Topeiros, Caracalla, 3 unit — Heracles seated left on rock covered with lion skin (CN type 21802)
Record status
Individual type · research required
Period
AD 198–217
Issuing entity
Thrace3 unit in bronze struck at Topeiros in Thrace under Caracalla, dated AD 198–217. Corpus Nummorum, the online type corpus of the Berlin-Brandenburg Academy of Sciences and Humanities, records it as CN type 21802 (period: Roman Imperial Period; issuing authority type: city).
Obverse: Laureate bust of bearded Caracalla, right. Legend: ΑVΤ Κ Μ ΑVΡ - ΑΝΤΩΝΙΝΟϹ. Reverse: Heracles seated left on rock covered with lion skin, holding club in right hand, left resting on rock. Legend: ΟVΛΠΙΑϹ ΤΟΠΙΡΟV. Measured specimens give a mean weight of 8.56 g (mean of 8 recorded specimens) and a diameter of 22.5–27 mm (from 8 recorded specimens). Published references cited by the corpus: Varbanov, Greek Imperial Coins and their Values III Band 3, Thrace (from Perinthus to Trajanopolis), 2007, p. 283, nr. 2675.
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
Marcus Aurelius Antoninus, known by the nickname Caracalla, was Roman emperor from 198 to 217 AD. A member of the Severan dynasty, he initially served as co-emperor alongside his father Septimius Severus before ruling alone from 211 AD following the murder of his brother Geta. His reign over the Roman Empire saw the widespread granting of citizenship and the introduction of new coinage. This bronze issue was struck under his authority between AD 198 and 217 by the city of Topeiros in Thrace.
Physical characteristics
- Material
- bronze
- Denomination
- 3 unit
- Recorded diameter
- 22.5–27 mm (from 8 recorded specimens)
- Recorded mean weight
- 8.56 g (mean of 8 recorded specimens)
Technical characteristics
- Mint
- Topeiros
- Region
- Thrace
- Authority type
- City
- Issuing authority
- Caracalla
Design
- Obverse type
- Laureate bust of bearded Caracalla, right.
- Reverse type
- Heracles seated left on rock covered with lion skin, holding club in right hand, left resting on rock.
- Obverse legend
- ΑVΤ Κ Μ ΑVΡ - ΑΝΤΩΝΙΝΟϹ
- Reverse legend
- ΟVΛΠΙΑϹ ΤΟΠΙΡΟV
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/21802
- Type corpus identifier
- CN type 21802
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. 283, nr. 2675
Research required
- Photograph reuse terms to be confirmed with the holding institution