Caracalla. Denarius

Caracalla; 198-217 AD, Rome, 199 AD, Denarius, 3.73g. BMC-p. 174, citing R.It. 1908, p. 394. Obv: IMP CAES M AVR - ANTON AVG Bust laureate, draped r. Rx: SPES PV - BLICA on l. and r., Spes advancing l., holding flower and raising skirt. Ex Curtis L. Clay Collection. Scarce with this obverse legend; only three specimens in Reka Devnia hoard. Our example is definitely of Rome-mint style and fabric, so disproves Carson and Hill's suggestion, in their second edition (1975) of BMC V, p. 174, * note, that this denarius was probably struck only at the eastern new-style mint, and not at Rome.. EF