Lot 5412

Description

Elagabalus, (A.D. 218-222), silver denarius, Rome mint, issued A.D. 221, (3.05 grams), obv. laureate beardless bust of Elagabalus draped to right, divine horn projecting over his forehead, around [IMP] ANTONINVS PIVS AVG, rev. around P M TR P IIII COS III P P, Elagabalus in Syrian priestly robes standing left, sacrificing over altar, bull's head at feet, weakly struck star in left field, (cf.S.7536, RIC 46, RSC 197a). Lightly toned, slightly off centre on obverse, very fine or better and a very rare early variant.

Ex Harlan Berk with ticket. This is the very rare early variant that was later changed to depict an altar in place of the bull’s head. It was apparently first published in the Hess-Leu auction 41 in 1969. C.Clay records only four specimens known, making this the fifth.