Dear All, Just bought this one, not that it is a perfect coin, but the face is different and a strange Cyprus mint, I think it is quite a nice portrait, looks he good a moustache, that you do not see often. From Asearch info: Caracalla, AD 198-217. Silver Tetradrachm (14.8g) minted at Cyprus, AD 215-217. Laureate head of bearded Caracalla facing right. Reverse: Eagle standing on ear of wheat; head left. Bellinger 283 (pl. XXVI, #10).Michel & Prieru 1578. Rare mint. Superb Nearly Mint State.
We can look at that face from 2000 years ago and appreciate the scowl, but I'll bet there were those around him that cringed when they saw it. Wonderful coin @Cyrrhus
Is this an effect of wear or something with the dies? I haven't been collecting ancients very long, but I've never seen a mustache before. I've also never seen the Queen...well... There are lots of things I haven't seen. I've never seen Caracalla with a mustache.
My first guess was a die artefact too....but maybe it's 'real' since a light beard seems evident as well???
It is 100% another engraver at work, no mistake in the die. Maybe artist neve saw him...and just made a guess in Cyprus..
Nice coin, Cyrrhus! I think you are correct, the mint employees in Cyprus never saw his real life portrait. This happened many times in history, most famous the "imaginary" busts of King Ferdinand VII of Spain, most Colonial Mints struck coins with last Kings bust (Carlos IV) or imaginary busts! Here is my example from Lima Mint/Peru
@Cyrrhus.....Coincidentally, I just ran across an example that depicts Caracalla with a mustache, just like your example, and it was struck at Commagene, Zeugma with a reference of Prieur 812...and only slightly differs with the depicted devices. Well, now I've seen two ...
