PHOENICIA. Tripolis. Geta, as Caesar, 198-209. Diassarion (Bronze, 26 mm, 13.20 g, 12 h), CY 515 = 203/4. Π ϹΕΠΤΙΜΙ ΓΕΤΑϹ ΚΑΙϹΑΡ Bare-headed, draped and cuirassed bust of Geta to right, seen from behind. Rev. [ΤΡ]ΙΠΟ[ΛΙΤⲰΝ] Є[-Ι-Φ] The Dioskouroi, nude, standing facing on the left and right, each holding spear and grape and looking towards Astarte standing slightly to right, left foot on prow, holding scepter in her right hand and being crowned by small Nike standing on column before her. RPC V.3 online ID 96614 corr. (this coin, but date misread). Unique, the sole known example. Somewhat rough, otherwise, about very fine.



Before the appearance of this unique coin, only one type of Geta from Tripolis was known, represented by two specimens. The reverse likewise shows the Dioskouroi, but without Astarte and Nike between them (RPC V.3 online, ID 69156). That type is dated ΔΙΦ = 514 (AD 202/3).

Probably since it was struck from the same obverse die as our coin - identical apart from a lock of hair added behind the ear, likely the result of later reworking - RPC online likewise dates our piece to 514 (AD 202/3).The left field, however, clearly shows an Є, which is most likely the beginning of the date Є-Ι-Φ, placed across the field on the left, above, and right. Our coin should therefore be dated to 515 (AD 203/4).

This dating is supported by the fact that the same reverse type is also attested for Septimius Severus in year 515 (RIC V.3 online 69283), again with the Є in the left field. The reuse of the obverse die in the following year could also explain why it was slightly reworked: perhaps the details on the portrait had by then become too badly worn.