PHOENICIA. Aradus. Caracalla, 198-217. Tetradrachm (Billon, 26 mm, 13.88 g, 11 h), 215-217. AYT•K•M•AY ANTONЄINOC Laureate and cuirassed bust of Caracalla to left, holding spear over his right shoulder and shield decorated with aegis on his left. Rev. ΔHMA[PX ЄΞ YΠ]ATOC TO / Δ Eagle with spread wings standing facing, head to right and holding wreath on beak; between the eagle's legs, head of a bull to right. Bellinger 229. Prieur 1235 (2 examples recorded). Extremely rare. Struck on a slightly short flan and surfaces a bit rough, otherwise, good very fine.


The artist who made this obverse die forgot that he had to cut the reverse legend into the die in retrograde script so that it would appear correctly on the coin. As a result, it is now retrograde on the coin.