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Research Coins: Feature Auction

 

Stone of Emesa

Sale: CNG 76, Lot: 1546. Estimate $25000. 
Closing Date: Wednesday, 12 September 2007. 
Sold For $29500. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

Elagabalus. AD 218-222. AV Aureus (6.33 g, 12h). Rome mint. Struck AD 220-221. IMP ANTONINVS PIVS AVG, Laureate and cuirassed bust right / CONSERVATOR AVG, Slow quadriga left drawing the Stone of Emesa surmounted by an eagle; star above. RIC IV 61; Thirion 244; Calicó 2987a (this coin illustrated); BMCRE 198. EF.


At the age of fourteen, Varius Avitus Bassianus (Elagabalus) inherited the office of high priest of the sun-god Elagabalus at Emesa in Syria. The cult of his sun god was represented by a sacred stone, and in AD 219 when he moved from Emesa to Rome, he took the stone, probably a meteorite, with him. This coin type commemorates this event. During his reign, Elagabalus devoted his efforts to the promotion of his cult god, building a lavish temple to house the stone.