Kaisareia (AD 218-222) AE 35 - Elagabalus

Elagabalus, 218-222 AD. AE35 / Tetrassarion (28.05g, 12h). Dated RY 5 (222 AD). ΑΥ Κ Μ ΑΥΡΗΛΙΟC ΑΝΤΩΝЄΙΝΟC CЄΒ, laureate, draped and cuirassed bust of Elagabalus to right / ΜΗΤΡΟΠΟ ΚΑΙCΑΡΙ / ΝЄΩΚΟΡΟΥ / ЄΤ Є, Apollo seated left on pile of boulders, holding branch in his right hand and resting his left on a globe; to left and right, elaborate ornamental column; above, Mt. Argaeus. Very rare; an intriguing coin with an idealized portrait of Elagabalus and a golden brown patina with green highlights. Nearly EF. European coll.

It has been suggested that this rare and heavy coin formed part of a celebratory issue (with Julia Maesa and Severus Alexander) struck in honor of Alexander’s appointment as Caesar.