Elagabalus, 218-222, silver Denarius, Rome, 219 AD.

Elagabalus, (218-222 AD), silver Denarius, Rome, 219 AD, IMP ANTONINVS PIVS AVG, laureate and draped bust of Elagabalus right, rev. PAX AVGVSTI, Pax advancing left, holding branch in her right hand and long sceptre in her left. 2.36 g, (BMC 223. Cohen 120. RIC 125. Thirion 295). Struck in high relief. Good extremely fine.

Elagabalus was Roman emperor from 218 to 222 AD and belonged to the Severan dynasty. He became emperor at around fourteen years old after his grandmother, Julia Maesa, helped organise a revolt against the emperor Macrinus. Elagabalus was originally known as Varius Avitus Bassianus and took his name from the Syrian sun god Elagabal, whom he served as priest before becoming emperor. His reign was controversial because he attempted to promote the worship of Elagabal above Rome's traditional gods. He brought the sacred black stone associated with the god from Emesa in Syria to Rome and built a temple for it. His religious policies, combined with his youth and unconventional behaviour, contributed to his poor reputation among Roman writers. Elagabalus also faced political difficulties and struggled to maintain the support of the army and Senate. His grandmother eventually turned her support towards his cousin, Alexander Severus, who was presented as a more suitable successor. In 222 AD, Elagabalus was assassinated by members of the Praetorian Guard, along with his mother Julia Soaemias. He was only about eighteen years old. His cousin Alexander Severus became emperor, bringing Elagabalus' short and Unstable reign to an end.

The obverse legend IMP ANTONINVS PIVS AVG translates to "Emperor Antoninus Pius Augustus."

The reverse legend PAX AVGVSTI translates to "The Peace of Augustus."