Caracalla augustus, 198 – 217. Aureus 215, AV 20 mm, 6.99 g. ANTONINVS – PIVS AVG GERM Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust r. Rev. P M TR P XVIII COS IIII P P Caracalla standing l., sacrificing over altar; behind, togate figure standing l. and before him vexillum. In front of tetrastyle temple within which statue of Aesculapius, holding serpent-wreathed wand, beside him, child (Telesphorus ?) holding wand. C 317. BMC 148. RIC 270 (misdescribed). Calicó 2732a. Extremely rare. An interesting and fascinating reverse composition and a lovely reddish tone. Minor marks, otherwise about extremely fineGraded XF, Strike: 5/5, Surface: 3/5, NGC photo certificate number 8567762-004 Ex Leu 87, 2003, Perfectionist, 64 and NAC 146, 2024, 2367 sales. The mental and physical health of Caracalla degenerated sharply toward the end of his reign, as is shown by ancient literary accounts and a great many Imperial and provincial coins. During the final stage of his life, in 214, the emperor prepared to invade the Parthian Kingdom – a campaign he hoped would enshrine him in the annals of history and would allow him to follow in the footsteps of his hero, Alexander the Great. This aureus presents a detailed scene of Caracalla sacrificing before the temple of Aesculapius in Pergamum, one of the great healing shrines of the Greek world. The fact that it was struck in Rome underscores Caracalla's desire that his eastward journey be documented in official media. The emperor's visit was even more thoroughly commemorated with a series of bronze medallions struck locally at Pergamum depicting variants of this scene, and others that related to Caracalla's sacrifices and the temples of the city. After leaving Asia Minor the army took an extraordinary detour to Egypt in 215 to visit the tomb of Alexander the Great in Alexandria, and after dealing rather harshly with civil unrest Caracalla prepared to launch his campaign in the following year. But before he could conquer the modern-day Persian Empire Caracalla was murdered along a remote stretch of road near Carrhae, victim of a coup led by his praetorian prefect Macrinus. Thus ended the life of Caracalla, the would-be Alexander novus, not as a victim of unseen dementia or illness, but in the more predictable manner of 3rd Century emperors. Please find here the video of the coin