ROMAN EMPIRE - NOVEL Elagabalus (218-222). Aureus ND (218-219), Rome. Av. IMP CAES M AVR ANTONINVS AVG. Laureate bust, draped and cuirassed, right. Rv. FIDES MILITVM. Elagabalus in military garb, laurelled and holding a spear, advancing right between two soldiers, the one in front holding a shield. Behind them, three military ensigns. Calicó 2994 - RIC.76d ; Gold - 7,39 g - 20,5 mm - 12 h Originally acquired from a Swiss bank in the 1990s, then from a private purchase from Sabine Bourgey in 2006 and finally sold at Nomos 24, 22 May 2022, no. 421. NGC: coming soon. On a broad blank, with a centred and vigorous strike. In its mint condition, the fields retain their original lustre under a delicate golden patina. Corner flower. Elagabalus was the son of Julia Soaemias (herself the daughter of Julia Maesa and sister of Julia Mamaea). He is depicted with a draped and cuirassed bust, like a Roman military leader, on the obverse, and in full military dress, accompanied by two soldiers on the reverse. When he arrived in Rome, publicly devoted to the Stone of Emisa, and surrounded by eunuch priests and dancing priestesses, and soon began marrying and divorcing Vestals, his "oriental decadence" was quickly revealed. His power-hungry grandmother ordered the Praetorians to kill him and his mother and throw their bodies into the Tiber, leaving the throne to her other grandson, Severus Alexander.