Back to Main Themes page | Back to Astronomy
![]()
53971
New Add to Cart Elagabalus, Stone of Emesa, ex: Mazzini
AR Denarius, 3.61g. 19.5mm. Antioch, c. 219-220 A.D. IMP ANTONINVS AVG. Laureate and draped bust of Elagabalus to right. Rev. COS III P P. Eagle with wreath in beak standing on thunderbolt in front of the Stone of Emesa, a large conical stone inscribed with five stars. RIC IV, pt. 2, 176. BMC p. 584= Arnold collection example, Glendining, London, Auction Nov. 21, 1984, lot 252= Hess-Leu, Lucerne, Auction 41, April 24-25, 1969, lot 375. C 26. Lightly toned with luster and struck from fresh dies on both sides with the reverse in very high relief. This is the finest known example of a great rarity. The stone was probably a meteorite as described by Herodian(v.3.5) as having come down from Zeus. The stone was worshipped in a temple at Emesa by Elagabalus as a symbol of the sun-god. It was then carried to Rome in 219 and placed in a temple on the Palatine. Provenance/Pedigrees Ex: Mazzini collection, Elagabalus 26(RRR), published Milan, 1957. Mint State $75,000. |
Back to Main Themes page | Back to Astronomy
Comments and questions to
webmaster@coin.com
Copyright © 1995-2025 Edward J. Waddell, Ltd. All rights reserved.