Denarius - Elagabalus (SANCT DEO SOLI ELAGABAL; Sol Invictus) (218-222) front Denarius - Elagabalus (SANCT DEO SOLI ELAGABAL; Sol Invictus) (218-222) back
Denarius - Elagabalus (SANCT DEO SOLI ELAGABAL; Sol Invictus) (218-222) photo
© Münzsammlung des Seminars für Alte Geschichte, Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg (CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 DE)

Denarius - Elagabalus SANCT DEO SOLI ELAGABAL; Sol Invictus

 
Silver 3 g 19 mm
Description
Issuer
Rome › Roman Empire (27 BC - 395 AD)
Emperor
Elagabalus (Sextus Varius Avitus Basianus) (218-222)
Type
Standard circulation coin
Years
218-222
Value
Denarius (½)
Currency
Antoninianus, Reform of Caracalla (AD 215 – 301)
Composition
Silver
Weight
3 g
Diameter
19 mm
Shape
Round (irregular)
Technique
Hammered
Demonetized
Yes
Updated
2024-10-05
References
Numista
N#276856
Rarity index
97%

Reverse

Slow quadriga moving right, on which is set the conical stone of Emesa surmounted by eagle; in carriage, the stone is surrounded by four parasols.

Script: Latin

Lettering: SANCT DEO SOLI ELAGABAL

Translation:
Sanctur Deo Soli Elagabalus.
The holy sun god Elagabalus.

Comment

Example of this type:
Münzsammlung des Seminars für Alte Geschichte, Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg

Source:
Online Coins of the Roman Empire (OCRE)

Interesting fact

One interesting fact about this coin is that it features an image of Sol Invictus, the Roman sun god, on the reverse side, which was a departure from the traditional imagery of Roman coins that typically featured the emperor's portrait. This suggests that Elagabalus, the emperor who issued the coin, may have been promoting a new religious cult or ideology that emphasized the worship of Sol Invictus.