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Caracalla, 28 January 198 - 8 April 217 A.D.
Sol Invictus ("Unconquered Sun") was the sun god of the later Roman Empire and a patron of soldiers. In 274 the Roman emperor Aurelian made it an official cult alongside the traditional Roman cults. The god was favored by emperors after Aurelian and appeared on their coins until Constantine. The last inscription referring to Sol Invictus dates to 387 and there were enough devotees in the 5th century that Augustine found it necessary to preach against them. The date 25 December was selected for Christmas to replace the popular Roman festival Dies Natalis Solis Invicti, the "Birthday of the Unconquered Sun."MA95648. Silver antoninianus, RIC IV 265c; RSC III 289; BMCRE V p. 462, 141; SRCV II 6773 var. (bust from behind); Hunter III -, F, broad flan, a little rough, Rome mint, weight 5.713g, maximum diameter 23.1mm, die axis 0o, 215 A.D.; obverse ANTONINVS PIVS AVG GERM, radiate, draped, and cuirassed bust right, seen from the front; reverse P M TR P XVIII COS IIII P P (high priest, holder of Tribunitian power for 19 years, consul 4 times, father of the country), Sol mounting quadriga left, horses prancing, Sol radiate, nude except for chlamys on shoulders and flying behind, whip in left hand; very scarce; SOLD
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