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Orbis Collectibles

Perinthos, Caracalla, Medallion — Emperor receiving the apples of the Hesperides from Heracles (CN type 2620)

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 2620 (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: Emperor (Caracalla) receiving the apples of the Hesperides from Heracles; to left, emperor standing right, holding sceptre in right hand; to right, Heracles standing left, holding apples of the Hesperides and club; inbetween, altar. Legend: ΠЄΡΙΝΘΙΩΝ ΝЄΩΚΟΡΩΝ.

Measured specimens give a mean weight of 39.63 g (mean of 6 recorded specimens) and a diameter of 38.8–42 mm (from 5 recorded specimens). Published references cited by the corpus: Schönert, Die Münzprägung von Perinthos, Berlin 1965, p. 200-201, nr. 609, pl. 36; Varbanov, Greek Imperial Coins and their Values III Band 3, Thrace (from Perinthus to Trajanopolis), 2007, p. 39, nr. 251.

Evidence at a glance

Linked sources
4
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

Perinthos, also known as Perinthus or Heraclea, was a flourishing ancient city of Thrace located on the Propontis, near modern Marmara Ereğlisi in Turkey. Caracalla ruled the Roman Empire from 198 to 217 AD, governing as sole emperor following the murder of his brother Geta in 211. His reign was marked by domestic instability, the issuance of the Antonine Constitution, and military campaigns until his assassination in 217.

Physical characteristics

Material
bronze
Denomination
Medallion
Recorded diameter
38.8–42 mm (from 5 recorded specimens)
Recorded mean weight
39.63 g (mean of 6 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
Emperor (Caracalla) receiving the apples of the Hesperides from Heracles; to left, emperor standing right, holding sceptre in right hand; to right, Heracles standing left, holding apples of the Hesperides and club; inbetween, altar.
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/2620
Type corpus identifier
CN type 2620

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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