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Elagabal RIC IV, 188
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Elagabal AD 218-222
AR - Denarius, 3.26gm, 19mm
struck 218-219 AD at Antioch mint
obv. ANTONINVS PIVS FEL AVG
bust, draped and cuirassed, seen from behind, laureate, r.
rev. FELICIT - AS / TEMP (in ex.)
Galley, mast and sail in the midth, with eight oarsmen, going r.(!). Seven oars
to see, and rudder at stern; waves below. On stern boatswain beside the ship's
cabin. Stern decorated with standard and acrostolium. On prow oblique mast.
RIC IV/2, 188; C. 27; BMC 277 var.
Scarce, EF, well struck on an ample flan, attractive portrait for this type.
The reverse type portrays the galley bearing Elagabalus and the sacred Stone of Emesa on the emperor's slow journey from Elagabalus' home in Emesa to Rome, undertaken 218-219 AD after the Syrian legions and Macrinus' deserting forces won the military victory that assured Elagabalus' place as Augustus.
On the ship the Holy Stone is not to see !(Curtis Clay)
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