Elagabalus Antoninianus

Yes, awesome portrait, @Sallent!

My only Elagabalus, issued 219-220. I need one with the horn! and an ant too!

 

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It is a very nice portrait, better than on either of my coins from this emperor.

 

Nice coins all. I'll pile on with this horned Elagabalus:

ELAGABALUS
AR Denarius
A.D. 218 – 222 (struck A.D. 221)
3.73 grams, 19.5 mm diameter
Obv: IMP.ANTONINUS PIVS AVG, Laureate draped bust right with horn over forehead.
Rev: P.M.TR.P.IIII.COS.III.P.P. Elagabalus standing left sacrificing over small fire alter holding branch/club in left arm and patera in right hand with star above.
Grade: Good EF, well centered on good silver fabric.
Other: Variety with horn (DBP) with extensive CoinTalk provenance. Ex Littleton coin. Sear Roman Coins and their values #2112, depicted on plate 7.

* Horn variety The portrait of Elagabalus is depicted with a small horn placed over the forehead, signifying divine power. It is rumored that this “horn” is actually a Dehydrated Bovine Phallus (DBP).

Elagabalus was a 3rd Century monster. Here is young monster of the 20th Century:

 

I have only one coin featuring Elagabalus and its a provincial:


Elagabalus, AD 218-222
AE, 23mm, 6.41g; 12h; Nicaea, Bithynia
Obv.: M AVPH ANTΩNINOC AVG; Laureate head right
Rev.: N-IK-AI-E-[ΩN] beneath the masts of legionary standards; eagle facing, head right, wings spread, between two standards surmounted by capricorns.

 

A great coin in your collection, keep on going

 

..you better be thinking good thoughts or i'll wish you into the corn field after i turn you into a jack-in-the-box..i love tzos!

 

Thought I'd resurrect this thread instead of creating my own, as RC already said the basics about the interesting time of this denomination... being spotty to begin with: under Caracalla 215-217; a very small amount minted early by Macrinus in 217 before discontinuing; then started back up by Elagabalus in late 218-219 as he makes his way to and settles into Rome (drawing more legitimatacy with the armies using it to pay them and connection to his cuz Caracalla?), only to demonitize it in 219. Fascinating, huh?!?

My new one is like Martin's (struck in 219, Rome mint), showing Mars, probably depicting his military victory with his successful rebellion over Macrinus in the year prior. I really like the artistry of the portrait of the young, fresh-faced emperor, and Mars on the reverse is not shy.  Yep, with an Elagabalus coin would you expect nothing less? Lol!


RIC 122f, 23mm, 5.49g, Slightly toned

I think I've found both an obverse die match, and a reverse die match (though, not double die)...

Obverse Die Match:

https://www.acsearch.info/search.html?id=6483802

Reverse Die Match:

https://www.acsearch.info/search.html?id=2972988

 

I am fond of the types with ANTONINI on the reverse.

For a denomination issued for a short time, this thread has shown there were several options.

 

Don't have an Elagabalus Antoninianus. Contributing to the revival of this thread, which I think is a great idea :

Denarius, Rome, 220 - 222 AD
17 mm, 3.45 g
Ref.: RIC IV/2, 88; Cohen 61; Sear 7518;

This coin has a double strike error on the reverse. One can see part of the pearled border perpendicular to where it should have been struck.

Ob.: IMP ANTONINVS PIVS AVG Laureate and draped bust right
Rev.: INVICTVS SACERDOS AVG, Elagabalus standing left, sacrificing over altar, holding patera in right hand and club in left, bull lying down behind altar; in left field star

This type was issued in the final emission of coinage under Elagabalus. During the previous year, a "horn" was added to Elagabalus' portrait, commonly believed to be a mark indicating divine status. During this last issue final emission, though, the "horn" disappeared from the coinage, and it is theorized that the public became so reviled by his acts that the controversial symbol was removed by mint officials. Such a scenario is unlikely. It is more likely that the popular unrest provoked a sudden attempt by the regime to reform its image, one act would be the removal of the horn.

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That reverse die is hilarious!

 

An antoninianus of Elagabalus was one of the very first ancients I ever bought, May 1987. Tempus fugit.



Elagabalus Antoninianus
(218-222 A.D.)
Rome Mint
IMP ANTONINVS AVG, radiate draped & cuirassed bust right / PROVID DEORVM, Providentia left, standing, wand over globe & cornucopia; leaning on column
RIC 129, RSC 243, BMC 155
(5.09 grams / 23 mm)

 

MARS VICTOR again