Roman Silver & Bronze - Roman Imperial

Lot 4507    SESSION 16 (9.30AM FRIDAY 2ND AUGUST)    Roman Silver & Bronze - Roman Imperial

Estimate $300
Bid at live.noble.com.au
SOLD $260

CARACALLA, (A.D.198-217), issue struck at Rome in 216, AE As, (10.90 g), obv. M AVR ANTONINVS PIVS AVG GERM, bust draped and cuirassed to right, rev. around P M TR P XVIIII COS IIII P P, S C in exergue, Pluto wearing polos seated to left, right hand on knee, holding sceptre in left hand, to left Cerberus, (S.-, cf.RIC 542 & 560, C.-). Attractive portrait, good very fine and extremely rare, apparently unpublished.

Ex Dr V.J.A. Flynn Collection and previously M.R.Roberts with ticket. Also Noble Numismatics Sale 68, lot 2252 and Sale 53, lot 2461.
A most important coin. This reverse example is known with laureate head to right and legend ANTONINVS PIUS AVG GERM. This piece with variant legend (see above) and different bust is unpublished. The reverse with Pluto and Cerebus on coins is extremely rare, and for the Roman series only two are known. Pluto was the god of the Underworld (the Greek god Hades) and Cerberus was the three headed canine guard dog of the Underworld who was also dragged from the Underworld by Hercules to see the light of day. The three heads of this monster were said to signify the power of Pluto over the three elements of water, earth and air.