Roman Empire, Caracalla as Caesar, AD 196-198

Roman Empire, Caracalla as Caesar, AD 196-198

AR Denarius, 2.3g 18-19mm, Rome mint, struck AD 196-198

Obverse: ANTONINVS PIVS AVG, laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust right

Reverse: INDVLGENTIA AVGG, Indulgentia seated left on lion, holding patera in right hand and scepter in left; IN CARTH in exergue

References: RIC IV Caracalla 130a; RSC 97; BMCRE 161; Sear RCV 6679

Condition: Good Very Fine. Attractive old cabinet tone with bold portrait. Well-centered strike with full legends. Minor edge splits at 12h and 6h, typical for the issue. Sharp detail on Indulgentia and lion.

Notes: Struck for Caracalla as Caesar under Septimius Severus. The INDVLGENTIA AVGG IN CARTH type commemorates Imperial clemency or benefaction granted to Carthage. Indulgentia, personification of Imperial indulgence, is shown seated on a lion — the lion representing Africa/Carthage tamed by Roman benevolence. A historically important and popular type linking the Severan dynasty to North Africa.