Caracalla and Cerberus

[Henrik Möller]

Hello

I have a question about the following coin.

The reverse depicts a seated divinity, Minos, Pluto or Serapis, with Cerberus at its feet. This type exists as a denarius with the titles P M TR P XVIII COS IIII P P, RIC 261a, but I can not find any coins of this type from the following year, XVIIII, only the antoninianus, RIC 279 and a denarius with the minotaur instead of Cerberus, RIC 279A. Is this type previously unknown with the titles P M TR P XVIIII COS IIII P P or has it just not been mentioned in the major references?

Thank you for reading!

[curtislclay]

In my opinion there is only one type, Serapis seated wearing kalathos on his head, three-headed beast at his feet.

TR P XVIIII denarii with this type are indeed rare. My manuscript silver catalogue, certainly far from complete, lists three specimens, yours is now the fourth:

Reka Devnia pl. IV, 61, the coin cited by RIC 279A.

My coll. ex Rauch 65, 2000, lot 490. From the same rev. die as your example.

My coll., ex Solidus, eBay, 2015.

[okidoki]

very nice example 

[OldMoney]

If I may offer this addition, this is an example of an As from the same issue.
Curtis, you may recall this from some years ago (perhaps via Numism-L), when
you very kindly assisted me with some additional details for this particular piece.

- Walter

[Henrik Möller]

Thank you, the answers have been very helpful.

Henrik Möller

[Meepzorp]

Hi HM,

Nice rare coin!!!

Since we are discussing a coin depicting a cerberus (among other things), I have a Roman Provincial coin issued by Gordian III with a similar reverse (scroll down, last coin):

https://www.forumancientcoins.com/meepzorp/rp_moesia_niko_pt06.htm

I never knew that a Roman Imperial denarius existed depicting this reverse. I've never seen one before.

Meepzorp

[Lerian]

And another example, purchased a few days ago.

Same dies?

[shanxi]

Same dies?

Yes, obverse and reverse die match