Contorniate, Caracalla type, Rome, late IVth century AD; AE (g 22,98; mm 40; h 12); ANTONINVS - PIVS AVG, laureate and cuirassed bust of Caracalla r., Rv. The bestiarius, wearing cap and clothes of an archetypal Phrygian or Persian hero or deity [Men, Attis or Mithras ?], holding cylindrical circus prop with an axle placed on the ground line, in defence against a panther leaping to l. Alföldi 1976, 412, pls. 173.12, 174.1-2; A. and E. Alföldi, Die Kontorniat-Medallions, Teil 2, Text, 1990, p. 216, Rs 207-8; Sabatier pl. 3, 13 (obverse), pl. 9, 5 (reverse).
Extremely rare, only three specimens recorded by Alföldi, but all in inferior condition: 1) Milano, Museo Teatro della Scala, 2) Paris, BnF, Cabinet des Mèdailles and 3) London, British Museum.
Fine dark patina, as struck, sharp Extremely Fine wit superb pronounce detail. A numismatic gem.

The reverse of this coin depicts a circus scene where a bestiarius (circus animal fighter) wearing a Phrygian hat and propping up a roller or protection gadget against an attacking panther. Another example of this device can be seen on the circus relief from Sofia.

The numismatic term contorniate derives from the Italian contorno, 'surround', and was invented to describe a class of coin-like medallions with an average diameter of about 40mm, usually struck in orichalcum with their rims surrounded by a solco di contorno 'surrounding furrow'. This, similar to earlier hammered up coins, gave them a rim for easy finger pick-up and may indicate that they were intended to be calculi (counters) for board games or souvenirs of a pagan nature. They were private productions of the late 4th and early 5th centuries, often cast and inlayed with symbols, and depict popular emperors from Augustus to Anthemius, historical and mythical events, poets, philosophers and many sports themes connected to the circus and amphitheatre, especially victorious horses and aurigae.