184, Lot: 107. Estimate $150. Sold for $343. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

IONIA, Smyrna. Caracalla. AD 198-217. Æ 34mm (25.16 g). Laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust right / Three tetrastyle temples; the left temple with a statue of Hadrian within; the central temple with a statue of Roma seated left within; the right temple with a statue of Tiberius within. Klose 24 (V4/R24); SNG Copenhagen 1389 (same dies). VF, brown surfaces, a little rough, reverse strike a bit soft.

During the imperial period a city could assume the title ‘Neokoros’ if it built a temple, especially one devoted to the cult of the emperor. The building of the temple required the approval of the emperor and the Senate. This temple, with its associated cult, title, and festival (as well as the commerce these generated) brought prestige to a city that had one. Smyrna was awarded the honor three times, as were Ephesus and Pergamum. These cities assumed the additional title of PRWTH ASIAS, reflecting their status as the most important cities in Asia. Smyrna was recognized first by Tiberius, second by Hadrian, and finally by Caracalla. This coin shows the temples of Tiberius and Hadrian with the cult statue of each within. However, the central temple has a statue of Roma instead of Caracalla. The reason for this is that a new temple was not built for Caracalla. Instead the existing temple of Roma was rededicated to his cult.

This coin likely dates from AD 212 to 217 AD. As no coins of Geta from Smyrna reflect the honor, it was probably conferred after his murder.