Caracalla FIDES PVBLICA left

[Lerian]

A coin that is thought as to be considered rare as Fides is standing left, or head left,
rather than the normal right.

Just a minor variant (as the BM footnote says) but still interesting.


Caracalla

IMP CAE M AVR ANT AVG P TRP
Older boy's laureate bust draped right.

FIDES  PV_BLICA
Fides standing front, head left, holding two corn-ears and plate of fruit.

Rome AD 198     3.07g     RSC: 82b     RIC: 24A     BMC: 102, note, page 171

[curtislclay]

I'd say that's the Eastern New-Style mint ("Laodicea"), like the two other specimens I have noted, one in Vienna (different dies), the other in a sale catalogue I think, I'll have to check my notes at the office again tomorrow.

Not historically or numismatically significant, but still notably different from the ordinary type, and very rare!

The second specimen I had noted: Spink/Taisei/NAC 51, 1994, lot 181.

[Lerian]

Thank you Curtis,

and that was unexpected.

I will make a note that it is from Laodicea. I wonder now if this variation exists for Rome?

[curtislclay]

The three seen so far are all "Laodicea".

So we may assume the one in Reka Devnia was "Laodicea" too, unless a Rome-mint specimen turns up, which would of course prove that the same Fides left type was struck at both mints!

[Lerian]

Another example purchased this week.

18mm     3.21g