Caracalla. Denarius

Caracalla; 198-217 AD, Rome, 198-9 AD, Denarius, 2.58g. Obv: M AVR ANTO - NINVS AVG Bust laureate, draped r. Rs: FIDES - P -VBLICA on l. and r., Fides standing r., holding two wheat ears and plate of fruit. Ex Curtis L. Clay Collection; acquired from Lanz, eBay, 28 Jan. 2010. Apparently a new obverse legend variety for this reverse type on Rome-mint denarii of Caracalla in 198 or 199 AD. We might have expected the legend IMP CAES M AVR ANTON AVG instead, as on the two preceding lots of this sale. A close variant of the new denarius obverse legend, namely M AVRELIVS ANTON AVG, also occurs on a dynastic aureus of Caracalla as young Augustus and Geta as Caesar: see BM-121, pl. 29.16.. Virtually MS