Elagabalus Silver Antoninianus, RIC IV Elagabalus 1e

Monetary and Denominational Context

The antoninianus, known in modern numismatic terminology as the radiate double denarius, represented an innovative yet structurally inflationary development within the Roman monetary system of the early third century AD. Introduced around AD 215 under Caracalla, this silver denomination was distinguished iconographically by the solar radiate crown worn by male emperors and by the crescent moon beneath female portrait busts. While the antoninianus circulated at an official tariff value of two denarii, metallurgical analyses demonstrate that its actual silver mass equaled only about 1.5 denarii, providing an immediate fiscal premium for the imperial treasury. Macrinus largely terminated radiate silver production between AD 217 and 218, preferring the traditional denarius standard. Following the overthrow of Macrinus in the summer of AD 218 and the installation of the young Severan claimant Elagabalus, imperial moneyers at Rome promptly reinstated the radiate denomination. Issue RIC IV Elagabalus 1e represents this urgent resumption, striking silver antoniniani alongside denarii to fulfill imperial distributions, military donatives, and everyday administrative expenses.

Production Standards and Mint Attribution

Numismatic scholarship securely assigns RIC IV Elagabalus 1e to the principal imperial mint in Rome. During the opening months of Elagabalus's reign, the administrative machinery at Rome struck coinage in the emperor's name even before his physical arrival in the capital, relying on metropolitan style models and established die-cutting conventions. The silver alloy of early Elagabalus antoniniani maintained the debased Severan fineness typical of the period, averaging approximately 40 to 50 percent silver balanced by copper alloy additions. While typical third-century silver radiates demonstrate significant mass variability owing to al marco striking practices, specimens within this wider issue generally span weight clusters from approximately 4.5 to 5.5 grams with flan diameters near 21 to 23 millimeters. Die axes predominantly follow traditional Roman mint alignment conventions, adhering to either 12 o'clock or 6 o'clock relationships.

Obverse Iconography and Portraiture

The obverse of RIC IV Elagabalus 1e presents a right-facing bust of the emperor wearing a radiate crown and drapery over his shoulders. The radiate spikes project from his head, serving as the essential denomination marker denoting the double denarius while simultaneously evoking the divine luminescence of Sol. In this initial portrait group from AD 218, the celators depicted Elagabalus with youthful, idealized features, short-cropped hair, and smooth facial contours devoid of sideburns or a beard. The choice of a draped bust rather than a cuirassed or bare-shouldered bust emphasizes civilian and dynastic dignity. The iconography was designed to remind contemporary users of the youthful portraits of Caracalla from two decades earlier, reinforcing the political claim that Elagabalus was Caracalla's natural offspring and legitimate successor.

Reverse Typology and Allegory

The reverse iconography of RIC IV Elagabalus 1e depicts Roma, the divine personification of the Roman state and empire, seated facing left on a backless curule seat or low throne. In her extended right hand, Roma holds a miniature figurine of Victory, who offers a wreath of triumph. In her left hand, Roma grasps an upright, tall sceptre symbolizing sovereign administrative authority. At the base of her seat rests an oval or circular military shield, resting against the throne leg. Roma wears a crested helmet, draped stola, and mantle, personifying both martial vigilance and civic stability. The presence of Roma seated with Victory on an initial imperial issue provided reassurance to the Senate and people of Rome, emphasizing the continuity of Roman martial supremacy, urban tradition, and constitutional order despite regime change in the East.

Epigraphy and Imperial Titulature

The obverse inscription reads IMP CAES M AVR ANTONINVS AVG, fully transcribed as Imperator Caesar Marcus Aurelius Antoninus Augustus. Rather than adopting his birth name, the teenage ruler officially assumed the formal nomenclature of Marcus Aurelius Antoninus, the identity previously held by both Marcus Aurelius and Caracalla. This titular choice served as a fundamental dynastic statement, directly countering the legitimacy of the fallen Macrinus. The reverse inscription reads P M TR P COS P P, abbreviating Pontifex Maximus, Tribunicia Potestate, Consul, Pater Patriae. The omission of iterative numeral marks beside TR P and COS signifies the initial year of the tribunician power and the inaugural consulship, confirming that the dies were prepared during AD 218.

Typological Classification and Chronological Sequence

In the standard classification of Roman Imperial Coinage established by Harold Mattingly, Edward A. Sydenham, and C. H. V. Sutherland, RIC IV Part II catalogs the early Rome-minted antoniniani under sequential type numbers. Number 1 encompasses the primary seated Roma type with first-consulship reverse titulature, subdivided by letter suffixes corresponding to distinct bust drapery and cuirass variations. Variant 1e specifically isolates the bust variety showing the ruler radiate and draped right, distinguishing it from related companion varieties such as 1a showing a bare bust, 1b showing a draped and cuirassed bust, or other bust permutations. Because the reverse legend records Elagabalus as COS without iterative numerals, the striking of 1e belongs strictly to AD 218. When Elagabalus entered his second consulship on January 1, AD 219, Rome mint officials updated the reverse legends to COS II, concluding this initial typological series.

Circulation, Hoard Evidence, and Monetary Impact

Antoniniani of Elagabalus circulated extensively throughout the central and western European provinces, as well as along the Danubian and eastern frontiers of the empire. Hoard deposits documented in Britain, Gaul, Germany, and Italy reveal that antoniniani of AD 218 mingled freely with surviving Caracallan radiates and earlier Severan denarii. However, the production volume of the antoninianus under Elagabalus proved unequal across his four-year reign. While the denomination saw substantial striking during AD 218 and 219, mint authorities at Rome drastically scaled back radiate issues between AD 220 and 222 in favor of the traditional denarius, a pattern continued by Severus Alexander. Consequently, AD 218 issues such as RIC IV Elagabalus 1e represent an ephemeral peak in the early evolution of third-century bimetallic silver coinage before the complete dominance of the radiate under Gordian III and his successors.

References

1. Coinage in the Roman Economy, 300 B.C. to A.D. 700. pp. 125-132
2. Roman Coins from the Earliest Times to the Fall of the Western Empire. pp. 112-118
3. Online Coins of the Roman Empire: RIC IV Elagabalus 1e. ric.4.el.1e
4. The Roman Imperial Coinage, Volume IV, Part II: Macrinus to Pupienus. pp. 28-29, no. 1e
5. Le monnayage d'Elagabale (218-222). pp. 31-33