For a while it has been quite a discussion whether Syrian and Phoenician tetradrachms from the time of Caracalla and Macrinus attributed to many cities have indeed been produced in these cities and not in some centralized mint. Look at the style of this Tyre bronze - it is identical to tetradrachms! PHOENICIA, Tyre. Caracalla. AD 198-217. Æ Dichalkon (26mm, 12.80 g, 1h). Laureate head right / Eagle standing facing, head left, with wings spread and wreath in beak; in background, vexillum inscribed LEG/III/GAL; murex shell to right. Rouvier 2319; AUB –; BMC –. Near VF. Very rare.
Factor, That's an interesting coin with an excellent portrait . The Tyre mint had some gifted celators working for them. Pictured below are 2 Tets I sold several years ago that also have excellent portraits.
Caracalla was a man of many portrayals, especially when it comes to his provincial coinage. Here is an example from Emesa, Seleucis and Pieria, purchased post-auction earlier this year. On this particular example he facing right, brow heavily furrowed, a frowning, pursed mouth, and a large, deeply set eye staring with fierce determination - perhaps not the first person you'd consider taking out for lunch. I certainly wouldn't rely on any service tip from him! Caracalla AR Tetradrachm of Emesa, Seleucis and Pieria. AD 215-217. •AΥT K M A• AN•••TWNЄINOC C Є•B•, laureate head right / ΔΗΜΑΡX ΕΞ VΠΑΤOC TO Δ, eagle standing facing, head left, with wreath in beak; A under beak; radiate, draped, and cuirassed bust of Shamash left between legs. Prieur 956. 12.76g, 27mm, 2h. Extremely Fine. Very Rare.
