A radiate depiction of Mercury

[Ardatirion]

This tessera from the city of Rome is a part of a group of issues depicting a bust of Mercury, wearing his distinct winged cap, set atop a pair of cornucopiae. The reverse, as always, bears a series of letters represent the unknown issuer. But this time the engraver mistakenly gave the deity the radiate crown of Sol - visible in hand but difficult to see in the photograph. He then attempted to correct his mistake by adding a small caduceus before the bust. Both the variety and the combination of letters are unlisted in Rostovstev and the major museum collections.

ROME. 1st-3rd centuries AD
PB Tessera (19mm, 4.65 g, 11 h)
Radiate (!) head of Mercury right; caduceus before; all above crossed cornucopiae
SCO
Rostovtsev -