Coin Information: Tantalus S/N 25

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Coin type:	Roman Imperial
Entered by:	rasiel   (Seller rating: 5.0 out of 5, based on 15 buyer responses)
Added on:	Aug 23, 2005
Ruler:	Caracalla (Augustus)
Coin:	AR Denarius ANTONINVSPIVSAVGBRIT - Laureate head right MONETAAVG - Moneta standing left, holding scale and cornucopia
Mint:	Rome (210-213)
References:	RIC 224 C 165
For Sale:	This coin is for sale. ($150.00) About this seller
Notes:	Jan 20, 08 - His real name was Bassianus, his adoptive name Antoninus and his nickname, by which he is known today, was Caracalla. A mean little bastard, he was the son of emperor Septimius Severus, a tough-as-nails type of man that probably beat his kids like red headed stepchildren and hence the likely reason they turned out so rotten. When the old man passed away (and unkind rumors have Caracalla speeding up the process) Caracalla assumed the throne along with his brother Geta. This was a tragedy waiting to happen because the two hated each other so much that they lived in separate palaces and each eyed the other constantly. One day Caracalla sends a message to Geta's camp that the two oughta make up and settle this silliness. Please meet at Mom's (Julia Domna). Geta was apparently excited to bury the hatchet and went to the invitation where he was promptly ambushed and run through the knife right in front of his stunned mother. Caracalla didn't stop there. He went on a killing spree to root out anyone, anyone at all, who ever sided with Geta or he had even the slightest suspicion was not a dyed in the wool supporter. When all was said and done the Rome census was 20,000 citizens lighter. For the next six years Caracalla continued to terrorize his own citizens and empty the treasury to fund his pet projects and pay for frequent salary increases for his soldiers. Because he was so feared and hated it was only a matter of time before someone would figure out a way to whack the boss. Macrinus, one of his officials, found out that Caracalla had just gone to hear the prophecy of a soothsayer who had forecast Macrinus would be the next emperor. Now what do you think Caracalla would have done to make sure that this prediction wouldn't come to pass? Macrinus was lucky to get advance notice and had one of his trusted soldiers stab him to death... while he was taking a crap! Caracalla is well represented in silver and even gold but copper seems to be running scarce at this period in Roman history. This is a representative latter-date portrait.
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