SYRIA, Seleucis and Pieria. Gabala. Caracalla, 198-217. Tetradrachm (Billon, 31 mm, 13.31 g, 12 h), 213-217. ΑΥΤ ΚΑΙ ΑΝΤⲰΝΙΝΟϹ ϹЄ Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust of Caracalla to right, seen from behind. Rev. ΔΗΜΑΡΧ ЄΞ ΥΠΑΤΟϹ ΤΟ Δ Laureate head of Zeus to right, set on eagle standing right with wings closed; in field to right, palm tree with two date clusters. Bellinger -. Prieur -. RPC V.3 online -. Apparently unpublished and unique. Somewhat double struck, otherwise, about extremely fine.


This extraordinary tetradrachm of Caracalla can, as the palm branch indicates, be attributed with certainty to Gabala. The type, showing a bearded bust on the eagle, is entirely unknown. An interesting parallel, however, is provided by an equally unique tetradrachm of Macrinus (RPC V.3 online ID 79213): here we see a city goddess wearing a mural crown and facing right, positioned on an eagle with outspread wings. The supposed thyrsus she holds (as described in RPC) is, however, actually a slightly mis-struck palm tree.

A parallel is also found among the bronze issues: once again there is an eagle with outspread wings, surmounted by a right-facing bust of Julia Domna (RPC V.3 online IDs 85863-85864). The figure depicted on our coin is probably Zeus, father of the gods. This identification is supported not only by the laurel wreath and impressive beard, but above all by the local bronze coinage, which frequently depicts a seated Zeus.

In any event, this coin strikingly demonstrates that even such thoroughly studied series as the Syro-Phoenician tetradrachms can still hold surprises.