Coin — Aureus of Elagabalus, Rome, 221 AD
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
221 AD
Coin in the Victoria and Albert Museum, London (museum number A.695-1910), made in Rome, dated 221 AD. The museum's brief description reads: Coin (aureus), gold, of the Emperor Elagabalus (reigned 218-222) / the Syrian sun god El-Gabal (Baal), Roman, 221 AD. Museum description: Gold coin. On the obverse: Inscription. Head of Elagabalus to right, laureate, border of dots. Reverse: Inscritpion. The Sun God walking to left with right raised, and holding a whip in left. in the field a star. The museum records it as Gold, measuring Diameter 2.15 cm; Weight 6.35 g. These details come from the museum's own record; how far this object represents a wider collectible type has not yet been independently verified.
Evidence at a glance
- Linked sources
- 1
- Photograph views
- 1
- Catalogue references
- 0
Counts describe this entry’s documentation, not authenticity, rarity or completeness. Photographs may show one specimen; check each caption and licence.
Historical context
Roman coins were used both as money and to spread the image of the Roman Emperor and his family and closest supporters. They are general not 'portraits' in the modern sense, but instead use facial and physical features to express the manner, and central tenor of the Emperor's rule - his style and interests as a ruler - a thinker like Marcus Aurelius was shown bearded and wise-looking, regardless of whether or not he did in actual fact wear a beard. Nonetheless, they should not be completely dismissed as records of Imperial likenesses, since the Emperors showed an interest in portraiture in the modern sense, and artists had produced naturalistic portraits since Alexander the Great's time, another man with a keen interest in spreading his image, one of youth, vigour and victory.
Physical characteristics
- Material
- gold
- Dimensions
- Diameter 2.15 cm; Weight 6.35 g
Technical characteristics
- Technique
- Gold
- Place recorded
- Rome
Design
- Inscriptions recorded
- 'IMP. ANTONINVS PIVS AVG.'; 'PM TR P IIII COS II P P'
Identification
- Museum object name
- Coin
- Museum object number
- A.695-1910
- Museum system number
- O119150
Documentation checklist
- Denomination
- Research required
- Issue or mint date
- Recorded
- Material
- Recorded
- Weight
- Research required
- Mint or printer
- Research required
- Mint or printer mark
- Research required
- Catalogue reference
- Research required
- 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
No catalogue numbers recorded. Numbers are only published once transcribed from a verified edition of a standard catalogue — they are never inferred.
Research required
- Research required: confirm the wider type, maker and catalogue references against a specialist reference.