SYRIA, Seleucis and Pieria. Antioch. Geta, 209-211. Tetradrachm (Billon, 28 mm, 14.83 g, 12 h), circa 209. ΑΥΤ•ΚΑΙ•ΓЄΤΑC• Laureate head of Geta to right. Rev. ΔΗΜΑΡΧ•ЄΞ•ΥΠΑ•Τϕ• Eagle with spread wings standing facing on leg and thigh of a sacrificial animal, head to right and holding wreath in beak; below, pellet. Bellinger 13 var. (no pellet on the reverse). McAlee 719 var. (no pellet on the reverse). Prieur 210 var. (no pellet on the reverse). An apparently unpublished variety. The surfaces a bit rough, otherwise, very fine.


Both McAlee and Prieur date this coin as an issue of circa 208 for Geta as Caesar. However, the laurel wreath and the use of the title 'KAI' as a praenomen rather than cognomen, as well as the title AYT (for autokrator = imperator), confirm that this rare issue is the first in the name of Geta as Augustus. Perhaps the title of Sebastos, or Augustus, was omitted in deference to Caracalla's seniority.