Denarius pair of Caracalla and Geta- "Providence of the Gods"

Yes: It is an enigma coin.

The obverse is VICTORY (see the wings), and had been attributed as a living portrait of FULVIA.

Very pertinent to this thread.

 

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Some great examples, thanks everyone for sharing! (And sorry I'm a little late responding to this thread).

I love that reverse...I need one of those!

@Curtisimo , that big bronze from Galatia is a stunner! Beautiful coin!

@Marsyas Mike That's a very nice group of Providentia reverses, thanks for sharing.

@John Conduitt , that's a great set of Victoriae Brit! I especially like the detail on the Geta reverse.

@ambr0zie , I really like the stag on that provincial bronze.

@Andres2 , great detail on that Minerva reverse, especially on the shield.

 

Yes, great point, I agree. I think that part of what makes the two of them so interesting is that their story really does read like a movie script, but so much about their relationship is lost to history. I always find it a little surprising that there aren't any awful stories about Geta that have survived (even if completely false and made up by Caracalla supporters). On some level, I wonder if Caracalla's damnatio memoriae may have actually benefited Geta's reputation in history in the long run. With so much of Geta's story erased from history, he ends up being reduced to the role of "the Victim." This obviously makes him much more sympathetic, because nobody likes to blame "the victim." In reality, Geta may have been just as bad as his brother, and probably played a big role in his own fate.

The only other Providentia Deorum reverse in my collection is this denarius of Lucius Verus (which I've shared many times). Unlike Caracalla and Geta, Lucius was apparently able to put his ego aside, accept his role, and work well with his co-emperor. Had Geta been more like Lucius, things may have worked out differently for him (or maybe not, we'll never know).


Lucius Verus, AR Denarius (17 mm, 3.08 g), Rome, 161-162. Bareheaded bust of Lucius Verus to r./Rev. Providentia standing front, holding globe in her r. hand and cornucopia with her l. RIC 482 (Marcus Aurelius).

 

@Shea19, a great furrowed brow Caracalla and the Markianopolis face-off coin is priceless in my view. Here's a favorite Geta from Nicean games of Severus celebrating the royal family if not more specifically the elevation of Caracalla and Geta to Augustus and Caesar.

Geta, as Caesar, Nicaea, Bithynia, AD 198-209
Obv: [ΓЄTAC] KAICAP, bare-headed bust right
Rev: NIKAIЄΩN, prize crown containing single palm branch
Size: 17mm., 2.55g
Ref:AsiaMinorCoins 11899; missing from RPC online?
Notes: more on this coin here

and a pair of coins from Caracalla - to add to the entertaining movie script from @dougsmit :

Caracalla as Caesar, AD 196-198, AR denarius, Rome mint, struck AD 196-198
Obv: M AVR ANTON-CAES PONTIF, bare headed, draped bust of Caracalla right, seen from behind
Rev: [DESTINATO IMPERAT], priestly implements: lituus, apex, bucranium, simpulum
Ref: RIC IV 6

Caracalla as Caesar, AD 196-198, AR denarius, Rome mint, struck AD 196
Obv: M AVR ANTONINVS CAES, bareheaded, draped, and cuirassed bust right
Rev: SEVERI AVG PII FIL, Priestly implements: lituus, cultellus, capis, simpulum, and aspergillum
Ref: RIC IV 4