Elagabalus Sestertius
RIC IV Elagabalus 318d · 221 AD · Rome
Obverse
Reverse
Münzkabinett, Staatliche Museen zu Berlin
Obverse
IMP CAES M AVR ANTONINVS PIVS AVG
Bust of Elagabalus, laureate, draped, cuirassed, right
Reverse
P M TR P IIII COS III P P S C
Sol, radiate, naked except for cloak over left shoulder, advancing left, raising right hand and holding whip in left hand; in field, star
About This Type
This RIC IV Elagabalus 318d is a sestertius of Elagabalus (221 AD), struck at the Rome mint. The reverse depicts Sol, radiate, naked except for cloak over left shoulder, advancing left, raising right hand and holding whip in left hand; in field, star. Struck in bronze at a standard weight of 24.59g, 32mm diameter.
About the Sestertius
The sestertius was the large brass prestige coin of the Roman imperial series, typically 25–28 grams and 30–35mm in diameter. Its size gave engravers room for the finest portrait art and most detailed reverse compositions in Roman coinage. Sestertii bear the SC mark indicating senatorial authority over base metal coinage.
About the Rome Mint
The Rome mint was the principal mint of the Roman state from the Republic through the fall of the Western Empire. It produced the vast majority of gold and silver coinage and was the only mint for much of the first and second centuries AD.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is RIC IV Elagabalus 318d?
- RIC IV Elagabalus 318d is a Bronze Sestertius of Elagabalus (221 AD) struck at the Rome mint cataloged under RIC vol. IV no. IV Elagabalus 318d.
- How do you identify RIC IV Elagabalus 318d?
- The obverse depicts Bust of Elagabalus, laureate, draped, cuirassed, right with the inscription IMP CAES M AVR ANTONINVS PIVS AVG. The reverse depicts Sol, radiate, naked except for cloak over left shoulder, advancing left, raising right hand and holding whip in left hand; in field, star with the inscription P M TR P IIII COS III P P S C. Portrait type: laureate.
- What are the physical specifications of RIC IV Elagabalus 318d?
- RIC IV Elagabalus 318d was struck in Bronze, standard weight 24.59g, diameter 32mm, die axis 12 h, struck.
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