Fine Coins Showcase
Antiquities Showcase
Show Empty Categories
Shop Search
Shopping Cart
My FORVM
Contact Us
About Forum
Shopping at Forum
Our Guarantee
Payment Options
Shipping Options & Fees
Privacy & Security
Forum Staff
Selling Your Coins
Identifying Your Coin
FAQs
zoom.asp
Roman Republic, Cast Aes Grave, c. 280 - 276 B.C.
In 280, King Pyrrhus of Epirus responded to an appeal from Tarentum and used his army of over 20,000 men and his war elephants to defeat the Romans at the Battle of Heraclea. Several tribes including the Lucani, Bruttii and the Messapians as well as the Greek cities of Crotone and Locri joined Pyrrhus. The Roman commander and statesman, Gaius Fabricius Luscinus, was sent to negotiate the ransom and exchange of prisoners. Pyrrhus was so impressed by Fabricius refusing to accept a bribe, that Pyrrhus released the prisoners without the requirement for a ransom. Following his victory, Pyrrhus advanced as far north as Latium. In 279, Pyrrhus, leading the combined Tarantine, Oscan, Samnite, and Greek forces, won a 'Pyrrhic victory' against the Romans at the Battle of Asculum, called such because his victory came at a great cost to his own forces. Pyrrhus is reported to have said afterward, "One more victory against the Romans and we shall be utterly ruined!" Disheartened, Pyrrhus soon abandoned Italy for Sicily.RR77392. Aes grave (cast) uncia, Crawford 14/6; Haeberlin pl. 40, 19; HN Italy 273; Thurlow-Vecchi 6a; Vecchi ICC 31, gVF, green patina, Rome mint, weight 27.152g, maximum diameter 29.5mm, c. 280 - 276 B.C.; obverse astragalos (knuckle-bone used like dice for divination and games) and pellet (mark of value); reverse pellet (mark of value); scarce; SOLD
Page created in 0.61 seconds.
