★ A rare aureus of Caracalla ★

Caracalla, 198-217. Aureus (Gold, 22 mm, 6.44 g, 7 h), Rome, 10 December 216-8 April 217. ANTONINVS PIVS AVG GERM Laureate and cuirassed bust of Caracalla to right. Rev. P M TR P XX COS IIII P P Serapis standing front, head to left, holding wreath of grain ears in his right hand and long scepter in his left. BMC 186 note. Calicó 2761. Cohen 381 var. (differing bust type). RIC 289b. Rare. A bold and attractive piece struck on a very broad flan and with a splendid portrait. Scratch on the obverse and with a thin flan crack and traces of mounting, otherwise, nearly extremely fine.

From the collection of an Armenian businessman, ex Künker 226, 11 March 2013, 877.

This is one of Caracalla's last aurei, struck in the short period of time between the beginning of his 20th tribunicia potestas on 10 December 216 and his murder on 8 April 217 in Carrhae. The reverse shows Serapis with an unusual attribute, a wreath of grain ears, likely a syncretistic combination of the wreath of Victory and Laetitia with the grain ears of Ceres and Annona.