Aigeai (AD 216-217) Tetradrachm

Time of Caracalla, 211-217 AD. Billon Tetradrachm (11.80g). About 216-217. AIΓEAIΩN ANTΩNIINO VΠOΛEΩC Bearded, draped bust of Asclepius r., thin band in the hair, snake-entwined staff at his l. shoulder / MAKEΔONIKHC ΠICTHC ΘEOΦIΛO, Octastyle temple of Asclepius on steps, statue of Asclepius within, wearing himation, holding snake-entwined staff; in the pediment, eagle flying l.; in the field, date Γ-Σ/C (= year 263 of the local era); below, goat r. between two pellets. For a similar tetradrachm honoring likewise Asclepius, see Prieur 86, 723 and H. Bloesch, Caracalla in Aigeai, Atti (Proceedings) Congresso Internazionale di Numismatica, Roma 1961 (1965), 307 seq. Unique, unpublished and very interesting type. Very fine.

The sanctuary of Asclepius in Aegeae was certainly not as famous as the ones in Epidaurus, Kos or Pergamum, but still well known. The rather unusual use of base silver for these rare autonomous issues (dated 262 and 263 of the local era = AD 215/216 ans 216-217) as well as their types refer to an illness of Caracalla and of his attempt of being healed by visiting sanctuaries of Asclepius such as Pergamum and probably Aegeae.