Palau – 2011 – 1 Dollar – The Coins of the Roman Empire ANTONIUS CARACELLA (BU)

Description

Metal: Gold .9999
Weight: 0.5 g
Diameter: 11.8 mm
Quality: BU
Mintage: 15’000 pcs.

An Aureus from Marcus Antoninus, named Caracalla. He was Septimius Severus’s oldest son, was born in today’s Lyon, and was Roman Emperor from 211 until 217. His main interests lay in the army. He had not much time for politics and administration. His father wanted him to take over the reign together with his younger brother Geta. However Caracalla had him killed – he died in his mother’s arms. He couldn’t set aside the bad reputation which was brought on by this crime for the rest of his life. The Praetorian prefect, Marcus Macrinus, who also claimed the imperial honours, eventually organised the murder of the 29 year old Caracalla in 217.