HistoricalCoins

Sale: CNG 69, Lot: 1151. Closing Date: Jun 08, 
2005. CILICIA, Tarsus. Caracalla. 198-217 AD. Æ 
32mm (18.18 gm, 12h). Struck 215 AD. BID 
Estimate $200  

CILICIA, Tarsus. Caracalla. 198-217 AD. Æ 32mm 
(18.18 gm, 12h). Struck 215 AD. Mantled bust 
right, wearing demiourgic crown / Elephant 
standing left, bearing Ciliarch crown inscribed O 
MAK KI on its back; GB to left. SNG Levante Supp. 
269 (this coin); SNG France 1541 var. (legend; 
same obv. die). Fine, olive patina with 
whitish-beige overtones. A unique variety of an 
extremely rare and desirable issue. ($200)

The acronym MAK stands for Prwth Megisth Kallisth 
(First, Greatest, Most Beautiful), epithets 
granted to the city upon Caracalla's arrival there 
in 215 AD; the addition of O(reoiV) KI(likwn) (for 
the hills of the Cilicias), here for the only 
time, was used to differentiate Tarsos from other 
cities in Asia Minor upon which Caracalla bestowed 
the same epithets during his progress east to 
battle the Parthians.
High bid of $225, $258.75 including 15% buyers fee, or approximately €182.25, £123.75, C$281.25, A$292.5, on June 8, 2005.

Used by permission of CNG, www.cngcoins.com