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Orbis Collectibles

RIC IV Elagabalus 87

DocumentedSupported by at least one credible specialist source.

Record status

Individual type · research required

Issuing entity

Roman Empire

RIC IV Elagabalus 87. 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 tripod, holding branch downwards in left hand; on ground, right, horn; in field, star, with the legend INVICTVS SACERDOS AVG.

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 as Elagabalus, ruled the Roman Empire from 218 to 222. Originally from a prominent Syrian family in Emesa, he had served from a young age as the head priest of the sun god Elagabal. He was raised to the imperial throne at the age of 14 after an army revolt against the emperor Macrinus, bringing the cult of Elagabal directly to Rome.

Struck at the mint of Rome, this silver coin is a denarius, the standard Roman silver denomination from the Second Punic War until the reign of Gordian III. The coin's imagery highlights the emperor's religious role, depicting him in Syrian priestly robes sacrificing over a tripod, accompanied by the reverse legend "INVICTVS SACERDOS AVG". This reflects his personal presidency over the rites of the sun god, which he made a prominent feature of religious life in Rome.

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 tripod, holding branch downwards in left hand; on ground, right, horn; in field, star
Obverse legend
IMP ANTONINVS PIVS AVG
Reverse legend
INVICTVS SACERDOS AVG

Identification

Type reference
RIC IV Elagabalus 87
Denomination and metal
Denarius, Silver
Obverse legend to match
IMP ANTONINVS PIVS AVG
Reverse legend to match
INVICTVS SACERDOS AVG
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

Varieties

  • RIC IV Elagabalus 88b

    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.
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