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Roman Empire

Ruler: Geta as Augustus with Caracalla
Reigned: Caesar 198-209 AD: Augustus 209-212 AD
Denomination: Brass Sestertius
Date of Issue: Antioch 211 AD
Obverse: Cloaked, laureate bust right. "IMP CAES P SEPT GETA AVG"
Reverse: Horseman brandishing spear, galloping right, dead and kneeling enemies below. "VIRT AVG COL ANTIOCH" In exergue "SR"
Reference: A. Krzyzanowska, Monnaies coloniales d'Antioche de Pisidie, p. 166, Obv. XVIII / Rev. 33, pl. XXIV, same dies as this one, specimens in Paris and Copenhagen.
Weight: 23.5 gms
Diameter: 33.7 mm
Comment: The same type was struck for Caracalla from a different rev. die. Krzyzanowska. dates to the joint reign of Caracalla and Geta, 211 AD, since there are no corresponding coins of Septimius Severus.

Regarding the letters SR on the reverse, Krzyzanowska writes "The letters were meant to make Antioch bronzes look like Roman bronzes, Antioch's SR imitating the SC on Roman bronzes. The letters must mean Senatus Romanus, not Sestertius Romanus as D.M. Robinson suggested in 1924, given their appearance on the smaller denominations too from Gordian on."

GETA (Publius Septimius Geta)

  • Publius Septimius Geta was the younger son of Septimius Severus and Julia Domna, born 27th May 189 A.D.
  • He was made Caesar in 198, at the same time as his brother, Caracalla was made Augustus.
  • He accompanied his Father and Brother, Caracalla, on an expedition to England in 208.
  • When his father, Septimius Severus, died in at York 211, Geta became joint emperor with his older brother, Caracalla.
  • There had always been rivalry between Caracalla and Geta and one of them had to go. Both tried poison. Splitting the Empire in two was discussed.
  • In late December in 211, Caracalla managed to find a moment when he was alone with his brother and mother and seized the opportunity to murder Geta. when they were both together with Julia Domna. Geta expired on his mother's breast.

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