ROME Sesterce ELAGABAL 220 AD LIBERTAS RIC. 358 VERY RARE

  

ROME - Sesterce - ELAGABAL - 220 AD - LIBERTY - RIC. Elagabal's bronzes are not common. On this specimen, the star that represents the presence in Rome of the black stone that Elagabal brought back from Emesa has been removed. This must not be easy to do and this shine can only be intentional. At the time, a hatred against Elagabal and the oriental cult he brought had sparked a violent rejection by the Romans.

This is probably why the coin was hammered to remove this hated black stone. Obverse legend: IMP CAES M AVR ANTONINVS PIVS AVG. Obverse description: Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust of Elagabal to right, seen from three-quarters behind. Reverse description: Libertas (Liberty) standing facing left, holding a cap in her right hand and a long transverse scepter in her left hand.