SYRIA, Seleucis and Pieria. Emesa. Caracalla, 198-217. AE (Bronze, 30 mm, 23.21 g, 12 h), CY 527 = 215/6. AΥΤ Κ Μ ΑΥΡ ΑΝΤΩΝΕΙΝΟϹ ϹΕΒ Laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust right, seen from behind. Rev. ΕΜΙϹΩΝ ΚΟΛΩΝΙ / ΖΚΦ Hexastyle temple on podium, within sacred stone of El-Gabal on high decorated base, flanked by two parasols; in front of stone, eagle with wreath in beak; in pediment, rectangular frame. BMC 15. RPC V.3 online ID 69124. A beautiful piece with an exceptional rendering of the Temple of El-Gabal. Minor flan faults and repatinated, otherwise, nearly extremely fine.



The Temple of El-Gabal in Emesa was set high atop the city's acropolis, so that all could see it in the rising sun's rays. On an altar within sat the famous baetyl of the sun god, here represented by the eagle before the holy stone.