| Numismatica Ars Classica > Auction 144 with CNG & NGSA | Auction date: 8 May 2024 |
| Lot number: 1121 Price realized: This lot is for sale in an upcoming auction - Bid on this lot  | Show similar lots on CoinArchives Find similar lots in upcoming auctions on  |
| Lot description: The Geoffrey Cope Collection of Ancient Greek and Roman Bronzes. The Roman Empire. Caracalla, 198 – 217. Description Sestertius, Roma 210, Æ 32 mm, 27.64 g. M AVREL ANTONI – NVS PIVS AVG Laureate head r., with drapery on l. shoulder. Rev. PONTIF TR P XIII COS III S – C Mars, in military attire, striding l., holding branch and trophy. Reference C 474 var (without drapery) BMC 202 RIC 450b Condition A magnificent portrait of excellent style struck in high relief. A lovely green patina, traces of double striking and a hairline flan-crack at one o'clock on obverse, otherwise extremely fine Provenance Gorny & Mosch sale 125, 2003, 533 NAC sale 54, 2010, 497 From the Luc Girard collection. Note: Wall with the intent to exterminate the Caledonians and absorb their lands into the province of Britannia. Just as he was poised to succeed in this terrible endeavour, his father fell ill and the campaign was abandoned. Septimius Severus died at Eboracum (York) on 4 February 211, causing Caracalla to abandon operations in Britannia and make for Rome to consolidate his power. The depiction of Mars, the Roman god of war, on the reverse of this sestertius alludes to Caracalla's involvement in the events of 209-210. Mars is shown extending the olive branch of peace, which might have been available to the Caledonians if they had submitted promptly to Roman authority, while he carries a trophy of arms representing the defeat (and destruction) that would inevitably result from challenging the might of Rome in war. As it turned out, the military boast of this type was not far off from the truth. Despite its early end, the war against the Caledonians seems to have largely accomplished its aims. After 210 the Caledonians are never mentioned again in the ancient literary sources until 305, when Constantius I Chlorus claimed a victory over them in their home territory. The Caledonians subsequently disappear from history and were replaced by an apparently different people known to the Romans as Picts. Estimate: 7500 CHF |  |
