Elagabalus (AD 218-222) AR Denarius - XF, beautiful toning

Fine style portrait and very strong details, beautiful old cabinet grey toning brings out the detail

Elagabalus was a teenage priest of the Syrian sun god Elagabal who was placed on the throne in 218 AD by his grandmother Julia Maesa, claiming to be Caracalla's illegitimate son (hence the name Antoninus in the legend). His reign scandalized Rome as he elevated his eastern god above Jupiter, and he was murdered by the Praetorian Guard in 222 AD at just 18. This early Salus issue predates the religious excesses that would later define his short reign.