Skip to content
Orbis Collectibles

Serdika, Caracalla, 4 unit — Athena enthroned left (CN type 531)

DocumentedSupported by at least one credible specialist source.

Record status

Individual type · research required

Period

AD 197–217

Issuing entity

Thrace

4 unit in bronze struck at Serdika 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 531 (period: Roman Imperial Period; issuing authority type: city).

Obverse: Laureate bust of bearded Caracalla, right. Legend: ΑVΤ Κ Μ ΑVΡΗ ϹΕVΗ ΑΝΤΩΝΕΙΝΟϹ. Reverse: Athena enthroned left, holding patera in right hand, feeding serpent entwined around olive-tree in front of her; behind her, owl sitting on shield. Legend: ΟVΛΠΙΑϹ ϹΕΡΔΙΚΗϹ. Measured specimens give a mean weight of 15.84 g (from 1 recorded specimen) and a diameter of 29–30 mm (from 2 recorded specimens). Published references cited by the corpus: Ruzicka, Die Münzen von Serdica 8, Vienna 1915, p. 39, nr. 209-212; Hristova, Monetosečeneto na Trakija I-III v.: Serdika = The coins of Thrace I-III c. A.C.: Serdica, Blagoevgrad 2007, p. 67, nr. 12.18.4.12-14; Varbanov, Greek Imperial Coins and their Values III Band 3, Thrace (from Perinthus to Trajanopolis), 2007, p. 244, nr. 2210.

Evidence at a glance

Linked sources
5
Photograph views
1
Catalogue references
3

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

Historical context

This civic coin was struck in Thrace at Serdica, an ancient Roman city located at modern Sofia, Bulgaria. It dates to the reign of Roman emperor Caracalla, born Lucius Septimius Bassianus and later named Marcus Aurelius Antoninus, who belonged to the Severan dynasty. Caracalla was proclaimed co-ruler by his father Septimius Severus in 198 and ruled until his assassination in 217, having governed as sole emperor after the death of his father and the murder of his brother Geta in 211.

Physical characteristics

Material
bronze
Denomination
4 unit
Recorded diameter
29–30 mm (from 2 recorded specimens)
Recorded mean weight
15.84 g (mean of 1 recorded specimens)

Technical characteristics

Mint
Serdika
Region
Thrace
Authority type
City
Issuing authority
Caracalla

Design

Obverse type
Laureate bust of bearded Caracalla, right.
Reverse type
Athena enthroned left, holding patera in right hand, feeding serpent entwined around olive-tree in front of her; behind her, owl sitting on shield.
Obverse legend
ΑVΤ Κ Μ ΑVΡΗ ϹΕVΗ ΑΝΤΩΝΕΙΝΟϹ
Reverse legend
ΟVΛΠΙΑϹ ϹΕΡΔΙΚΗϹ

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/531
Type corpus identifier
CN type 531

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

  • Photograph reuse terms to be confirmed with the holding institution
Can you source one of these? Submit a reference