★ Excellent portrait with “horn” ★

Elagabalus (218-222), AR Denarius, issued 221-222. Rome, 4.11g, 19.5mm.
Obv: IMP ANTONINVS PIVS AVG, laureate, draped bust with 'horn' right.
Rev: SACERD DEI SOLIS ELAGAB, emperor in Syrian priestly robes, standing right, before altar, holding upright club and patera; star in right field.
RIC 131

Issued toward the end of his reign when the Roman people (especially the elites) were tiring of his erratic behaviour and Eastern religion. This coin depicts him wearing the “horn” that seems to be an accoutrement of his role as Priest of Elagabal, something that always sparks much discussion on CoinTalk.com, especially the possibility defended by one historian that it was in fact a bull’s penis. (We are skeptical!)