Elagabalus, denarius, silver, reign 218-222, minted 218-222

Elagabalus, denarius, silver, reign 218-222, minted 218-222, weight 3.25 g, diameter 19 mm. Obverse: laureate, draped bust of Elagabalus right; legend IMP ANTONINVS PIVS AVG. Reverse: Libertas standing left holding pileus in right hand and vertical sceptre in left; star in right field; legend LIBERTAS AVG. Strike: struck on a round, slightly compact flan, die axis about 6 h. Toning: light silver-grey with mild golden peripheral highlights. References: RIC IV 107b; RSC 102; BMCRE 258; Cohen 101; RCTV 754. Issued early in the reign of Elagabalus, this denarius comes from the Rome mint during the transition from the Severan to the late Severan period. The Libertas type was employed to associate the new emperor with the restoration of civic freedom following the overthrow of Macrinus. The star beside Libertas may allude to the solar cult of Elagabal, the Syrian deity promoted by the emperor. Denarii of this weight and fineness formed the primary silver currency for legionary pay, urban commerce, and state expenditures in the early third century. The piece illustrates the continued use of traditional Roman iconography, combined with personal religious symbols, in the coinage propaganda of Elagabalus.