© American Numismatic Society (ANS)
© American Numismatic Society (ANS)
Denarius - Caracalla P M TR P XV COS III P P; Serapis
212 year| Silver | 3.2 g | 18.5 mm |
| 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 | 3.2 g |
| Diameter | 18.5 mm |
| Shape | Round (irregular) |
| Technique | Hammered |
| Orientation | Variable alignment ↺ |
| Demonetized | Yes |
| Updated | 2024-10-05 |
| Numista | N#273294 |
|---|---|
| Rarity index | 95% |
Reverse
Serapis, wearing polos on head, standing 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: 2.741–3.78 g;Diameter varies: 17.5–19 mm;
Example of this type:
American Numismatic Society (ANS)
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 worshipped in the Roman Empire during the 2nd and 3rd centuries AD. Serapis was a syncretization of the Egyptian god Osiris and the Greek god Hades, and was often depicted with a modius, a grain measure, on his head, which symbolized his role as a god of fertility and agriculture. The inclusion of Serapis on this coin suggests that the Roman Empire was interested in promoting the cult of Serapis, which was popular in the eastern provinces of the empire, particularly in Egypt.
