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Orbis Collectibles

RIC IV Elagabalus 334

DocumentedSupported by at least one credible specialist source.

Record status

Individual type · research required

Issuing entity

Roman Empire

RIC IV Elagabalus 334. Denomination: Sestertius. Authority: Elagabalus. Mint: Rome. The obverse shows bust of Elagabalus, horned, laureate, draped, cuirassed, right, with the legend IMP CAES M AVR ANTONINVS PIVS AVG.

The reverse shows elagabalus, in Syrian priestly robes, standing left, sacrificing out of patera in right hand over lighted altar, holding club in left hand; behind altar, bull crouching; in field, star, with the legend P M TR P V COS IIII P P S C.

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 retrospectively as Elagabalus, ruled the Roman Empire from 218 until his assassination in March 222. Originating from Emesa, Syria, where he had served from youth as the head priest of the sun god Elagabal, he was raised to power at age fourteen through an army revolt organised by his grandmother Julia Maesa. This bronze sestertius was produced at the mint of Rome.

During his reign, Elagabalus introduced the Syrian cult of Elagabal to Rome and presided over its rites in person. The reverse depicts him actively fulfilling these functions, showing him dressed in Syrian priestly robes and sacrificing with a patera over a lighted altar before a crouching bull, accompanied by a star and holding a club. The reverse legend "P M TR P V COS IIII P P S C" records his fifth tribunician power and fourth consulship, while the obverse presents his imperial titles as "IMP CAES M AVR ANTONINVS PIVS AVG".

Physical characteristics

Material
Bronze
Denomination
Sestertius

Technical characteristics

Mint
Rome
Authority
Elagabalus

Design

Obverse
Bust of Elagabalus, horned, laureate, draped, cuirassed, right
Reverse
Elagabalus, in Syrian priestly robes, standing left, sacrificing out of patera in right hand over lighted altar, holding club in left hand; behind altar, bull crouching; in field, star
Obverse legend
IMP CAES M AVR ANTONINVS PIVS AVG
Reverse legend
P M TR P V COS IIII P P S C

Identification

Type reference
RIC IV Elagabalus 334
Denomination and metal
Sestertius, Bronze
Obverse legend to match
IMP CAES M AVR ANTONINVS PIVS AVG
Reverse legend to match
P M TR P V COS IIII P P S C
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

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.
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