Caracalla. 40-as

Caracalla; 198-217 AD, Rome, 203 AD, As, 10.51g. Cf. BMC-p. 335, citing C-669 (Paris). Obv: ANTONINVS - PIVS AVG Bust laureate, draped, cuirassed r. Rx: VIRTV - S - AVG - G on l. and r., S - C across field, Caracalla in military dress standing l., holding Victory and reversed spear, crowned by Virtus standing l. behind him, also holding a reversed spear. Ex Curtis L. Clay Collection; ex Sotheby Sale, NYC, Dec. 1997; ex NFA 12, 1983, lot 337. This is a very rare reverse type on asses, known previously only from three specimens with the dated obverse legend ANTON PIVS AVG PON TR P VI. The two specimens from the Clay Collection offered in this lot and the next, the first in excellent condition but the second heavily worn, show a new variant of this rare As, struck from the same reverse die but now coupled with the shorter, undated obverse legend ANTONINVS PIVS AVG.This coin is one of two examples from the Curtis Clay Collection which show a new variant of a rare As. EF