No.209.  Phoenicia, Sidon. Elagabalus.  Æ 26. A.D. 218-222.   

Obv: (…) M AV ANT(…). Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust right. 
Rev:  COL AVR RIA METRO, SID below. Car of Astarte on two wheels, with four 
  columns supporting roof, above which emerge four palm-branches; dotted lines 
  of ornament on roof and body of cart; within cart spherical object (Baetyl) 
  placed on base; above sphere inverted crescent (decorations on roof and base 
  not visible, other detail uncertain, figures beside base?).  

Ref: BMC 255v. 
Grade: VG, black patina with minor earthen deposits. 
Die Axis: 15°. Weight: 11.18 g. 


Contributed by Henrik Agndal, May, 2003.