Otros (AD 198-217) AE 31 - Caracalla

Caracalla, 198-217 AD. AE31 (14.68g, 1h). Mesandros, asiarch. Laureate and cuirassed bust right, slight drapery / Apollo standing facing, head left, holding plectrum and kithara. Good VF, attractive green patina. From Group CEM.

This obverse die was also used to strike coins for Bruzus, an equally rare city (see Kraft pl. 82, 48a-b). The reverse indicates that the asiarch (or “ruler of Asia”, a highly distinguished office during the Roman period) had the issue struck at his own expense.