Ancient Coins

Roman Imperial coins, Elagabalus (218-222), Aureus, uncertain Eastern mint, Nicomedia (?), c. 218, IMP C M AVR ANTONINVS P F AVG, laureate, draped and cuirassed bust of right, rev. SANCT DEO SOLI ELAGABAL, slow quadriga right, bearing the sacred stone of Emesa surmounted by eagle, surrounded by four parasols, 7014g/11h (RIC 143b [Rome]; BMC 273 [Antioch]; Kent-Hirmer 414 [Nicomedia]; Calicó 3033 [Antioch]). Extremely fine with lustre £15,000-20,000

Provenance: Ex Numismatic Fine Arts

Elagabalus’ first winter was passed in Nicomedia, the likely mint for this remarkable issue depicting the departure of the cult-stone of Ba’al from Emesa that accompanied the emperor to Rome.

Description should read: Aureus, uncertain Eastern mint, Nicomedia (?), c. 218, IMP C M AVR ANTONINVS P F AVG, laureate, draped and cuirassed bust of right, rev. SANCT DEO SOLI ELAGABAL, slow quadriga right, bearing the sacred stone of Emesa surmounted by eagle, surrounded by four parasols, 7.14g/11h (RIC 143b [Rome]; BMC 273 [Antioch]; Kent-Hirmer 414 [Nicomedia]; Calicó 3033 [Antioch]). Damage on face,otherwise extremely fine with lustre £15,000-20,000. Provenance: Bt Numismatic Fine Arts