Elagabalus Sestertius RIC IV Elagabalus 348

Monetary Context and Denominational Role

During the reign of Elagabalus (AD 218 to 222), the Roman currency system was undergoing significant structural transitions initiated under the Severan dynasty. The sestertius, valued at one-quarter of a silver denarius or four copper asses, remained the core large-module brass denomination utilized for high-volume domestic transactions, state payments within Italy, and civic accounting throughout the Western empire. However, the continuous debasement of the silver denarius and the newly introduced radiate antoninianus under Caracalla put significant pressure on the token fiduciary base-metal denominations. Because sestertii were struck from orichalcum (a copper-zinc alloy) or related leaded bronze alloys whose intrinsic metal values were below their assigned face values, the state maintained strict monopolistic control over their creation and distribution. The issuance of RIC IV Elagabalus 348 formed part of the regime's campaign to assert normal administrative and economic continuity at Rome, assuring the populace and the senate that standard monetary distributions, market liquidity, and public accounting conventions persisted under the restored Antonine line.

Production Standards and Mint Operation

The entire production of RIC IV Elagabalus 348 was concentrated at the central imperial mint of Rome. Unlike the initial eastern base-metal issues struck at Antioch or other Syrian auxiliary operations during the initial rebellion of AD 218, high-weight imperial sestertii of standard Roman style were exclusively struck at the capital. Surviving specimens demonstrate the mechanical characteristics of third-century Roman mint output: flans were cast in open mould arrays, often displaying bevelled edges, minor casting sprues, or irregular peripheries before being struck cold or moderately warm between hardened iron dies. The theoretical weight standard for the sestertius under Elagabalus had softened slightly compared to early imperial norms, with individual specimens typically ranging between 19.0 and 25.0 grams, centered around a median near 22.0 to 23.5 grams, and with diameters hovering between 29 and 32 millimeters. Die alignment varied considerably, although a dominant roughly vertical axis (near 12 or 6 o'clock) was frequently observed in the Rome workshops.

Obverse Iconography and Imperial Image

The obverse of RIC IV Elagabalus 348 features a right-facing portrait of the youthful emperor. He is depicted wearing the laurel wreath of victorious imperial authority, accompanied by drapery and a military cuirass seen from behind or three-quarters view. The portraiture belongs to the realistic yet standardized Roman court style developed after Elagabalus entered Rome in AD 219, capturing his adolescent features while assimilating his facial profile to that of Caracalla to reinforce his claim to the Antonine bloodline. Die engravers varied minor details of the imperial dress across different working dies, showing differences in the fold patterns of the paludamentum, the prominence of the breastplate shoulder straps, and the arrangement of the laurel ties resting against the nape of the neck. Unlike certain late issues from AD 221 and 222, this type does not exhibit the controversial priestly horn or Syrian liturgical vestments, presenting the ruler exclusively in orthodox civic and military garb.

Reverse Iconography of Fortuna Redux

The reverse iconography centers on Fortuna Redux, an imperial cult deity responsible for protecting the ruler during travel and securing his safe return to the imperial capital. She is depicted draped in a chiton and mantle, seated facing toward the left upon a backless or low-backed throne. In her extended right hand, Fortuna holds a terrestrial globe, symbolizing imperial dominion over the cosmos and the worldwide reach of Roman peace and good fortune. In her left arm, she cradles a heavy cornucopia, representing abundance, fertility, and the economic prosperity expected under the emperor's rule. The letters S C appear prominently in the lower field, flanking the seated figure or set into the exergue, signifying Senatus Consulto ('by decree of the Senate'). This traditional formula persisted on imperial base-metal coinage to mark the constitutional role of the Senate in sanctioning the bronze currency, even when practical mint operations were managed directly by the imperial fiscus.

Epigraphy and Titulature

The obverse inscription reads IMP CAES M AVR ANTONINVS PIVS AVG, representing the expanded formula: Imperator Caesar Marcus Aurelius Antoninus Pius Augustus. This nomenclature was adopted to validate Elagabalus' dynastic legitimacy as the purported son of Caracalla, omitting his private Syrian identity (Varius Avitus Bassianus) and echoing the names borne by Marcus Aurelius and Septimius Severus. The reverse legend is inscribed as FORTVNAE REDVCI, formulated in the dative case to express dedication: 'To Fortuna Who Brings Return'. Accompanied by the senatorial authorization formula S C, the epigraphy is executed in clean, classical Roman lapidary capitals with prominent serifs. The lettering runs clockwise along the outer rim, starting from the lower left, with standard inter-letter spacing typical of the Rome mint officinae during the early third century.

Typology, Variants, and Chronological Placement

In the system of The Roman Imperial Coinage, RIC IV Elagabalus 348 classifies the sestertius issue pairing the obverse bust with drapery and cuirass with the seated Fortuna Redux holding a globe and cornucopia. Mattingly and Sydenham grouped this undated issue within the overarching span of AD 218 to 222, though its specific iconography and mature Rome mint style suggest it was struck primarily between the emperor's triumphal entry into Rome in the autumn of AD 219 and the early months of AD 221. Related contemporary types feature Fortuna Redux standing or holding a rudder instead of a globe, as well as variants with different portrait bust draping arrangements (such as laureate and draped without cuirass, catalogued under neighboring RIC numbers). Because the legend lacks numbered tribunician powers (tribunicia potestas) or consulships, absolute year-by-year boundaries cannot be established beyond stylistic grouping and flan development.

Circulation, Hoard Evidence, and Survival

Sestertii of Elagabalus circulated widely through Italy, the Danubian provinces, Gaul, and Roman Britain, functioning as core market currency alongside worn issues of the second century. While second-century bronze coins from Antoninus Pius and Marcus Aurelius frequently remained in active use for generations, third-century sestertii experienced progressive wear and were occasionally melted or restruck during the monetary crises of the mid-to-late third century. Hoard evidence across northwestern Europe, such as the Shapwick and Beachy Head hoards, reveals that Severan sestertii remained in commercial circulation until the mass abandonment of large aes currency under Aurelian and Diocletian. Specimens of RIC IV Elagabalus 348 survive in modest quantities in public institutions and private cabinets, typically showing moderate to heavy surface friction, chemical patination from soil burial, and the surface flaws inherent to early third-century brass alloy production.

References

1. Coins of the Roman Empire in the British Museum, Vol. V: Pertinax to Elagabalus. pp. 585-588
2. Description historique des monnaies frappées sous l'Empire romain, Tome IV. p. 328, no. 53
3. Online Coins of the Roman Empire: RIC IV Elagabalus 348. ric.4.el.348
4. The Roman Imperial Coinage, Vol. IV, Part II: Macrinus to Pupienus. p. 58, no. 348