About the face value of the coin

This coins features the denomination value in the shape of letter E, placed at right (heraldic perspective), between the claw of the eagle and one of the standards. Letter E (epsilon) being the fifth of the Greek alphabet, it stood for the value of 5, so that the piece was worth five assaria. The assarion was used for certain bronze coins struck by several Greek cities on the western and northern rim of the Black Sea (Tomis, Callatis, Chersones, Tyras, Olbia and many more). Callatis struck pieces of 1 assarion, 2, 3, 4 and 5 assaria, bearing as denomination value one of the following: Α, Β, Γ, Δ or Ε. The Romans also called the 2 assaria coin dupondius, the 3 assaria tressis, the 4 assaria sestertius, the 5 assaria quincussis, and the 10 assaria decussis.

It has to be noticed that denomination values appear on very few ancient coins. Consequently, a common metal coin is usually reffered to by letters AE (AE standing for Latin aes, generic term used for copper based alloys) followed by the diameter. Therefore this coin is an AE 27, but also a 5 assaria.

About the legend on the obverse

The legend accompanying the portrait of Caracalla, AV K M AVP ANTONINO, is the Greek translation of the Latin IMP(erator) M(arcus) AVR(elius) ANTONINVS. The word imperator was translated by autocrator (autokrates in Greek meaning governing by one's self), IMP being replaced by AV. Letter K following AV is most probably short for Kaisar, Caesar. There are several Roman coins on which titles IMP(erator), CAES(ar) and AVG(VSTUS) appear simultaneously.

About emperor Caracalla

Caracalla (188 - 217) was the eldest son of emperor Septimius Severus and empress Julia Domna. The name Caracalla is actual a nickname given by historians in order to differentiate him from Elagabalus (who was proclaimed emperor under the same official name). It seems that the nickname came from a cloak or mantle used in Gaul. Caracalla had the habit to wear such a mantle during his military campaigns.

At birth Caracalla was named Septimius Bassianus, after the name of his father and of his grandfather. In 196 AD Septimius Severus gave the title of Caesar to his son, and with this occasion the name of Caracalla was changed to Marcus Aurelius Antoninus. This measure was a political one: the new name claimed a kinship (inexistent in reality) with the emperors from the Antoninian dynasty. In 198 AD Caracalla has received the title of Augustus, and he ruled together with his father until 211 AD. In 211 and 212 Caracalla ruled together with his brother Geta. Geta was assassinated in the very arms of his mother as ordered by Caracalla himself.

Caracalla left the administration of the state in the hand of his mother, empress Julia Domna. To cope with the expenses a monetary reform was imposed, degrading the amount of precious metal inside the aureus from 7.266 grams to 6.54 grams and introducing the Antoninianus. Antoninianus was a 5.45 gram piece, holding 20% silver, and stated officially as being worth two silver denarii. The new coin was conventionally named antoninianus, after emperor's name. The real name used in the 3rd century is unknown.

Emperor Caracalla was killed in 217 AD by a centurion from his personal guard, instigated by Macrinus, prefect of the praetorium.