LYDIA. Sardis. Caracalla, 198-217. Tetrassarion (Bronze, 30 mm, 13.09 g, 12 h), Antonius Rufus, first archon for the third time, circa 211-217. AYT•K•M•AYP• •CЄ•ANTΩNЄINOC• Laureate head of Caracalla to right. Rev. ЄΠI AN POYΦOY APX A TO Γ - CAPΔIANΩN / ΔΙC NЄΩKO/PΩN• Facing cult statue of the Kore of Sardis, veiled and draped, between poppy on the left and grain ear on the right, and partly hidden by a wreath; all on basis inscribed ΚΟΡΑΙΑ ΑΚΤΙΑ. BMC -. GRPC Lydia 504. Hochard 2005. RPC V.2 online ID 73056. SNG Copenhagen -. SNG Leypold -. SNG München -. SNG Righetti -. SNG Turkey -. SNG von Aulock -. Very rare and by far the finest known example. Minor deposits, otherwise, about extremely fine.



The Koraia Aktia named on this coin were festival games at Sardis connected with the cult of Kore of Sardis, while also referring to the Actia, the celebration of the victory of the future Augustus, still Octavian at the time, over Mark Antony and Cleopatra at Actium in 31 BC.