Caracalla, 198-217. Aureus (Gold, 20 mm, 7.22 g, 12 h), Rome, 202. ANTON P AVG PON TR P V COS Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust of Caracalla to right, seen from behind. Rev. ADVENTVS - AVGVSTOR Galley sailing left with five rowers; at stern, Septimius Severus, Caracalla and Geta seated left under arch and acrosolium with flanking standards; at prow, mast slanted forward and sail. BMC p. 232, note †. Calicó 2660 (same dies). Cohen -. RIC 58. Very rare. Minor traces of mounting, otherwise, good very fine.

This aureus was issued to commemorate the return of the imperial family from their long stay in the East, where Septimius Severus had sacked the Parthian capital Ktesiphon in 197/8 and established the new provinces of Mesopotamia and Osroene. In the following years, the emperor restructured the limes orientalis and visited Egypt before returning to Italy, in 202, through Asia Minor and the Balkans