Ave!

Syria, Seleucis and Pieria, Caracalla, Tetradrachm, Eagle with Murex Shell reverse

AR; 26mm/13.0gm     Struck ca. 208-212 AD

Con/ Very Fine; a well-centered and sharply struck example of this scarce issue.

Obv/  AYT KAI ANTωNINOC C; laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust right.

Rev/ ΔHMAPX ?Ξ YΠATOCTO A •; Eagle standing facing on club, head left, with wings spread, holding wreath in beak; murex shell between legs.

Ref/ Prieur 1536; Bellinger 297

Seller's Note/ The murex shell was famous for it's costly and labor-intensive Tyrian purple (or "royal purple") dye that was used for expensive garments, such as the ancient Roman emperors!