Coins, Tokens, Historical Medals and Paper Money

Roman Imperial Coinage, Caracalla, Aureus, Rome, 198, laureate, draped and cuirassed bust right, rev. Spes standing left, holding flower and gathering hem of dress, 7.27g (Calicó 2820; RIC 26b). Edge irregularity at 9 o’clock, otherwise extremely fine, rare £16,000-20,000

The obverse depicts a charming portrait of the youthful Caracalla, aged around ten or eleven, in military dress, while the reverse shows Spes, the personification of hope, and alludes to the expectation that the young heir might perpetuate a stable dynasty and strong government