Elagabalus Bronze Dupondius RIC IV Elagabalus 335

Monetary Context

During the Severan dynasty, the Roman base-metal coinage system retained the standard denominations established under Augustus, comprising the orichalcum sestertius, the orichalcum dupondius, the copper as, and rarer fractional denominations such as the semis and quadrans. The dupondius functioned as an intermediate division of the sestertius, valued at two copper asses or half of an orichalcum sestertius, and one-eighth of a silver denarius. Under Elagabalus, imperial finances faced recurring structural strains exacerbated by military expenditures, extensive ceremonial distributions, and ongoing debasement of the silver coinage. Although the introduction of the radiate double denarius under Caracalla had altered the silver hierarchy, base-metal coinage retained a stable operational function for domestic markets and daily transactions within central Italy and Romanized provinces. Radiate headgear on aes denominations had long served as the primary visual marker distinguishing the dupondius from the laureate as, a convention established under the Julio-Claudian emperors to avoid denomination confusion when patination or minor weight overlap obscured metallic composition. Production of dupondii under Elagabalus was quantitatively smaller than that of sestertii, rendering specimens such as RIC IV Elagabalus 335 relatively scarce components of the circulating Severan currency pool.

Production and Mints

RIC IV Elagabalus 335 was struck exclusively at the principal imperial mint in Rome. By 222 AD, the eastern mints that had operated during the earlier phases of the reign, most notably Antioch, had ceased striking official aes issues for the central government, centralizing bronze production in the capital. The mint of Rome operated organized officinae that coordinated the engraving of dies, metal preparation, flan casting, and hand hammering. Flans for dupondii were cast in open or two-piece molds using an alloy of copper and zinc, though metallographic analyses of third-century aes demonstrate a progressive decrease in zinc content and an increase in trace lead and tin compared to early imperial orichalcum. Dies were engraved in the distinct, refined style characteristic of the capital's master engravers, featuring well-proportioned portraiture and meticulous execution of complex ceremonial accoutrements. Striking was performed by teams of celatores using iron dies positioned manually on heated or cold flans. The inclusion of the standard formulaic senatorial endorsement on the reverse underscores the continued nominal oversight of senatorial authority regarding the output of public copper-alloy coinage at Rome.

Obverse Design and Portraiture

The obverse of RIC IV Elagabalus 335 presents a bust of the emperor turned to the right. He is shown wearing the radiate crown, the definitive numismatic attribute signifying the dupondius within the Roman bronze series. The portrait is draped, with folds of the paludamentum neatly arranged over the shoulder, conveying imperial majesty. The stylistic treatment reflects the late adolescent appearance of Elagabalus in 222 AD, characterized by a rounded youthful face, closely trimmed hair protruding beneath the crown, and occasionally subtle facial hair. Engravers at the Rome mint captured the delicate features of the young ruler while maintaining standard imperial gravitas. The radiate spikes project evenly from the crown band, encircling the head with solar symbolism that aligned seamlessly with the regime's religious orientation. The obverse die work shows high relief and careful attention to the drapery folds, demonstrating that even in the final, volatile months of the reign, mint artisans in Rome executed state dies with consistent technical skill.

Reverse Iconography and Symbolism

The reverse design of this dupondius presents an explicit manifestation of the religious innovations introduced during the reign of Elagabalus. The central composition depicts the emperor standing towards the left, clad not in the traditional Roman toga of an imperial pontifex, but in the exotic, flowing priestly vestments associated with the cult of Elagabal of Emesa. In his right hand, the emperor holds a patera, with which he pours a libation over a lighted altar standing on the ground before him. In his left hand, he cradles a club or ceremonial scepter, an attribute linked to divine power or Herculean and Syrian cultic practices. Directly behind the altar, a sacrificial bull lies crouching on the ground, representing the grand animal offerings recorded by contemporary historians. Above the scene in the left field, an eight-pointed star is prominently displayed, symbolizing the solar deity or divine favor shining upon the sacrificial rite. The letters S C, signifying Senatus Consulto, are divided within the field or placed in the lower exergue, confirming the senatorial decree that formally authorized the base-metal issue. The entire composition emphasizes the emperor's personal identity as the chief minister of the Emesene sun cult, asserting divine protection over the state.

Legends and Epigraphy

The legends on RIC IV Elagabalus 335 follow the strict formulae of the Roman imperial administrative apparatus. The obverse legend reads IMP CAES M AVR ANTONINVS PIVS AVG, continuing unbroken around the rim. This titulature connects the emperor directly to the prestigious Antonine dynastic lineage, invoking the name of Marcus Aurelius Antoninus Pius to legitimize his accession and authority. On the reverse, the legend reads P M TR P V COS IIII P P S C, arranged circularly around the sacrificial scene. The epigraphic abbreviations represent Pontifex Maximus (chief priest), Tribunicia Potestate V (exercising tribunician power for the fifth time), Consul IIII (consul for the fourth time), Pater Patriae (father of the fatherland), and Senatus Consulto (by decree of the Senate). The epigraphic execution is crisp, with neat, uniform lettering produced by specialized punch-cutters and die-engravers at Rome. The precise alignment of titles provides an exact administrative record of the emperor's constitutional offices at the moment of emission.

Types and Chronology

The chronological framework for RIC IV Elagabalus 335 is established conclusively through its reverse legend. The notation TR P V combined with COS IIII designates the period from 1 January 222 AD, when Elagabalus entered his fourth consulship, until his assassination and the subsequent damnatio memoriae in mid-March 222 AD. Consequently, this coin type was produced during a narrow window of approximately ten to eleven weeks. The type belongs to a synchronized thematic series of priestly emissions struck concurrently across denominations, including the gold aureus, the silver denarius, and the bronze sestertius. In the sestertius denomination, identical iconography is recorded under RIC IV 334, while the dupondius under RIC IV 335 mirrors the design in a smaller format with the requisite radiate crown. The sudden termination of the reign in March 222 AD brought an immediate end to the production of these priestly types, making this issue the chronological culmination of Elagabalus's numismatic program.

Circulation and Monetary Function

Following production at Rome in early 222 AD, specimens of RIC IV Elagabalus 335 entered general circulation primarily within the Italian peninsula and the western provinces, where base-metal aes was heavily utilized for market transactions. Because dupondii carried a recognized fiduciary value guaranteed by the state, they circulated alongside earlier Severan, Antonine, and even Flavian bronze pieces that remained in active commercial use. The brief production window of this issue meant that the absolute quantity struck was modest compared to long-running issues from earlier years. Following the violent deposition of Elagabalus and the formal decree of damnatio memoriae enacted by the Roman Senate, some official portraits were intentionally defaced or melted down, although base-metal coins frequently escaped systematic withdrawal due to the practical daily need for small change. Hoard evidence from Roman Britain, Gaul, and the Danube frontier indicates that Severan dupondii circulated for several decades, steadily losing weight through physical abrasion until the base-metal monetary reforms of the mid-third century eclipsed classical aes denominations.

References

1. Coins of the Roman Empire in the British Museum, Vol. V: Pertinax to Elagabalus. Elagabalus Rome, Aes Issues
2. The Roman Imperial Coinage, Vol. IV, Part II: Macrinus to Pupienus. p. 59, no. 335
3. Online Coins of the Roman Empire: RIC IV Elagabalus 335. ric.4.el.335