A Triga of Quadrigae

Thanks! I agree, the artistry of the Caracalla reverse is first rate.

 

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Great coins!

 

Caracalla denarius, Victory in quadriga: another from same dies was in Ball VI, Feb. 1932, lot 1885.

A third spec., but from different dies, is in my collection, acquired from Jonathan Kern c. 2005.

Seaby, Roman Silver Coins 622a, is probably an incomplete description of this denarius, taken over from the Tinchant catalogue: Victory holds wreath and palm, but is said to be in a biga rather than a quadriga. Possibly Tinchant knew this coin from the Ball catalogue of 1932, but overlooked the two extra horses.

Elagabalus denarius, emperor in quadriga: in my opinion the obv. legend IMP ANTONINVS AVG was never used at Rome, but only (a) at an Eastern mint, succeeding ANTONINVS PIVS FEL(IX) AVG and taking over many of the rev. types of that earlier issue, including the SANCTO DEO type, Stone in quadriga, that Ben Hur and Limes also illustrate above.

(b) IMP ANTONINVS AVG was also used by an auxiliary mint striking antoniniani and denarii only, no gold or bronze coins, in 219-20 (TR P II and III), the dies probably being cut by Rome-mint engravers, to judge from their style. Ben Hur's Emperor in quadriga denarius obviously comes from this mint, auxiliary to Rome, not the second issue of the Eastern mint, which used the same obv. legend.

 

OBVERSE: Helmeted head of Roma right, laurel branch behind, X below chin
REVERSE: Jupiter driving quadriga right holding thunderbolt & eagle tipped scepter, M CARBO below horses, ROMA in ex.
Struck at Rome 122 BC
3.21g, 18mm


C. Annius T.f T.n and L. Fabius L.f Hispaniensis (moneyers) 82-81 BC
mint in north Italy or Spain, 19mm, 3.89g
OBV: Diademed, draped bust of Anna Perenna r, caduceus behind, scales before, plow below. C ANNI TF TN PRO COS EX
REV: Victory with palm frond, driving galloping quadriga r. Q above, L FABI LF HISP in ex

 

Helpful information, Curtis. Thank you!

 

Here's a chariot, with much wear and electrolysis abuse...