Caracalla, denarius, silver, reign 198-217, minted 215

Caracalla, denarius, silver, reign 198-217, minted 215, weight 3.15 g, diameter 19 mm. Obverse: laureate bust of Caracalla right; legend ANTONINVS PIVS AVG GERM P M TR P XVIII COS IIII P P. Reverse: Apollo standing left, nude except for cloak fluttering behind, branch extended in right hand, long sceptre held with left; unpublished type. Strike: centered, complete borders and legends observable. Toning: light, even grey with minimal surface variation. References: not listed in RIC IV or other standard catalogues; presently one recorded specimen (ID L5-108). Struck in 215 at the Rome mint during Caracalla’s eighteenth tribunician year and fourth consulship, this denarius belongs to the late phase of his sole reign. The reverse with Apollo reflects the emperor’s continued promotion of traditional Roman deities for legitimizing authority, aligning with Caracalla’s broader religious policy that included patronage of healing and prophetic cults. Its absence from major reference works indicates the issue was produced in very limited numbers or was quickly withdrawn, explaining the current status of a single known example.