RIC IV Elagabalus 49
Record status
Individual type · research required
Issuing entity
Roman EmpireRIC IV Elagabalus 49. Denomination: Denarius. Authority: Elagabalus. Mint: Rome. The obverse shows bust of Elagabalus, horned, laureate, draped, right, with the legend IMP ANTONINVS PIVS AVG.
The reverse shows elagabalus, in Syrian priestly robes, standing left, sacrificing out of patera in right hand over lighted altar, and holding branch (of cypress ?) in left hand; to right, two standards; in left field, star, with the legend P M TR P IIII COS III 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
Elagabalus, born Varius Avitus Bassianus, ruled as Roman emperor from 218 until his assassination in March 222. Originally from a prominent Syrian Arab family in Emesa, where he served from youth as head priest of the sun god Elagabal, he was raised to power at age fourteen through an army revolt instigated by Julia Maesa. He brought the cult of Elagabal to Rome, personally presiding over its religious rites.
Struck at the Rome mint, this silver denarius represents the standard Roman silver denomination in circulation from c. 211 BC until the mid-third century. The obverse depicts the emperor under the imperial title "IMP ANTONINVS PIVS AVG", while the reverse records his fourth tribunician power and third consulship in the legend "P M TR P IIII COS III P P". The reverse imagery highlights his priesthood, presenting the emperor in Syrian priestly robes sacrificing over an altar with two standards nearby and a star in the field.
Physical characteristics
- Material
- Silver
- Denomination
- Denarius
Technical characteristics
- Mint
- Rome
- Authority
- Elagabalus
Design
- Obverse
- Bust of Elagabalus, horned, laureate, draped, right
- Reverse
- Elagabalus, in Syrian priestly robes, standing left, sacrificing out of patera in right hand over lighted altar, and holding branch (of cypress ?) in left hand; to right, two standards; in left field, star
- Obverse legend
- IMP ANTONINVS PIVS AVG
- Reverse legend
- P M TR P IIII COS III P P
Identification
- Type reference
- RIC IV Elagabalus 49
- Denomination and metal
- Denarius, Silver
- Obverse legend to match
- IMP ANTONINVS PIVS AVG
- Reverse legend to match
- P M TR P IIII COS III 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.49
Varieties
RIC IV Elagabalus 46b
Near-identical catalogue variant (same obverse and reverse legends, type and denomination, differing only in minor marks or bust detail); consolidated into this entry.
RIC IV Elagabalus 46d
Near-identical catalogue variant (same obverse and reverse legends, type and denomination, differing only in minor marks or bust detail); consolidated into this entry.
RIC IV Elagabalus 51
Near-identical catalogue variant (same obverse and reverse legends, type and denomination, differing only in minor marks or bust detail); consolidated into this entry.
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.