Denomination: Silver denarius

Period: Roman empire

Date: AD 219

Origin: Rome mint

Condition: VF but some edge loss to lower edge

Obverse: Laureate and draped bust, right, IMP ANTONINVS AVG

Reverse: Fides Militum standing, holding vexillum and standard, FIDES MILITVM

Size and Weight: 18mm, 2.37g

References: Spink 7512

Features and Provenance: Elagabalus, or Antoninus as he is properly known, was probably one of the most depraved emperors to have almost run Rome. Born in Syria in about AD 204, Bassianus (his birth name) was a high priest following the sun-god Elagabal, hence his later epithet. He was raised to the purple with the aid of his grandmother, Julia Maesa, in 218 at the tender age of 14, taking the royal name of Antonius. He had little enthusiasm for the post, allowing his mother and grandmother to govern whilst he pleasured himself. He is known to have had four wives and one husband (he like to be called 'empress'). Much of his cross-dressing and makeup wearing was dismissed as eccentricity, but when he sacrificed both animals and humans in the name of Elagabal, prostituted himself and took part in depraved sexual acts, eyebrows were raised. Then worst of all in the eyes of the Romans, he took a Vestal Virgin as his bride, a sacrilegious act - enough was enough. His grandmother plotted to kill him in 222. His mother was murdered too, trying to protect him and both their bodies were unceremoniously dragged through the streets and thrown into the Tiber!  

Condition Summary. This varies with the age of coin and there are grades between

Uncirculated (U). As struck with no traces of wear

Extremely Fine (EF). Very slight traces of wear, all parts of legend etc present, visible and clear

Very Fine (VF). Some signs of wear on the higher parts of the relief, all parts of legend etc present, but maybe worn

Fine (F). Wear on the coin and parts of legend etc may be missing or not visible