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<p>[QUOTE=&quot;Al Kowsky, post: 8203821, member: 97383&quot;]The first Roman tetradrachms struck on the Island of Cyprus were from the reign of Vespasian, and were good quality silver, about 80% pure. On the other hand, the tetradrachms of Caracalla were billon, about 35% pure silver. The tetradrachms struck under Caracalla were minted to help fund his proposed war against the Persian Empire. Most of his coins were hastily made from poorly engraved dies. Michel Prieur states that &quot;these coins cannot be attributed to Cyprus with certainty&quot;, however, all the major auction houses and dealers today assign these coins to Cyprus. Cyprus was a major exporter of copper and wheat. Under Septimius Severus, Cyprus reached its peak of development. Caracalla had two statues consecrated to himself on the Island of Cyprus. The most important temple on Cyprus was the Temple of Aphrodite, in the city of Palaiaphos. The temple held the sacred baetyl stone (meteorite), and it is still on display today. I finally added the mint state tetradrachm pictured below to my collection after a long search. </p><p>&nbsp; </p><p>[ATTACH=full]1437990[/ATTACH] </p><p><b>CYPRUS. Caracalla, AD 198-217 (struck AD 215-217). Koinon of Cyprus. Billon Tetradrachm: 12.75 gm, 25.55 mm, 1 h. Obverse: Laureate but of Caracalla. Reverse: Eagle with wreath in beak, ear of grain below. Prieur 1580. Bellinger 383. <i>Ex Kenneth S. Abramowitz Collection. CNG Triton XXV, lot 5247.</i></b></p><p><b><i><br /></i></b></p><p><b><i>[ATTACH=full]1437994[/ATTACH] </i></b></p><p><b>&nbsp; Map showing the locations of Paphos and Salamis, the likely Roman mints.</b></p><p><b><br /></b></p><p><b>[ATTACH=full]1437995[/ATTACH] </b></p><p><b>&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; Photo of the sacred baetyl stone.</b></p><p><b><br /></b></p><p>Reference: The Syro-Phoenician Tetradrachms &amp; Their Fraction, from 57 BC to AD 253. Michel &amp; Karen Prieur. Copyright 2000. Classical Numismatic Group, Inc.</p><p><br /></p><p><b>CT </b>members are welcome to post any coins of Roman Cyprus or anything relevant to this thread <img src="styles/default/xenforo/clear.png" class="mceSmilieSprite mceSmilie50" alt=":happy:" unselectable="on" unselectable="on" />.[/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>

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