Caracalla, 198-217. Denarius (Silver, 20 mm, 3.34 g, 12 h), Rome, 202. ANTONINVS PIVS AVG Laureate and draped bust of Caracalla to right, seen from behind. Rev. ADVENT AVGG Galley with four oarsmen and a standing figure to left above waves; at stern, three figures (Septimius Severus, Caracalla and Geta) seated under arch with two signa atop; at prow, vexillum. BMC 267. Cohen 3. RIC 120. The reverse somewhat softly struck, otherwise, very fine.


An interesting feature of this denarius of Caracalla are the three figures at the stern of the galley. They are clearly meant to represent the emperor, Septimius Severus, and his two sons, Caracalla and Geta. The type celebrates both Caracalla's fifth anniversary as joint emperor with Severus, as well as the imperial family's return to Rome from the East, which was by ship.