Denarius of Elagabalus
After seeing a denarius of Elagabalus on this website last week David Bryden sent in images of a specimen that he had recently unearthed. The coin featured last week was the first denarius of this emperor that had come in and then a few days later we have another.
On the obverse the legend reads IMP CAES ANTONINVS AVG around the laureate and draped bust of Elagabalus. As I’ve said on previous occasions, if the legend on the obverse of a Roman coin reads ANTONINVS then don’t take it for granted that it was struck for Antoninus Pius.
On the reverse the enthroned figure of Fides Militum holds an eagle and a standard and is accompanied by a legend reading FIDES EXERCITVS. In volume II of David Sear’s Roman Coins and Their Values this denarius is listed as number 7511. The type was struck at Rome during AD 218-19.
Valuation
The coin can have circulated for only a very short time as it is in VF+ condition. However, a minus point is its colour; collectors much prefer denarii be silver in appearance, rather that greyish looking. Gold doesn’t tarnish but silver does and many detecting finds turn up exactly like this denarius. It’s still a great detecting find but in its present condition I’d price it no higher than £40 – £50.
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