Caracalla, with Geta as Caesar, 198-217. Aureus (Gold, 19 mm, 7.21 g, 6 h), Rome, 201. ANTONINVS AVGVSTVS Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust of Caracalla to right. Rev. P SEPT GETA CAES PONT Bare-headed, draped and cuirassed bust of Geta to right, seen from behind. BMC 162 note. Calicó 2861. Cohen 1. RIC 38. Very rare. A beautiful example with two remarkable sensitive portraits of the siblings. Minor flan fault on Caracalla's ear, otherwise, good extremely fine.




The existence of two healthy royal princes was celebrated with beautiful coins such as this aureus, which shows the images of Caracalla and Geta, then aged thirteen and twelve, on the obverse and reverse, respectively. Unfortunately, we know from contemporary sources that the siblings did not get along well, and the antipathy and rivalry eventually resulted in the murder of Geta by Caracalla soon after their father's death in 211.