Seleucis and Pieria, Raphanea
Elagabalus (218-222 CE)
AE 23.45mm 8.01g
Obverse: Radiate, draped and cuirassed bust right
Reverse: Genius standing facing, head left, holding patera and cornucopia, eagle to right, bull to left
ASNG Copenhagen 385
Ex Phil Peck (Morris) Collection
Ex Malloy (Alex Malloy) Collection
Raphanea was an ancient city in Syria Secunda and it was mentioned by Josephus as being viewed by Titus on his way north from Berytos after the destruction of Jerusalem. It was the headquarters of the Legio III Gallica. This was the same legion that drove Elagabalus to the seat of Emperor, since it was close to his religious home of Emesa.
The symbol of this legion was the bull, which is the most likely appearance for it on this coin.