RIC IV Caracalla 253
Record status
Individual type · research required
Issuing entity
Roman EmpireRIC IV Caracalla 253. Denomination: Denarius. Authority: Caracalla. Mint: Rome. The obverse shows head of Caracalla, laureate, right, with the legend ANTONINVS PIVS AVG GERM.
The reverse shows asclepius, nude to waist, standing front, head left, holding serpent-wreathed wand; to right, Telesphorus; to right, globe, with the legend P M TR P XVIII COS IIII P P.
Evidence at a glance
- Linked sources
- 2
- Photograph views
- 8
- 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
Caracalla, born Lucius Septimius Bassianus and later named Marcus Aurelius Antoninus, was Roman emperor from 198 to 217 AD. A member of the Severan dynasty and the elder son of Septimius Severus, he initially ruled as co-emperor before becoming sole ruler in 211 AD following the murder of his brother Geta. His reign was characterised by domestic instability and external invasions by Germanic peoples.
Struck at Rome, this silver denarius formed part of the standard Roman silver coinage established during the Second Punic War. During his reign, Caracalla introduced the antoninianus, a double denarius that eventually replaced the denomination under Gordian III. The coin features the obverse legend "ANTONINVS PIVS AVG GERM" accompanying the emperor's laureate head, while the reverse depicts Asclepius holding a serpent-wreathed wand alongside Telesphorus and a globe, framed by the imperial titulature "P M TR P XVIII COS IIII P P".
Physical characteristics
- Material
- Silver
- Denomination
- Denarius
Technical characteristics
- Mint
- Rome
- Authority
- Caracalla
Design
- Obverse
- Head of Caracalla, laureate, right
- Reverse
- Asclepius, nude to waist, standing front, head left, holding serpent-wreathed wand; to right, Telesphorus; to right, globe
- Obverse legend
- ANTONINVS PIVS AVG GERM
- Reverse legend
- P M TR P XVIII COS IIII P P
Identification
- Type reference
- RIC IV Caracalla 253
- Denomination and metal
- Denarius, Silver
- Obverse legend to match
- ANTONINVS PIVS AVG GERM
- Reverse legend to match
- P M TR P XVIII COS IIII P P
- Source note
- Type description from the American Numismatic Society's Online Coins of the Roman Empire (OCRE); individual specimens differ in die, flan size, weight and wear, and legend breaks may vary.
Documentation checklist
- Denomination
- Recorded
- Issue or mint date
- Recorded
- Material
- Recorded
- Weight
- Research required
- 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
- RIC / OCREric.4.crl.253
Research required
- Editorial verification required.
- Weight, diameter and mint marks require specimen-level evidence.
- Museum specimen photographs are linked by the source; local photographs and reuse rights remain unverified.