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Orbis Collectibles

Perinthos, Caracalla, Medallion — Group of gods: Serapis (CN type 2615)

DocumentedSupported by at least one credible specialist source.

Record status

Individual type · research required

Period

AD 212–217

Issuing entity

Thrace

Medallion in bronze struck at Perinthos in Thrace under Caracalla, dated AD 212–217. Corpus Nummorum, the online type corpus of the Berlin-Brandenburg Academy of Sciences and Humanities, records it as CN type 2615 (period: Roman Imperial Period; issuing authority type: city).

Obverse: Laureate bust of Caracalla, right, wearing cuirass, aegis and spear over left shoulder; on breastplate gorgoneion. Legend: ΑVΤ Κ Μ ΑVΡ ϹЄΟVΗΡ ΑΝΤΩΝΙΝΟϹ ΑVΓ. Reverse: Group of gods: Serapis, Zeus and Hera; in the middle, Serapis standing left, wearing kalathos, holding patera and cornucopia; to left, nude Zeus standing left, holding patera and sceptre; to right, draped and veiled Hera standing left. Legend: ΠЄΡΙΝΘΙΩΝ ΝЄΩΚΟΡΩΝ.

Measured specimens give a mean weight of 32.64 g (mean of 2 recorded specimens) and a diameter of 39–41.1 mm (from 3 recorded specimens). Published references cited by the corpus: Schönert, Die Münzprägung von Perinthos, Berlin 1965, p. 200, nr. 606, pl. 35.

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

Perinthos, also known as Heraclea, was a major city of ancient Thrace situated on the Propontis. Caracalla ruled as Roman emperor from 198 to 217 AD, governing alone after the death of his father Septimius Severus and the murder of his brother Geta in 211 AD. This bronze medallion was struck by the civic authorities of Perinthos during his sole reign.

Physical characteristics

Material
bronze
Denomination
Medallion
Recorded diameter
39–41.1 mm (from 3 recorded specimens)
Recorded mean weight
32.64 g (mean of 2 recorded specimens)

Technical characteristics

Mint
Perinthos
Region
Thrace
Authority type
City
Issuing authority
Caracalla

Design

Obverse type
Laureate bust of Caracalla, right, wearing cuirass, aegis and spear over left shoulder; on breastplate gorgoneion.
Reverse type
Group of gods: Serapis, Zeus and Hera; in the middle, Serapis standing left, wearing kalathos, holding patera and cornucopia; to left, nude Zeus standing left, holding patera and sceptre; to right, draped and veiled Hera standing left.
Obverse legend
ΑVΤ Κ Μ ΑVΡ ϹЄΟVΗΡ ΑΝΤΩΝΙΝΟϹ ΑVΓ
Reverse legend
ΠЄΡΙΝΘΙΩΝ ΝЄΩΚΟΡΩΝ

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/2615
Type corpus identifier
CN type 2615

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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