Roman Imperial

Plautilla, Augusta, wife of Caracalla (AD 202-205) 

Denomination:    silver AR denarius

Weight:    3.06 grams

Diameter:    18 mm

Die Axis:    6 h

Struck:    AD 202-203

Mint:    Rome, Italy

Obverse:    PLAVTILLAE AVGVSTAE, draped bust right

Reverse:    CONCORDIA AVGG, Concordia standing left, holding patera and scepter

References:    

• Roman Imperial Coinage (RIC) volume IV 359 (Caracalla)
• Coins of the Roman Empire in the British Museum (BMCRE) volume V 398-399 (Caracalla)
• Roman Silver Coins (RSC) volume III 2

Grade / Comments:    Good Very Fine / Very Fine, lovely portrait

Publia Fulvia Plautilla was married to her second cousin Caracalla in AD 202.  Although Plautilla came with a magnificent dowry, this arranged marriage between the fourteen year old Caracalla and slightly older Plautilla was not a happy one.  Cassius Dio comments that Caracalla despised her and that Plautilla was a shameless profligate.  Unfortunately for Plautilla, three years into the marriage her father, Gaius Fulvius Plautianus, one of the wealthiest men in Rome, fell from favor with Septimius Severus.  He was executed for treason and his family properties were confiscated.  Caracalla immediately divorced Plautilla and she was sent into exile in AD 205.  Caracalla never remarried, and Plautilla was strangled on his orders shortly after Septimius Severus died in early AD 211.

Coins are guaranteed genuine for life.  Additionally, returns may be made within 30 days of receipt for any reason as long as items are undamaged and unaltered.