Elagabalus Antoninianus “fides Exercitvs” — Certificate Of Authenticity

A silver antoninianus of Elagabalus, struck at Rome at the beginning of the reign (period commonly placed between AD 218 and 222), a specimen of strong “numismatic” interest because it combines, on the obverse, the radiate imperial portrait and the titulature IMP CAES ANTONINVS AVG, and, on the reverse, an explicit military program FIDES EXERCITVS, where Fides is shown seated left holding a legionary eagle and a standard, while a second standard appears in the field—an arrangement fully consistent with the reference descriptions and published specimens under the same concordances RIC IV 67 and Cohen 28.

Each specimen is examined, described, and accompanied by a certificate of authenticity in accordance with the standards of the art and heritage market, and the attribution is presented on strictly verifiable criteria (legends, type, figurative composition), so that the collector’s confidence may rest on a clear and controllable basis.

Careful observation under ×10 magnification and raking light: direct examination highlights an antoninianus flan of large module (22 mm), with relief still well organized on the identifying elements, including on the obverse a clearly structured radiate crown and a draped and cuirassed silhouette consistent with the type, while on the reverse the scene reads with convincing hierarchy—Fides seated, the aquila (eagle) held in the right hand and the standard in the left, the second standard isolated in the field—all framed by the legend FIDES EXERCITVS as expected for this issue.

Authority / period: Elagabalus (AD 218–222), Rome issue within the reign period.

Mint: Rome.

Denomination / metal: Antoninianus (AR).

Diameter / weight: 22 mm; 4.52 g (specimen data).

Obverse: IMP CAES ANTONINVS AVG, radiate, draped, and cuirassed bust right.

Reverse: FIDES EXERCITVS, Fides seated left holding eagle and standard; second standard in the field.

References: RIC IV 67; Cohen 28 (type concordances).

The choice of FIDES EXERCITVS belongs to a perfectly legible political grammar, as it constitutes an appeal to the loyalty of the army, a cardinal virtue at a time when imperial authority—particularly in the early 3rd century—rests upon the adherence of the troops and the stability of commands; numismatic tradition expresses this idea repeatedly through the presence of standards and the legionary eagle, true “signs” of military obedience to the prince.

By way of situating the denomination itself, it may be recalled that the antoninianus was introduced under Caracalla and is recognizable by the radiate imperial portrait, an iconographic convention signaling the theoretical “double” value relative to the denarius, the monetary framework within which Elagabalus’ issue naturally belongs.

This antoninianus particularly appeals to collectors seeking, beyond the portrait, iconography of strong institutional content, since the seated Fides scene accompanied by standards forms a visual synthesis of Roman discipline and the idea of an “army as guarantor of order,” while the clear titulature and the broad module of the antoninianus provide a cabinet presence notably greater than that of smaller denominations, enhancing the coin’s appeal for a thematic “Severans / army / virtues” collection.

The provenance is European, from an established numismatic dealer, and the acquisition was conducted through a specialized international transaction within a recognized numismatic network, according to the highest standards of the art and heritage market; the attribution rests on the verifiable concordance of legends and type with the reference notices RIC 67 / Cohen 28, explicitly cited in professional catalogues.
Each specimen is examined, described, and accompanied by a certificate of authenticity in accordance with the standards of the art and heritage market, ensuring clear traceability, stable description, and a serene transfer.