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Orbis Collectibles

Serdika, Caracalla, 4 unit — Nude Heracles reclining left on lion walking right (CN type 621)

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 621 (period: Roman Imperial Period; issuing authority type: city).

Obverse: Laureate bust of bearded Caracalla, right, wearing cuirass and paludamentum. Legend: ΑVΤ Κ Μ ΑVΡΗ ΑΝΤΩΝΕΙΝΟϹ. Reverse: Nude Heracles reclining left on lion walking right, holding club in left hand; opposite to left, Eros, confronting him. Legend: ϹΕΡΔΙΚΗϹ. Measured specimens give a mean weight of 18.01 g (from 1 recorded specimen). Published references cited by the corpus: Ruzicka, Die Münzen von Serdica 8, Vienna 1915, p. 47, nr. 275, annot. Geflügelter Eros von Ruzicka als Nike interpretiert.; Hristova, Monetosečeneto na Trakija I-III v.: Serdika = The coins of Thrace I-III c. A.C.: Serdica, Blagoevgrad 2007, p. 91, nr. 12.18.14.11; Varbanov, Greek Imperial Coins and their Values III Band 3, Thrace (from Perinthus to Trajanopolis), 2007, p. 256, nr. 2356-2357.

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 issue was produced at Serdica in Thrace, an ancient Roman city located where Sofia, Bulgaria, stands today. It was struck under Caracalla, born Lucius Septimius Bassianus and a member of the Severan dynasty, who ruled as Roman emperor from 198 until his assassination in 217. Initially appointed co-ruler by his father Septimius Severus, Caracalla later ruled as sole emperor following the death of his father and the murder of his brother Geta in 211.

Physical characteristics

Material
bronze
Denomination
4 unit
Recorded mean weight
18.01 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, wearing cuirass and paludamentum.
Reverse type
Nude Heracles reclining left on lion walking right, holding club in left hand; opposite to left, Eros, confronting him.
Obverse legend
ΑVΤ Κ Μ ΑVΡΗ ΑΝΤΩΝΕΙΝΟϹ
Reverse legend
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/621
Type corpus identifier
CN type 621

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

  • Diameter not recorded in the source corpus
  • Photograph reuse terms to be confirmed with the holding institution
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