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                              Description
                                55, Lot: 83. THRACE, Philippopolis. Caracalla. 
                                198-217 AD. Æ 28mm (17.20 gm). Laureate, draped 
                                and cuirassed bust left, holding spear and 
                                shield Estimate $200. Bidding Closed 

                                THRACE, Philippopolis. Caracalla. 198-217 AD. Æ 
                                28mm (17.20 gm). Laureate, draped and cuirassed 
                                bust left, holding spear and shield / Athlete 
                                advancing left, holding palm branch and wreath. 
                                SNG Copenhagen 781 var. (head right; reverse 
                                legend); Mionnét Supp. II, 1582 var. (same); BMC 
                                -. Fine-VF, brown patina. ($200)
                                Founded in 342 BC by Philip II, king of Macedon, 
                                Philippopolis was strategically located at the 
                                hub of the road system of inland Thrace. In 
                                Roman times it became the center of the 
                                provincial government of Thrace and was 
                                frequently referred to as ‘Trimontium’ because 
                                of the topography of the region. Its 
                                ‘provincial’ coinage in Roman Imperial times is 
                                on a considerable scale and includes many types 
                                of local interest. During the latter part of 
                                Caracalla's reign there was an important output 
                                of bronzes in the name of the ‘League of 
                                Thracian Cities’ (Koinon Thrakon) issued on the 
                                occasion of the Alexandrian Pythian Games 
                                celebrated in 214 AD. This interesting agonistic 
                                series is doubtless connected with the emperor's 
                                presence in the province at the time of his 
                                campaigns against the Iazyges and the Goths. Of 
                                all the ancient buildings of Philippopolis, only 
                                the athletic stadium remains, with its 
                                monumental entrance and a track of a little more 
                                than a stade in length (180 metres). It had a 
                                capacity of about 30,000 people. Herodian 
                                mentions the restoration of the Pythian games in 
                                the cities of Thrace at the behest of Caracalla 
                                in honour and memory of Alexander the Great. 
                                This coin is part of a series of athletic types 
                                which commemorate this restoration by the 
                                provincial assembly of the Thracians, and 
                                include fight scenes, gladiators, a discobolos, 
                                gymnasts exercising and prizes.

                              Current Status
                                55, Lot: 83. 
                                Closing Date And Time: Dec 18, 2002 11:46 AM 
EST.
                                Current Date And Time: Dec 29, 2002 5:00:17 AM 
                                EST.
                                Currently: No Bids. Bidders (0).






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From cngcoins.com on-site auction number 55, closed December 18, 2002.

Used by permission of CNG.