Lot 2150

Description

Elagabalus, (A.D. 218-222), silver denarius, Eastern mint (Antioch), issued A.D. 218-9, obv. laureate bust of Elagabalus to right, around ANTONINVS PIVS FEL AVG, rev. galley with sail to right with eight rowers, at stern a pilot, acrostolium and standard, at prow, furled sail or vexillum, above FELICITAS, below TEMP, (S.2095, RIC 188, BMC 277). Very fine and scarce.

Another interesting ship coin reverse, this being a galley with sail and additional ship crew and features. The attractive naval type is clearly symbolic of the emperor's journey to Rome from the East, a slow progress which was not completed until A.D. 219. This was the first time that the imperial capital had seen its master since Caracalla's departure for the eastern frontier five years earlier.