I've been continuing to limit my coin buying for the time being within California because of the USPS. My latest additions are 2 Syrian Tetradrachms of Caracalla & Macrinus, not that I needed either in Tetradrachm form but these are scarcer types due to the busts & figures under the eagles. Caracalla (198 - 217 A.D.) AR Tetradrachm Beroea, Cyrrhestica, Syria O: AVT K M AV ANTΩNЄINOC CЄB, Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust right. R: ΔHMAPX EΞ YΠATOC Δ / B - E. Eagle standing facing, head and tail left, with wings spread, holding wreath in beak; between legs, bird facing between legs. 13.38g 27mm Prieur 884 Macrinus (217 -218 A.D.) AR Tetradrachm MESOPOTAMIA, Carrhae O: AVT K M ΟΠ CЄ MAKPINOC CЄ, laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust right. R: ΔHMAPX ЄΞ VΠATOC, eagle standing facing on bull's head flanked by pellets, head right, with wings spread, holding wreath in beak. 12.71g 27mm Prieur 827; Bellinger 165
Beroea is a favorite with that cartoon bird between the BE. I have no idea if there is a meaning to the radiate crown on mine. 11.5g
Mat, Your two coins make an interesting pair . Caracalla was murdered under the instigation of Macrinus on his way to Carrhae. He was killed by a member of his own personal body guard while relieving himself by the side of the road . A fitting end for this monster . I've got two coins of the same type that have been posted before, but will post again for your thread. Cyrrhestica, Beroea, Macrinus, AD 217-218, Billon Tetradrachm: 14.80 gm, 26 mm, 6 h. Prieur 890. Ex Harlan J Berk, June 5, 2009.
Very interesting. I don’t have the experience with tets that you do, so the bird and bull additions in the exergue (?) are very neat. @dougsmit That crown is so large! Never seen something like that on a tet. @Al Kowsky That Macrinus is so nice. No other words.
