Caracalla. AD 198-217. AR Denarius (19 mm, 3.14 gms). Rome mint. Struck AD 217. Laureate head right / VICT PARTHICA, Victory seated right on cuirass, inscribing VO/XX in two lines on shield set on her knee; helmet below. RIC IV 314a note; RSC 656 var. (with javelin and hook in exergue). Fine
This coin was struck in anticipation of a Roman victory over the Parthians that was to coincide with the beginning of Caracalla's twentieth year as Augustus. Caracalla had taken the opportunity of a divided Parthian kingdom, invading their lands in early AD 216.
Meeting initial success and pushing the Parthians back deeper into their territory, the emperor decided to consolidate his gains and winter in Edessa. A decisive victory however eluded the emperor, as in the spring of AD 217, while on a trip to Carrhae, Caracalla was assassinated by a member of his bodyguard.
