Caracalla AR Denarius, Rome AD 213–217, MARTI PROPVGNATORI, RIC IV 307

Caracalla, Denarius, silver, reign AD 198–217, struck AD 213–217, Rome mint; 3.25 g, 19 mm. Obv: ANTONINVS PIVS AVG GERM, laureate bust right. Rev: MARTI PROPVGNATORI, Mars advancing right, nude except for cloak, holding spear in right hand and trophy over left shoulder. Struck at Rome on a round flan, centrally aligned with visible beaded borders. Reference: RIC IV Caracalla 307.

Issued after Caracalla adopted the title Germanicus in AD 213, this denarius promotes the emperor’s martial policy. The reverse legend MARTI PROPVGNATORI (“to Mars the Defender”) identifies the army’s patron as the guardian of the emperor and state, consistent with operations on the German frontier and preparations for the eastern campaign of 216–217. The obverse name Antoninus Pius Augustus asserts continuity with the Antonine line, while the Rome mint broadcast this message across the empire in the final years of Caracalla’s reign.