Elagabalus Silver Denarius RIC IV Elagabalus 123b

Monetary Context and Denominational Setting

During the reign of Elagabalus (AD 218 to 222), the Roman imperial monetary system relied heavily on the denarius as its primary silver working denomination. Although Caracalla had introduced the radiate double-denarius (antoninianus) in AD 215, Elagabalus continued producing traditional laureate denarii in high volumes, briefly striking antoniniani early in his reign before largely pausing their output in favour of standard denarii. The denarius of RIC IV Elagabalus 123b occupied a critical position in paying state expenditures, particularly imperial salaries and military stipends. Under Elagabalus, the silver standard experienced continuing debasement that had progressed since the reign of Septimius Severus. The fineness of imperial denarii hovered around 40 to 45 percent silver, with alloy composition supplemented by copper. While theoretical weights were historically set near 3.2 grams, observed specimens from this period fluctuate considerably due to production tolerances and chemical variability.

Production and Mint Allocation

The catalogue type RIC IV Elagabalus 123b is securely attributed to the central imperial mint at Rome. While provincial and eastern branch mints such as Antioch also struck coinage for Elagabalus, the stylistic attributes and systematic die engraving of this specific catalogue entry reflect the output of the principal Rome officinae. The mint operated through structured workshops tasked with striking synchronized series of silver denarii and bronze denominations. Blank planchets were cast and struck by hand using engraved iron dies. Striking tolerances at Rome permitted noticeable variations in planchet thickness, alignment, and flan size, meaning that while the core design remained standardized, individual dies display subtle differences in drapery folds, lettering spacing, and anatomical proportions of the deities.

Obverse Iconography and Imperial Portrayal

The obverse of RIC IV Elagabalus 123b presents a right-facing portrait bust of the emperor. The young ruler is depicted wearing the imperial laurel wreath, with laurel ties trailing at the nape of his neck. His shoulders are dressed in classical drapery (paludamentum), which is sometimes accompanied by cuirass detailing beneath the folds. This visual presentation emphasizes youth combined with traditional imperial gravitas. Rather than showcasing the exotic priesthood attire associated with the Syrian cult of Elagabal that appeared later in his reign, this early obverse formula relies strictly on orthodox Roman imperial iconography to communicate continuity with his ostensible Antonine ancestry.

Reverse Iconography of Mars Victor

The reverse iconography of this issue depicts Mars, the Roman god of war, in an active, advancing stance toward the right. Mars is shown helmeted and otherwise nude, except for a chlamys or cloak draped over his shoulder and fluttering behind him to suggest dynamic movement. In his right hand, he grasps a transverse spear held diagonally, while his left hand supports a trophy of captured military arms resting over his left shoulder. This classical representation of Mars Victor ('Mars the Victorious') served an overt political purpose, invoking the protection of the war god and celebrating the military prowess that elevated and sustained the imperial dynasty.

Epigraphy and Legend Structure

The inscriptions on RIC IV Elagabalus 123b follow traditional Roman epigraphic conventions. The obverse legend reads IMP CAES M AVR ANTONINVS AVG, an abbreviated form of Imperator Caesar Marcus Aurelius Antoninus Augustus. By asserting the name Marcus Aurelius Antoninus, the legend deliberately reinforces the boy-emperor's fabricated lineage as the son of Caracalla. The reverse legend reads MARS VICTOR, serving as an explicit invocation of Mars in his victorious aspect. The lettering was cut directly into the working dies, with characters radiating outwardly toward the rim of the coin. Epigraphic variations among distinct dies are limited primarily to letter spacing and the precise placement of stops.

Typology and Chronological Classification

Within the typology of Roman Imperial Coinage, type 123 is divided based on bust drapery varieties: 123a features a laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust, whereas 123b designates the laureate and draped bust without prominent cuirass detailing. The issue lacks tribunician or consular numbering, dating it broadly between AD 218 and AD 222, though stylistic studies and portraiture development place this specific Mars Victor series predominantly in the earlier half of the reign, following the initial accession issues. The type belongs to an undated series that ran parallel to issues carrying annual tribunician dates, maintaining consistent reverse thematic messaging alongside personifications of Fides, Providentia, and Victoria.

Circulation, Hoard Evidence, and Survival

Coins of RIC IV Elagabalus 123b circulated extensively across the western and eastern provinces of the Roman Empire. Hoard evidence from Roman Britain, the Rhine frontier, and the Balkan provinces demonstrates that denarii of Elagabalus remained in active circulation alongside earlier Severan and late Antonine coinage through the middle of the third century AD. Because of their debased silver content relative to second-century denarii, they were subject to Gresham's law dynamics, but they frequently appear in third-century savings hoards buried during the crisis years of the AD 250s and 260s. Surviving specimens exhibit varying degrees of wear, indicating sustained circulation before deposition.

References

1. Coins of the Roman Empire in the British Museum, Vol. V: Pertinax to Elagabalus. Elagabalus, Rome Mint
2. The Roman Imperial Coinage, Vol. IV, Part II: Macrinus to Pupienus. p. 39, no. 123b
3. Online Coins of the Roman Empire (OCRE). Elagabalus Denarii
4. Online Coins of the Roman Empire: RIC IV Elagabalus 123b. ric.4.el.123b