Coin of Caracalla, Roman Emperor from Smyrna | Yale University Art Gallery

198–217

Readers of ancient sources such as Dio Chrysostom, Aelius Aristides, and above all Pliny the Younger are aware that one of the damaging aspects of allowing cities relative freedom was the competition that arose among them. One object of this competition was the title neokoros, "Temple Warden," which was bestowed by the emperor in granting permission for a temple to be built in honor of himself. Smyrna had three of these, portrayed on the reverse of this coin; they are labeled above "of the Augusti," and the city is proclaimed "first three times neokorate," a title also claimed by Ephesus and Pergamum.

Medium: Bronze
Dimensions: 23.64 g, 6:00, 25 mm
Credit Line: Ruth Elizabeth White Fund
Accession Number: 2003.20.1
Geography: Made in Smyrna, Ionia
Culture: Roman
Period: Imperial
Classification: Numismatics
Disclaimer: Note: This electronic record was created from historic documentation that does not necessarily reflect the Yale University Art Gallery’s complete or current knowledge about the object. Review and updating of records is ongoing.

Numismatics

Obverse Description

Obverse Description: Au K M Au Antonenos S [Gk.] Bust laureate draped cuirassed r. seen from behind

Reverse Description

Reverse Description: Ton Seba / st - on [Gk.] above three tetrastyle temples, each with wreath on fastigium; center temple shows statue of Roma seated l. holding uncertain object in r. and spear or sceptre in l. Beneath, Smyrnaion p / roton G ne / okoron [Gk.]

Provenance

Münzen und Medaillen, Weil am Rhein, Germany, November 7, 2002, cat. 11, lot 75; Yale University Art Gallery, New Haven, Conn.

Object copyright

No Copyright - United States

Additional information

Object/Work type

coins, money

Technical metadata and APIs

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