Nikopolis ad Mestum, Caracalla, 5 unit — Eagle standing right on altar (CN type 11829)
Record status
Individual type · research required
Period
AD 209–212
Issuing entity
Thrace5 unit in bronze struck at Nikopolis ad Mestum in Thrace under Caracalla, dated AD 209–212. Corpus Nummorum, the online type corpus of the Berlin-Brandenburg Academy of Sciences and Humanities, records it as CN type 11829 (period: Roman Imperial Period; issuing authority type: city).
Obverse: Laureate bust of bearded Caracalla, right. Legend: ΑVΤ Κ Μ ΑVΡΗ ΑΝΤΩΝΕΙΝΟϹ. Reverse: Eagle standing right on altar, wings spread, holding a wreath in beak. Legend: ΟVΛΠ ΝΙΚΟΠΟΛΕΩϹ ΠΡΟϹ ΜΕϹΤΩ. Measured specimens give a mean weight of 14.84 g (mean of 2 recorded specimens) and a diameter of 28.8–31 mm (from 2 recorded specimens). Published references cited by the corpus: Komnick, Die Münzprägung von Nicopolis ad Mestum: Griechisches Münzwerk, Berlin 2003, p. 57, nr. 10; Komnick, Die Münzprägung von Nicopolis ad Mestum: Griechisches Münzwerk, Berlin 2003, p. 57, nr. 10.
Evidence at a glance
- Linked sources
- 3
- Photograph views
- 1
- Catalogue references
- 2
Counts describe this entry’s documentation, not authenticity, rarity or completeness. Photographs may show one specimen; check each caption and licence.
Historical context
This coin was issued by the Roman town of Nicopolis ad Mestum, situated in the province of Thrace near the modern village of Garmen on the left bank of the Mesta river. Known on its coinage as Nicopolis ad Mestum, the town struck this issue during the reign of the Severan emperor Caracalla. Caracalla, born Lucius Septimius Bassianus and later named Marcus Aurelius Antoninus, was made co-ruler by his father Septimius Severus in 198 alongside his brother Geta, who became co-ruler in 209. Following the death of Septimius Severus in 211, Caracalla had Geta murdered and ruled alone until his death in 217.
Physical characteristics
- Material
- bronze
- Denomination
- 5 unit
- Recorded diameter
- 28.8–31 mm (from 2 recorded specimens)
- Recorded mean weight
- 14.84 g (mean of 2 recorded specimens)
Technical characteristics
- Mint
- Nikopolis ad Mestum
- Region
- Thrace
- Authority type
- City
- Issuing authority
- Caracalla
Design
- Obverse type
- Laureate bust of bearded Caracalla, right.
- Reverse type
- Eagle standing right on altar, wings spread, holding a wreath in beak.
- Obverse legend
- ΑVΤ Κ Μ ΑVΡΗ ΑΝΤΩΝΕΙΝΟϹ
- Reverse legend
- ΟVΛΠ ΝΙΚΟΠΟΛΕΩϹ ΠΡΟϹ ΜΕϹΤΩ
Identification
- Period
- Roman Imperial Period
- How to identify
- Check the mint name or ethnic, the reverse type and the legend together, then compare weight and module; types from the same mint often differ only in legend arrangement, magistrate names or control marks.
- Type corpus record
- https://www.corpus-nummorum.eu/types/11829
- Type corpus identifier
- CN type 11829
Documentation checklist
- Denomination
- Recorded
- Issue or mint date
- Recorded
- Material
- Recorded
- Weight
- Recorded
- Mint or printer
- Recorded
- Mint or printer mark
- Research required
- Catalogue reference
- Recorded
- Attached photograph (check rights)
- Recorded
Recorded means a field is present, not independently verified. Read its wording, supporting source and the entry’s confidence level.
Catalogue references
- Corpus Nummorum bibliographyp. 57, nr. 10
- Corpus Nummorum bibliographyp. 57, nr. 10
Research required
- No rights-cleared photograph attached yet