| Coin Description | Caracalla, silver denarius 16.3mm, Grade gVF, The coin is struck slightly off-centre, RIC 13b, RSC 505, BMC 208, Bought from Forvm Ancient Coins. |
| Obverse | The portrait is of Caracalla a draped and cuirassed bust facing right. The legend reads M AVR ANTON CAES PONTIF meaning: M AVR ANTON (when he became Caesar his name was changed to Marcus Aurelius Antoninus) CAES (Caesar denoting him as heir to the throne) PONTIF (priest of the gods the one who would carry out the official sacrifices to the gods, there where 15 pontiffs who 's position was filled only by the highest members of society) |
| Reverse | The reverse shows Caracalla standing left holding a baton and a spear with a tropaeum (trophy depicting the armor and weapons of a vanquished enemy) to his right. The legend reads PRINCIPI IVVENTVTIS "Principi Juventutis" which translates as "First Among the Knights" or "First Among the Youth" and denotes him as being at the head of the equites equo publico. |
| Mint | The coin was minted at Rome |
| The Entire Story | This whole coin screams promotional piece giving Caracalla the titles of Pontif and Princeps Juventutis both very important titles. With the Princeps Juventutis title denoting him as an heir to the throne. The trophy stand also depicts him as a successful commander in the army. This entire coin depicts Caracalla as a worthy heir to the throne. |
