#033
A new description for
HrHJ (2020) No. 8.26.53.5
My friend
Peter Burbules recently drew my attention to the following: The coin
Elagabal HrHJ (2020) 8.26.53.5 "
Elagabal,
lion walking r." differs considerably from
his other
types showing a
lion. While the mane of the others is very smooth, the hairs of this one are shaggy and stand up. If one compares this picture with the
Denarius Caracalla,
RIC VI, 283c "
Lion,
radiate, walking l., carriyng
thunderbolt in jaws", the great similarity is striking. Even the 3 rays from the throat of the
lion on Elagabal's coin remind of the rays of the
thunderbolt! The picture on Caracalla's coin symbolizes the sun god El Gabal of
Emesa. Since
Elagabal himself was the high priest of El Gabal, it is quite possible that the coin from
Nikopolis took over this allusion.
I think that this assumption has a lot of
merit. Then the description should have to be changed to "
Lion,
radiate, walking r.".
Pic #1 coll. Hoeft
Pic #2
CNG, The Coins
ShopBest regards