A Woman on a Coin?

A portrait on this side of a coin in Roman imperial times normally has two functions. It tells the people who the current emperor is and it guarantees the value of the coin.

However, the face of power on this coin is of a woman, Plautilla, the wife of Caracalla - just a woman. Where is the emperor, her husband who we expect to be in the place of power?

There were actually several coins with the same reverse type struck with Caracalla depicted on the obverse, which shows there was someone who consciously chose which portrait to put on the obverse, which could be a woman as well. All in all, this portrait of Plautilla represents the power of the Roman Empire! Still, Caracalla is represented on that obverse as well. If you want to know where or why, keep reading!