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Topeiros, Caracalla, Double unit — Bearded river-god reclining left (CN type 21017)

DocumentedSupported by at least one credible specialist source.

Record status

Individual type · research required

Period

AD 197–217

Issuing entity

Thrace

Double unit in bronze struck at Topeiros in Thrace under Caracalla, dated AD 197–217. Corpus Nummorum, the online type corpus of the Berlin-Brandenburg Academy of Sciences and Humanities, records it as CN type 21017 (period: Roman Imperial Period; issuing authority type: city).

Obverse: Laureate bust of Caracalla, right, wearing cuirass and paludamentum. Legend: ΑV Κ Μ ΑV ΑΝΤΩΝΙΝ. Reverse: Bearded river-god (Nestos) reclining left, holding reed in right hand, resting on water-urn. Legend: ΤΟΠΕΙΡΕΙΤΩΝ. Measured specimens give a mean weight of 4.26 g (mean of 2 recorded specimens) and a diameter of 18 mm (from 1 recorded specimen). Published references cited by the corpus: Varbanov, Greek Imperial Coins and their Values II 2. Thrace (from Abdera to Pautalia), Bourgas 2005, p. 286, nr. 2690.

Evidence at a glance

Linked sources
3
Photograph views
1
Catalogue references
1

Counts describe this entry’s documentation, not authenticity, rarity or completeness. Photographs may show one specimen; check each caption and licence.

Historical context

Caracalla, born Lucius Septimius Bassianus and named Marcus Aurelius Antoninus, was Roman emperor from 198 to 217 AD. He first served as co-emperor alongside his father, Septimius Severus, before ruling alone after 211 AD following the murder of his brother Geta. His reign featured domestic instability and external incursions, alongside notable measures including the Antonine Constitution, which extended Roman citizenship to free inhabitants across the empire. This bronze civic issue was struck during his reign at the city of Topeiros in Thrace.

Physical characteristics

Material
bronze
Denomination
Double unit
Recorded diameter
18 mm (from 1 recorded specimens)
Recorded mean weight
4.26 g (mean of 2 recorded specimens)

Technical characteristics

Mint
Topeiros
Region
Thrace
Authority type
City
Issuing authority
Caracalla

Design

Obverse type
Laureate bust of Caracalla, right, wearing cuirass and paludamentum.
Reverse type
Bearded river-god (Nestos) reclining left, holding reed in right hand, resting on water-urn.
Obverse legend
ΑV Κ Μ ΑV ΑΝΤΩΝΙΝ
Reverse legend
ΤΟΠΕΙΡΕΙΤΩΝ

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/21017
Type corpus identifier
CN type 21017

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

Research required

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