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Orbis Collectibles

RIC IV Elagabalus 335

DocumentedSupported by at least one credible specialist source.

Record status

Individual type · research required

Issuing entity

Roman Empire

RIC IV Elagabalus 335. Denomination: Dupondius. Authority: Elagabalus. Mint: Rome. The obverse shows bust of Elagabalus, radiate, draped, 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 posthumously as Elagabalus, ruled the Roman Empire from 218 until his assassination in March 222. Originally from Emesa, Syria, where he had served as the head priest of the sun god Elagabal, he was raised to the Principate at fourteen years of age following an army revolt against Macrinus. His short reign in Rome was marked by intense religious controversy.

During the Roman Empire, the dupondius functioned as a coin valued at two asses, or half of a sestertius, and was typically distinguished from the as by the radiate crown adorning the emperor's portrait. Struck at the Rome mint, this piece bears the obverse title "IMP CAES M AVR ANTONINVS PIVS AVG". The reverse depicts the emperor in Syrian priestly robes performing a sacrifice over a lighted altar, accompanied by a crouching bull and a star, with the legend "P M TR P V COS IIII P P S C", reflecting his role presiding over religious rites after introducing the cult of Elagabal to Rome.

Physical characteristics

Material
Bronze
Denomination
Dupondius

Technical characteristics

Mint
Rome
Authority
Elagabalus

Design

Obverse
Bust of Elagabalus, radiate, draped, 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 335
Denomination and metal
Dupondius, 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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