| Numismatica Ars Classica > Auction 144 with CNG & NGSA | Auction date: 8 May 2024 |
| Lot number: 1122 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 33 mm, 24.70 g. M – AVREL ANTONI – NVS PIVS AVG Laureate bust r., with drapery on l. shoulder. Rev. PONTIF TR P XIII COS III Caracalla and Geta standing facing each other sacrificing out of patera over altar; in background, Concordia, veiled. In exergue, S C. Reference C 489 var. (no drapery) BMC 205 RIC 452b Condition Rare. A lovely untouched light green patina, minor double-striking on reverse, otherwise about extremely fine / good very fine Provenance NAC sale 52, 2009, 518 Note: The message conveyed by this rare sestertius is a complete lie. The scene of Caracalla and his brother Geta sacrificing while Concordia stands behind them gives the impression of the stable and united imperial family that was such a cornerstone of Severan numismatic propaganda, but the real truth was that Caracalla and Geta hated each other. Caracalla had held the rank of Augustus alongside his father, Septimius Severus, since 198, his younger brother Geta was elevated to the same status in October 209 (probably only a few months before this coin was struck) which fanned the bitterness between the brothers. Geta resented having to wait a decade before being granted imperial power equal to that of his older brother while Caracalla resented that his little brother now had the same authority as he did. Despite this bitterness, the two brothers are shown here making sacrifice, probably in advance of the new campaign against the Caledonians that they undertook with their father in 210. Unfortunately, the campaign was cut short when Severus fell ill and was forced to withdraw from Caledonian territory to Eboracum (York) in northern Britannia. When he died on 4 February 211, Caracalla and Geta were left to rule the empire on their own. Without their father to force cooperation between the brothers all pretence of concord quickly fell away. They argued constantly on the return to Rome from Britannia and even considered dividing the empire between them. Their mother, Julia Domna, advised against this, and worked to arrange a reconciliation between Caracalla and Geta. At last, on 26 December 211, the two came to a meeting at which they were to work out their differences in the presence of their mother. Caracalla, however, brought members of the Praetorian Guard with him and had Geta struck down on the spot. He died, cradled in the arms of the hapless Julia Domna. So much for Concordia and the image of the happy imperial family. Estimate: 3500 CHF |  |
