© Trustees of the British Museum
© Trustees of the British Museum
As - Caracalla COS LVD SAEC FEC; Hercules, Bacchus, and Liber
204 year| Bronze | 10.9 g | 26 mm |
| Issuer | Rome › Roman Empire (27 BC - 395 AD) |
|---|---|
| Emperor | Caracalla (Marcus Aurelius Antoninus Caracalla) (198-217) |
| Type | Standard circulation coin |
| Year | 204 |
| Value | As = 1⁄16 Denarius |
| Currency | Denarius, Reform of Augustus (27 BC – AD 215) |
| Composition | Bronze |
| Weight | 10.9 g |
| Diameter | 26 mm |
| Shape | Round (irregular) |
| Technique | Hammered |
| Demonetized | Yes |
| Updated | 2024-10-06 |
| Numista | N#273727 |
|---|---|
| Rarity index | 100% |
Reverse
Legend in four lines on column between Bacchus, naked, holding cup and thyrsus, on left and Hercules, naked, holding club and lion-skin, on right; in exergue, S C.
Script: Latin
Lettering: COS LVD SAEC FEC
Translation:
Consul, Ludos Saeculares Fecit.
Consul, organiser of the Secular Games.
Comment
Mass varies: 9.66–12.05 g;Example of this type:
Trustees of the British Museum
Source:
Online Coins of the Roman Empire (OCRE)
Interesting fact
One interesting fact about this coin is that it features three gods on its reverse side: Hercules, Bacchus, and Liber. This is unusual for a Roman coin, as typically only one or two gods were depicted on a coin. The presence of three gods on this coin may indicate that Caracalla, the emperor who issued it, was trying to emphasize his connection to the gods and his divine right to rule.
