Marcus Aurelius Antoninus, Caesar 196 - 198, Augustus 198 - 217

Born in 188, in Lugdunum (Lyons in modern France), Marcus Aurelius Antoninus was appointed as Caesar at the age of eight by his father, Septimius Severus , and as Augustus at the age of ten. He succeeded to the throne in 211 on the death of his father, along with his brother Geta as co-emperor. Fiercely antagonistic towards each other, the arrangement could not last, and Caracalla killed his brother after only one year of joint rule. A cruel and extravagant ruler, Caracalla murdered many real and imagined opponents during his reign. He was eventually murdered by Marcus Opelius Macrinus, the prefect of the praetorian guard. The name "Caracalla" is from the long cloak that he wore. Numismatically, this reign is significant for the introduction of a new denomination coin, probably nominally worth two denarii. The name of this coin is unknown, but it is referred to as the "antoninianus", after the official name of Caracalla.

As Caesar

	AR Denarius Obv : Draped, bareheaded  bust of Caracalla, right. M AVR ANTONINVS CAES Rev : Spes walking left on tiptoes, holding flower and raising skirts. (SPEI P)ERPETVA(E)  RIC 5d, AD196 Spes represents hope. Here she represents the hope for the future in  Caracalla. Well that didn't turn out did it?
	AR Denarius Obv : Draped, bare headed  bust  of Caracalla, right. M AVR ANTON CAES PONTIF Rev : Felicitas stg l, holding caduceus and child (IMPERII) FELICITAS  RIC 9, AD197-8 Felicitas represents prosperity and happiness.

As Augustus

	AR Denarius Obv : Laureate head of Caracalla, right. ANTONINVS PIVS AVG GERM Rev : Indulgentia, seated left, holding patera and sceptre INDVLGENTIAE AVG AD 213 - 217 Indulgentia represents the indulgence and mercy of the emperor.
	AR Denarius Obv : Laureate head of Caracalla, right. ANTONINVS PIVS AVG GERM Rev : Fides standing left, holding a standard in each hand and flanked by a further standard on each side. PM TRP XVIII COS IIII PP AD 215 Fides here represents the loyalty of the army.