Caracalla denarius- sharp portrait on a strange oblong-shaped flan

Excellent portrait.

 

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A really strong portrait of Caracalla. Great coin!

When it comes to oblong-shaped flans, I think this one comes closest. Although I'm not sure how to call this flan shape.


I'll throw in this Caracalla ant as well, because of the strong portrait. 'Strong portrait' in combination with Caracalla somehow automatically invokes thoughts about his psychotic behaviour and his maniacal actions...

 

Some great examples, thanks for sharing everyone! Always interesting to see the many shapes and sizes, every ancient coin is really unique in its own way, that’s part of what I love about collecting.

Definitely a lot less quality control in the 3rd Century, but I think that Doug is probably right that this sort of shape didn’t seem as strange back then as it does to those of us now who’ve been spoiled with perfectly round coins all our lives.

 

Caracalla, not too oblong flan:

Denarius, Rome, 216 AD
19 x 20 mm, 3.729 g

RIC IV 275A; RSC 279b;

Ob.: ANTONINVS PIVS AVG GERM, Bust of Caracalla, laureate, to r.
Rev.: P M TR P XVIIII COS IIII P P Jupiter standing facing, looking left, holding thunderbolt and scepter

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and Trajan, also a bit oblong:
Denarius, Rome, struck between Winter 114 to early 117 AD
16 x 19 mm, 3.301 g

RIC II Trajan 343; Cohen II 278;
Ob.: IMP CAES NER TRAIA(NO OPTIMO A)VG GER DAC Head of Trajan, laureate, to r.
Rev.: PM TR P C(OS) VI PP SPQR Felicitas draped, standing l., holding up caduceus in r. hand and cornucopiae in l.



This is a really oblong one

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