Hello Cointalk friends, I stumbled across a reference to a giant medallion of Caracalla on Facebook and I thought I would share this most exquisite piece, which of course, is in a museum This piece was discovered in Egypt as part of a hoard that comprised about twenty similar medallions (now dispersed among various museums), eighteen gold ingots, and six hundred gold coins issued by Roman emperors from Severus Alexander (r. 222-235 CE) to Constantius I (r. 293-306 CE). One of the medallions, now in the Calouste Gulbenkian Museum in Lisbon, bears an inscription that possibly reads "Olympic games of the year 274", a date corresponding to 242-243 CE. One wonders if Caracalla traveled to Siwa Oasis to consult the Oracle of Ammon, as Alexander had done. When I visited the Oracle a few years ago I didn't hear anything. It's also possible that Caracalla as he aged had a progressively worse mental illness, which might help explain his behavior. The medallions may have been intended as prizes to be given out at that event. Alternatively, they may have been issued by Caracalla directly (ruled 198-217 CE), who is portrayed on the this medallion in profile, bearing a shield on his shoulder decorated with the image of Nike in a racing-chariot. The back depicts Caracalla's distant predecessor King Alexander of Macedon (r. 336-323 BCE). According to Herodian, images of Alexander were celebrated all over the Empire. Cassius Dio refers to a 16,000 man force established by Caracalla and equipped with long pikes and 4th-century B.C.E. armor, duplicating the Macedonian phalanx. Clearly, Caracalla's megalomania knew no bounds, as he believed he was the 2nd coming of Alexander, that is until he was assassinated at Carrhae in Syria. Anyway, I thought I would share this most interesting piece. Sadly I don't have the size and weight but it appears quite hefty. I would tend to accept the notion that the medallions were issued by Caracalla himself.
Also, feel free to post any Caracallas you have. I'm adding this coin from Thessalonica. Note the scale armor worn by Caracalla which appears to match what he is wearing on the Medallion.... MACEDON, Thessalonica Caracalla. 198-217 A.D. AE 26, 14.9 grams, 7h Obverse: Laureate and cuirassed bust right, in scale armor Reverse: Nike advancing left, holding a small Cabeirus and palm Reference: Touratsoglou Em, II:a ex: JAZ Numismatics
That is an awesome medallion. Thanks for sharing. I like how Alexander is rolling his eyes at the suggestion that Caracalla is in any way related to himself. John
I had never heard of these pieces. Fascinating-is there a write up- of the hoard,its contents and he medallions themselves anywhere?
Thanks! I'll see if I can persuade the University of Warwick,( Home of Clare Rowan,Michael Scott,Kevin Butcher, Stanley Ireland etc), to order a copy if its not already in the library! Update Not only have they got it but they got the e book which I have downloaded. Oh it's good to have a staff library pass.
Those are truly impressive pieces. Thanks for sharing this info, I did not know it. I wonder why these coins and the gold were burried. I tried a quick but unsuccessful search. Here's a sestertius of Caracalla of mine. The reverse refers to the massacre of his troops in Alexandria, in 215 AD!
Thanks for the info, @ancient coin hunter . Caracalla: RI Caracalla 198-217 AR Quinarius CE 213 1.3g 13.6mm Laureate - Victory Wreath Palm RIC IV 101 RSC 450 RARE
Well I guess where I live, I have zero chance of finding anything of value. Off to the East/ OakIsland, they have been lookin g for a Templar treasure since 1795. However, if I found such a coin, score/ my coll 1 museum o
Seems the Lagina brothers are getting very close. I would love (hope) the "Ark of the Covenent" is buried in the Oak Island "Money Pit". Would also be nice if someone found a hoard(1000+ coins) of FDC ID MAR aurei/ then you and I could have one for our coll. John
According to the Oak island historians, "Knights Templar" who had removed those artifacts from Acre, before the forces of Baybars conquered the City.