© Trustees of the British Museum
© Trustees of the British Museum
Aureus - Elagabalus FIDES EXERCITVS; Fides
| Gold | 6.2 g | 21 mm |
| Issuer | Rome › Roman Empire (27 BC - 395 AD) |
|---|---|
| Emperor | Elagabalus (Sextus Varius Avitus Basianus) (218-222) |
| Type | Standard circulation coin |
| Years | 218-222 |
| Value | Aureus (25⁄2) |
| Currency | Antoninianus, Reform of Caracalla (AD 215 – 301) |
| Composition | Gold |
| Weight | 6.2 g |
| Diameter | 21 mm |
| Shape | Round (irregular) |
| Technique | Hammered |
| Demonetized | Yes |
| Updated | 2024-10-05 |
| Numista | N#276666 |
|---|---|
| Rarity index | 100% |
Reverse
Fides, draped, seated left, holding eagle in right hand and standard in left hand; before her, standard.
Script: Latin
Lettering: FIDES EXERCITVS
Translation:
Fides Exercitus.
Loyalty of the army.
Comment
Mass varies: 6.14–6.33 g;Example of this type:
Trustees of the British Museum
Source:
Online Coins of the Roman Empire (OCRE)
Interesting fact
One interesting fact about the Aureus - Elagabalus (FIDES EXERCITVS; Fides) coin is that it features an image of the Roman goddess Fides (Fidelity) on the reverse side, which was a unique design choice for a Roman coin during that time period. Fides was not a commonly depicted deity in Roman art, and her appearance on this coin may have been a deliberate choice by Elagabalus to promote his own religious beliefs or to emphasize the importance of loyalty and fidelity within the Roman Empire.
