PHOENICIA. Sidon. Elagabalus, 218-222. Octassarion (Bronze, 28 mm, 14.83 g, 1 h). [IMP] CAESAR M A ΔNTONINN (sic) Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust of Elagabalus to right, seen from behind. Rev. [COL AVR PIA METRO SIDON] Car of Astarte flanked by crescent and star; all within center of zodiacal wheel. BMC -, cf. 260 (differing obverse legend). Rouvier -, cf. 1527 and 1561 (differing obverse legends). RPC VI online 8385.15 corr. (this coin, but misdescribed). An impressive astrological reverse type with excellent reverse details. The obverse smoothed and and with some strengthening of the legend, otherwise, nearly very fine.


As Herodian, among others, remarks (IV, 12, 3), astrology became paramount in the Roman Empire under the Severans. This notable reverse type depicts the heavenly connections of the godess Astarte, worshipped at Sidon as a baetyl (probably a meteorite, thus, fallen from the sky), namely the Sun, the Moon, and the zodiacal signs.