ROMAN-SYRIA, Laodicea ad Mare, Caracalla, AD 198-217 (struck AD 215-217). Billon Tetradrachm: 14.53 gm, 26 mm, 1 h. Prieur 1179. CNG 510, lot 472. I won this coin last month to add to my growing sub-group of "War Tetradrachms". Prieur cited 265 examples of this coin type , & I'm sure well over 100 more examples have been added since his book was published in 2000. For those unfamiliar with the label "War Tetradrachms", these coins were struck at over two dozen different mints to fund Caracalla's planed invasion of Parthia. Caracalla wanted to annex the Kingdom of Parthia peacefully if their king would give his youngest daughter's hand to him in marriage . When the king refused the enraged Caracalla planed a full scale invasion, but he was assassinated before the final march to Parthia . These coins show a serious decline in metal quality & engraving. They were debased from a fineness of 60% to about 35%. Many of the earlier tetradrachms of good silver were melted down to fund this project. Despite the crude appearance of this coin it has some redeeming features; the coin is well struck, the portrait is in high relief, it is in mint state aside from a few small deposits, & it cost me less than $200 . CT members are welcome to post examples of their War Tetradrachms .
Nice, great price on that. Mine was $45 in 2016. Caracalla (198 - 217 A.D.) AR Tetradrachm Laodicea ad Mare, Seleucis and Pieria O: AYT K M A ANTΩNEINOC CEB, laureate head right. R: ∆HMAPX EΞ YΠATOC TO ∆, facing eagle, head left holding wreath in beak, star between legs. 27mm 12.5g Prieur 1179
Phoenicia, Berytus. Caracalla, AD 198-217. AR Tetradrachm (27mm, 13.29g, 12h). Struck circa AD 215-217. Obv: AYT KAI•AN-TWNINOC CЄ; Laureate bust right, slight drapery. Rev: ΔΗΜΑΡΧ ЄΞ YΠATOC TO•Δ•; Eagle standing facing, head and tail left, with wings spread, holding wreath in beak; prow left between legs. Ref: Prieur 1293. Very Fine, lightly toned. From the BLS Collection. Ex CNG eAuction 476 (9 Sept 2020), Lot 256.
Great tet @Al Kowsky Maybe not a "war tetradrachm" but Laodicaea nonetheless Caracalla (04/02/211-08/04/217), tetradrachme - Laodicée Tetradrachme de billon de l'atelier de Laodicée du cinquième groupe, c. 212-213 ΑΥΤ.ΚΑΙ.ΑΝΤΩΝΕΙΝOC.CΕ. , Buste lauré de Caracalla à droite .ΔHΜΑΡX.E.Ξ.YΠΑΤΟC.ΤΟ.Γ, Aigle de face les ailes déployées, la tête à gauche, tenant dans son bec une couronne. Entre les pattes une étoile 12.08 gr Ref : Prieur # 1176_028, Sear #2659 var Provenance : vente Poindessault-Vedrines du 31/03/1997 Q
Mat, That's an excellent example of Prieur 1179, & by todays standard a great buy. Thanks for posting .
Edessa, That's an excellent War Tet from Berytus . Caracalla looks quite stern in that portrait . Thanks for posting .
Q, Your Tet is earlier than the War Tet Period, & a far more desirable example . This coin was made before the period of debasement when the alloy was still 60% silver . Caracalla has an unusually full beard for this period, & a decline in the quality of portraiture is evident . Thanks for posting.
