coin! And thanks for sharing that story about M. Prieur, nice to hear the type of person he was. I could not get over the size and quality of his collection when CNG was selling it last year, must have taken 3 or 4 auctions to go through it all. The coin on the bottom right of my photo is from the Prieur collection, definitely one of my favorites.
Time to post my own "angry Caracalla" again, with not only a scowl but a piercing glare. He's probably thinking about his brother: Caracalla AR Denarius 210 AD, Rome Mint. Obv. Laureate head of Caracalla right, ANTONINVS PIVS AVG BRIT/ Rev. Virtus, helmeted, draped, standing right, right breast bare, left foot on helmet, holding reversed spear in her right hand and parazonium in her left hand, PONTIF TR P XIII COS III. (Thirteenth anniversary as ordained heir.) RIC IV-1 117B, RSC III 478. 19 mm., 3.01 g.