Aureus - Geta PONTIF COS; Bacchus, Ariadne, and Silenus
| Gold | 7.2 g | 21 mm |
| Issuer | Rome › Roman Empire (27 BC - 395 AD) |
|---|---|
| Emperor | Geta (Publius Septimius Geta) (209-211) |
| Type | Standard circulation coin |
| Years | 203-208 |
| Value | 1 Aureus = 25 Denarii |
| Currency | Denarius, Reform of Augustus (27 BC – AD 215) |
| Composition | Gold |
| Weight | 7.2 g |
| Diameter | 21 mm |
| Shape | Round (irregular) |
| Technique | Hammered |
| Demonetized | Yes |
| Updated | 2024-10-05 |
| Numista | N#271650 |
|---|---|
| Rarity index | 100% |
Reverse
Bacchus and Ariadne seated right; behind, herm, at feet, panther; in front, Silenus, flautist and Maenads dancing.
Script: Latin
Lettering: PONTIF COS
Translation:
Pontifex [Maximus], Consul.
[High] priest, consul.
Comment
Source:Online Coins of the Roman Empire (OCRE)
Interesting fact
One interesting fact about this coin is that it features an image of Bacchus, the Roman god of wine and revelry, on one side, and an image of Ariadne, the Greek goddess of fertility and the wife of Dionysus (Bacchus' counterpart in Greek mythology), on the other side. This coin is a rare example of a Roman coin that incorporates elements of Greek mythology, highlighting the cultural exchange and blending that occurred during the Roman Empire's expansion into Greece.