Provincial bronze issue of Caracalla (AD 198–217), son of Septimius Severus, struck at Laodicea ad Lycum in Phrygia, belongs to the civic coinage of Asia Minor, where imagery connected with prosperity and civic protection played a central role.
The obverse presents a laureate, cuirassed and draped bust of the emperor facing right, with the Greek legend AY K M ANTΩNEI, a shortened form of his name and titulature.
The reverse depicts Tyche standing left, holding a rudder (gubernaculum) and a cornucopia, with the legend ΛAOΔIKEΩN, referring to the civic community of the city as the issuing authority. Tyche, as the personification of fortune and the tutelary deity of the city, was among the most frequently represented figures in municipal coinage, symbolizing both control over destiny and material prosperity.
The combination of the rudder, signifying guidance and direction, with the cornucopia, representing abundance, conveys a coherent ideological message emphasizing the well-being of the city under imperial protection.
Roman Provincial
Phrygia, Laodicea ad Lycum, Caracalla (198-217), AE
Obverse: laureate, draped and cuirassed bust right
AY K M ANTΩNEI
Reverse: Tyche standing left, holding rudder and cornucopia
ΛAOΔIKEΩN
Diameter 25 mm, weight 8.32 g
