Roman Empire, Caracalla 198-217, Antoninianus, Rome

Weight 5.40 g, 22 mm. Antoninian minted in Rome in 217 AD. Extremely rare and desirable reverse type. Reference: RIC IV 297c corr. (VOT XX). Provenance: ex Barnaba Skibniewski; ex Numismatic Naumann Auction 153 lot 834 (625 EUR hammer). This coin was struck in anticipation of a Roman victory over the Parthians coinciding with the beginning of Caracalla’s twentieth year as Augustus. Hoping to take advantage of a divided Parthian kingdom, in early AD 216 AD, Caracalla invaded, pushing the Parthians eastward. Caracalla then withdrew to winter in Edessa. Caracalla’s final victory, however, would never happen, for, while on a trip to Carrhae in the spring of AD 217, the emperor was assassinated by a member of his bodyguard.