Denarius - Caracalla (P M TR P XV COS III P P; Serapis) (212) front Denarius - Caracalla (P M TR P XV COS III P P; Serapis) (212) back
Denarius - Caracalla (P M TR P XV COS III P P; Serapis) (212) photo
© Münzkabinett der Universität Göttingen (CC BY-NC 4.0 DE)

Denarius - Caracalla P M TR P XV COS III P P; Serapis

212 year
Silver 2.8 g -
Description
Issuer
Rome › Roman Empire (27 BC - 395 AD)
Emperor
Caracalla (Marcus Aurelius Antoninus Caracalla) (198-217)
Type
Standard circulation coin
Year
212
Value
1 Denarius
Currency
Denarius, Reform of Augustus (27 BC – AD 215)
Composition
Silver
Weight
2.8 g
Shape
Round (irregular)
Technique
Hammered
Demonetized
Yes
Updated
2024-10-05
References
Numista
N#273293
Rarity index
93%

Reverse

Serapis, wearing polos on head, standing front, head left, raising right hand and holding transverse sceptre in left hand.

Script: Latin

Lettering: P M TR P XV COS III P P

Translation:
Pontifex Maximus, Tribunicia Potestate Quinta Decima, Consul Tertium, Pater Patriae.
High priest, holder of tribunician power for the 15th time, consul for the third time, father of the nation.

Comment

Mass varies: 2.591–2.935 g;

Example of this type:
Münzkabinett der Universität Göttingen

Source:
Online Coins of the Roman Empire (OCRE)

Interesting fact

One interesting fact about this coin is that it features the image of Serapis, a deity that was introduced to the Roman Empire by Caracalla himself. Serapis was a syncretization of the Egyptian god Osiris and the Greek god Hades, and was worshipped as a god of fertility and agriculture. The inclusion of Serapis on the coin highlights the cultural exchange and blending that occurred during the Roman Empire's expansion.