About this artwork
The front (obverse) of this coin portrays the profile head of Emperor Caracalla facing right, laureate, and wearing a cuirass(body armor) and paludamentum (military cloak). The back (reverse) shows the deity Victory, partly draped, advancing left, and holding a wreath and palm.
This coin showing the 16 year old prince was issued by his father, Emperor Septimius Severus. The inscription details the honor (Pontifex - “priest”) and powers (Tribunitian) that the emperor had granted to his son six years earlier. The reverse image shows a winged Victory offering a wreath and palm frond to celebrate the emperor’s “Great Parthian Victory”, spelled out in the inscription.
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Status
- Currently Off View
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Department
- Arts of the Ancient Mediterranean and Byzantium
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Culture
- Ancient Roman
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Title
- Aureus (Coin) Portraying Emperor Caracalla
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Place
- Rome (Minted in)
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Date
- 204 CE
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Medium
- Gold
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Inscriptions
- Obverse: ANTON.P.AVG PON TR P VII "Antoninus Pius Augustus, Pontif, holding Tribunican Power for Seventh Time" Reverse: VICT PART.MAX "Great Parthian Victory"
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Dimensions
- Diam.: 2.1 cm (7/8 in.)
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Credit Line
- Gift of Martin A. Ryerson
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Reference Number
- 1922.4884
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IIIF Manifest
- https://api.artic.edu/api/v1/artworks/5667/manifest.json
Extended information about this artwork
Object information is a work in progress and may be updated as new research findings emerge. To help improve this record, please email . Information about image downloads and licensing is available here.