RIC IV Elagabalus 23
Record status
Individual type · research required
Issuing entity
Roman EmpireRIC IV Elagabalus 23. Denomination: Denarius. Authority: Elagabalus. Mint: Rome. The obverse shows bust of Elagabalus, laureate, draped, right, with the legend IMP ANTONINVS AVG.
The reverse shows providentia, draped, standing left, leaning left elbow on column, crossing left leg over right leg, holding wand in right hand over globe set on ground and cornucopiae in left hand, with the legend P M TR P II COS II P P.
Evidence at a glance
- Linked sources
- 2
- Photograph views
- 3
- 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
Marcus Aurelius Antoninus, known historically as Elagabalus, ruled the Roman Empire from 218 until his assassination in March 222. Related to the Severan dynasty and hailing from Emesa in Syria, he was elevated to the Principate at fourteen years of age following an army revolt against the emperor Macrinus. His brief reign saw religious controversy when he introduced the Syrian cult of the sun god Elagabal to Rome.
This silver denarius was produced at the mint of Rome. The denarius served as the standard Roman silver coin from its introduction around 211 BC until the reign of Gordian III, deriving its name from its original value of ten asses. The obverse presents the emperor with the imperial legend "IMP ANTONINVS AVG", while the reverse bears the legend "P M TR P II COS II P P" alongside a depiction of Providentia holding a wand and cornucopiae, leaning against a column above a globe.
Physical characteristics
- Material
- Silver
- Denomination
- Denarius
Technical characteristics
- Mint
- Rome
- Authority
- Elagabalus
Design
- Obverse
- Bust of Elagabalus, laureate, draped, right
- Reverse
- Providentia, draped, standing left, leaning left elbow on column, crossing left leg over right leg, holding wand in right hand over globe set on ground and cornucopiae in left hand
- Obverse legend
- IMP ANTONINVS AVG
- Reverse legend
- P M TR P II COS II P P
Identification
- Type reference
- RIC IV Elagabalus 23
- Denomination and metal
- Denarius, Silver
- Obverse legend to match
- IMP ANTONINVS AVG
- Reverse legend to match
- P M TR P II COS II 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.el.23
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.