I always wanted a Roman coin from the Mesopotamian city of Carrhae, site of the famous battle of 53 BC. General Marcus Licinius Crassus, one of the wealthiest men in Rome, took it upon himself to invade the Parthian empire without the formal consent of the Roman Senate. The Parthians, despite being seriously outnumbered, killed or captured nearly all the Roman legionaries including Crassus. It was a shocking & humiliating defeat for the Romans. Coincidentally, Caracalla was stabbed to death in the city of Carrhae, by his own troops before a planed attack on the Parthian empire. The coin pictured below is common but an unusually good strike with an excellent portrait. I scored it at a CNG auction long ago.
This Tet looks like a gem mint state coin from Antioch, Syria ! Despite the doubling on the reverse the image of the eagle hasn't been impaired. The coin looks like unusually good metal for a war issue .
What a fantastic coin @Al Kowsky ! You have already seen my Caracalla from Antioch, but I can't resist posting it again, just for having them together on the same thread Caracalla, Tetradrachm - Antioch mint, c.209-212 AD AVT KAI ANTWNEIN C CEB, Laureate bust of Caracalla right DHMARX.....PATO.TO.TOG, Eagle facing with wreath in beak 13.65 gr Ref : Sear #2649 var, Prieur # 214A_001 (unique to date with this reverse legend lacking C : "should" be TOC.TOG. Thanks to Michel Prieur (RIP) for the additionnal informations) Q
Left facing portraits of Caracalla are rare compared to the standard right facing portraits. I've had many left facing portraits on Tets & bronze folles, but never on a Caracalla Tet .
I love these coins been looking at some for a while now. I saw one yesterday where his forehead protruded out so far it was way beyond normal.
I am quite fond o the series and would not mind having the set from the mints but the price will keep that from happening here. I have showed my coin way too many times but will add my most unusual one here again. Each mint has its own style and minor type under the eagle. Caracalla AR tetradrachm / eagle on wheat (Cyprus mint)
That's a nice looking Ex Fine Tet from a scarce mint too . Collecting a type set of Tets with different mint marks in choice condition was a long time goal of mine too. Escalating prices forced me to abandon that goal . For too long provincial silver coins were under priced until some excellent reference books appeared in the market. There are still bargains to be had in provincial bronze coins, but finding examples in V.F. condition or better is a real challenge .
I can't say that I have a goal of finishing the set but I intend to gather a few that appeal to me along the way. It will be easier for me since I do not reject imperfect coins when they have something going for them. Beroea Antioch
I don't often lower my condition standards but I did on the Caracalla Tet pictured. Not only is the portrait outstanding but the coin cost less than the price of the slab . The slab grade was XL, but I think it's no better than VF+.