Elagabalus: Fall of an eccentric Emperor

My only Elagabalus. Is a denarius but I have to admit I've not done any research, mainly because of condition.

I think its barbaric.
Great write up @Sallent sure makes me rethink not having any better coins of the guy/gal.
You always have nice coins to boast.

 

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My one and only Elagabalus:

 

It seems a nice coin but the horn is not bold in the photo. Is that a matter of the photo or is this one lacking?

 

Congrats, lawyer => nice write-up

Mikey-Z ... thanks for the atta-boy, but my sweet 3D-boat is Caracalla, not an E-dawg

Caracalla, AR Denarius




Oh, but I do happen to have a couple of AR Elagabalus examples ... wanna see 'em?

E-dawg, AR Tetradrachm


E-dawg, AR Denarius

 

Guess I'll pile on a few more


Elagabalus
AR denarius, Rome mint. Struck CE 221-222. 3.55 gm
Obv: IMP ANTONINVS PIVS AVG; laureate and draped bust right, with “horn” on forehead
Rev: SACERD DEI SOLIS ELAGAB; Elagabalus standing right, holding club and sacrificing from patera over lighted altar; star to right; faint star in left field (likely engraved and then mostly removed by grinding the field).
Ref: RIC IV 131; Thirion 302; RSC 246


MOESIA INFERIOR, Nikopolis ad Istrum. Elagabalus
AE 18 mm, 2.8 gm
Obv: AVT K M AVP ANTΩNINOC, laureate, draped, cuirassed bust right
Rev: NIKOΠOΛITΩ NΠPOCICTPO N, Priapus standing left, drawing back his cloak to expose his phallus, bowl of fruit balanced on phallus, right hand extended pouring from patera
Ref: Varbanov 3811, AMNG 2022


MOESIA INFERIOR. Nikopolis ad Istrum
Elagabalus , CE 218-222
AE 26 mm, 11.1 gm
Obv: AYT K M AYP ANTΩNEINOC. Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust right
Rev: VΠ NOBIOV POVΦOV NIKOΠOΛITΩN ΠPOC ICTPON. River-god reclining right, holding branch; prow at side
Ref: Varbanov 4055
ex Falter Collection, Nature Gods


MESOPOTAMIA, Edessa. Elagabalus
AE27, 15 gm
Obv: AVT K M A ANTΩNEINOC; radiate cuirassed bust left, holding shield and raising right hand.
Rev: AVP ........ EΔECCA; Tyche seated left on rock, holding corn ears; to left a column surmounted by a statue of Marsyas, river god swimming right at feet
Ref: Mionnet supplement 8, 26. Rare. Mionnet is the only work which lists this coin with a column on the left.

 

He is a favorite of mine to get.


Elagabalus (218 - 222 A.D.)
SYRIA, Seleucis and Pieria. Antioch
Billon Tetradrachm
O: ΑΥΤ Κ Μ Α ΑΝΤWΝΕΙΝΟC CEB Laureate bust right, drapery on left shoulder.
R: ∆ΗΜΑΡΧ. ΕΞ. ΥΠΑΤΟC. TO. B. Eagle standing facing, head turned to r., wings spread, holding wreath in beak; ∆ − Ε across upper fields, star between legs.
Antioch Mint
13.99 g
24 mm
McAlee 761; Prieur 254.


Elagabalus (218 - 222 A.D.)
SYRIA, Seleucis and Pieria. Antioch
Billon Tetradrachm
Obv.: AVT K M A ANTWNEINOC, Laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust right
Rev.: ΔHMAPX EΞYΠATOC TOB, Eagle standing facing, head and tail left, holding wreath in beak, Δ Є above wings, star between legs.
Billon, 14.46g,
24mm
Ref.: Prieur 264


Elagabalus (218 - 222 A.D.)
AR Denarius
O.: IMP ANTONINVS PIVS AVG, laureate and draped bust right, from behind.
R.: PM T R P IIII COS III P P, Sol radiate, half-draped, with flying cloak, advancing left, raising right hand and holding whip; in field, star.
Rome mint, AD 220-221
20mm
3.49g
RIC IVb Elagabalus 40 (p. 31)

Reverse Die Clash


Elagabalus (218-222 A.D.)
AR Denarius
Struck 220-222 AD.
O: IMP ANTONINVS PIVS AVG, Laureate and draped bust right, horn on head.
R: SACRED DEI SOLIS ELAGAB, Elagabalus standing right, holding branch (?) and sacrificing from patera over lighted altar; star in right field.
RIC IV 131; BMCRE 225 note; RSC 246
Rome mint
19mm
3.5g


Elagabalus (218-222 A.D.)
AR Antonianus
O: IMP CAES M AVR ANTONINVS AVG" Radiate and draped bust right.
R: VICTOR ANTONINI AVG"
Victory running right, holsing wreath and palm.
Rome Mint
22mm
4.54g
RIC 155
Ex Vauctions 368 (Beast Coins), Lot # 158


Elagabalus, (218 - 222 A.D.)
Æ20
Thrace: Philippopolis
O: AUT K M AUR ANTWNINOS, laureate head right .
R : FILIPPOPOLEITWN NEWKWRWN, Hermes standing ,holding Purcell and caduceus.
20mm
3.6g
Varbanov, Vol. III, 1781, p. 203

 

Probably the dealer got the wrong reference for the coin. I doubt it ever had a horn given how bold and sharp the strike is, so I'll get the proper reference later. At least everything else in the description seems right.

 

I think attribution is correct. Your coin does show a horn but it looks like the fields may have been polished or ground, removing all but the tip of the horn. Or, maybe the horn wasn't deeply engraved to begin with.

 

Interesting. Why would they polish or ground the fields? Was it to increase die life? Maybe the die had a rust spot and a mint worker set to removing it?

I wonder if Elagabalus ever got upset some of his coins suffered from erectile horn disfunction.

 

I've managed to get domna twice, paula, moesia, mammea. My fave augustas. Couple more would be nice!

 

LOL

 

Wonderfull posts/ great coins! I only have 2 Elagalabus coins...But have a few more of his family to bid on in upcoming auction
I have an AV aureus ND 6.57g./21mm. circa 219AD Calico 3038 Rome
obv. laureate bust
rev. victory

also AR denarius ND 2.66g./19mm. circa 220/1AD RIC 107 C92 Rome
obv. laureate bust
rev. Libertas
John

 

What a great coin, so minutely detailed, and a splendid portrait - that aureus.

 

I hesitate to show this Elagabal bronze, because it has been extensively tooled. A large, impressive coin, but I don't feel quite happy with it. The reverse shows the city goddess of Antioch over the swimming river god Orontes. 33 mm, 19.64 gr.

 

Almost forgot I had another Elagabal from Nicopolis with a temple in perspective, shield in pediment, trees in background and below that a pic of the ruins as they are today. Pic with thanks Ivan Varbanov.

 

Elagabalus and his granny!

 

that's a nice one, i have obverse on a coin with the serpent reverse. not in as good as shape as yours, but i bought it years ago with another as unknowns for real cheap.

 

Great OP and subsequent thread, this is a prime example of why I love this forum!