Janus

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Janus

Janus was the Roman god of gates, doors, doorways, time, beginnings, and endings. He is depicted with two faces in opposite directions; one looks back into the past, while the other simultaneously looks forward into the future. He is the namesake of the month January.

Lampsacus (as Colonia Gemella Iulia Lampsacus), Mysia, c. 45 - 35 B.C.

M. Grant (Grant FITA, p. 246) first and convincingly attributed this type to Lampsacus. P. Brunt (Italian Manpower, p. 600) argues convincingly that the colony was founded by Julius Caesar about 45 B.C. and disappeared after its occupation by Sextus Pompey in 35 B.C. Marcus Turius was the legate (governor) of Asia, 42 - 40 B.C. The countermark is listed in RPC I on other issues of the colony.

RP85355. Bronze as, RPC I 2272 (2 specimens), Grant FITA 246(4), SNG BnF -, SNG Cop -, SNGvA -; Countermark: Howgego -, F, a little rough with some smoothing, only three specimens known to Forum, weight 4.044 g, maximum diameter 17.8 mm, die axis 45^o, Lampsacus mint, 42 - 40 B.C.; obverse head of Janus, C G - I L (Colonia Gemella Iulia Lampsacus) divided across field, countermark: cornucopia, C - C flanking at sides, within a roughly square punch; reverse galley prow right, Q LVCRETI / L PONTI IIVIR (duumvirs) above, M TVRIO LEG (Marcus Turius, legate) below; extremely rare; $800.00 (�712.00)

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Roman Republic, Vergilius, Gargilius and Ogulnius, 86 B.C.

The as is the only bronze denomination struck by these moneyers.RR76801. Bronze as, BMCRR I Rome 2632, Crawford 350A/3c, Sydenham 722b, SRCV I 752, VF, encrusted areas, some spots of corrosion, weight 13.454 g, maximum diameter 28.0 mm, die axis 180^o, Rome mint, 86 B.C.; obverse laureate head of Janus, I (mark of value above); reverse OGVL GAR VER (VL, AR, and VE ligate), war galley prow left, X (control letter) before prow; $200.00 (�178.00)

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Tenedos, Islands off Troas, c. 550 - 470 B.C.

Tenedos is mentioned in both the Iliad and the Aeneid, in the latter as the island where the Greeks hid their fleet near the end of the Trojan War in order to trick the Trojans into believing the war was over and into taking the Trojan Horse within their city walls. The island was important throughout classical antiquity despite its small size due to its strategic location at the entrance of the Dardanelles. In the following centuries, the island came under the control of a succession of regional powers, including the Persian Empire, the Delian League, Alexander the Great, the Kingdom of Pergamon, the Roman Empire, the Byzantine Empire, and the Republic of Venice. As a result of the War of Chioggia (1381) between Genoa and Venice the entire population was evacuated and the town was demolished. The Ottoman Empire established control over the deserted island in 1455. During Ottoman rule, it was resettled by both Greeks and Turks. In 1807, the island was temporarily invaded by the Russians. During this invasion, the town was burnt down and many Turkish residents left the island.

GS79837. Silver hemidrachm, SNG Cop 506; SNG Munchen 338; BMC Troas p. 91, 4; HGC 6 380 (S); SNGvA -, F, toned, weight 1.644 g, maximum diameter 12.2 mm, die axis 180^o, Tenedos (Bozcaada, Turkey) mint, c. 550 - 470 B.C.; obverse archaic janiform head, male on left, female on right (Zeus and Hera?); reverse labrys (double axe), TENE∆EOΣ, all within an incuse square; scarce; $200.00 (�178.00)

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Katane, Sicily, Roman Rule, c. 212 - 50 B.C.

As observed by Strabo the location of Katane at the foot of Mount Etna on the east coast of Sicily was both a source of benefits and of evils. On the one hand, the violent outbursts of the volcano from time to time desolated great parts of the city's territory. On the other, the volcanic ashes produced fertile soil, especially suitable for the growth of vines. (Strab. vi. p. 269.).GI76962. Bronze as, cf. Calciati III p. 101, 14; BMC Sicily p. 54, 91; SNG Cop 206; SNG Morcom 558; SNG Munchen 470; SNG ANS 1303; HGC 2 619 (S), gF, well centered, reverse left side weak, weight 12.263 g, maximum diameter 24.9 mm, die axis 315^o, Katane (Catania, Sicily, Italy) mint, c. 212 - 50 B.C.; obverse head of Janus, wearing kalathos, two monograms left, one monogram right; reverse KATA-ΩN-IAN (clockwise from upper right), Demeter standing half left, stalks of grain in extended right hand, long torch vertical behind in left hand; rare; $160.00 (�142.40)

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Roman Republic, L. Memmius Galeria, 106 B.C.

Janus (or Ianus) was the god of gates, doors, doorways, beginnings and endings. He is most often depicted as having two faces or heads, facing in opposite directions. Janus is believed to be one of the few major deities in Roman mythology that does not have a Greek origin or counterpart.

RR77516. Bronze as, Crawford 313/2, Sydenham 575 (very rare), BMCRR I Rome 1357, Russo RBW 1160, SRCV I 733, gF, well centered, light corrosion, edge cracks, weight 24.804 g, maximum diameter 31.0 mm, die axis 90^o, Rome mint, 106 B.C.; obverse laureate bearded head of Janus, I (mark of value) above; reverse Prow right, head of Venus decorating acrostolium (prow-stem), Cupid standing left before prow and placing wreath on head of Venus, L MEMMI (ME ligate) above, ROMA below; from the Andrew McCabe Collection; very rare; $160.00 (�142.40)

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Thessalonica, Macedonia, 88 - 31 B.C.

King Cassander of Macedonia founded Thessalonica in 315 B.C. He named it after his wife Thessalonike, a half-sister of Alexander the Great. The Romans made Thessalonica the capital of the Roman province of Macedonia 168 B.C.GB79940. Bronze AE 26, AMNG III 19, pl. 23, 9; SNG ANS 804; SNG Cop 369; BMC Macedonia p. 112, 35, F, green patina, weight 11.809 g, maximum diameter 25.9 mm, die axis 0^o, Thessalonika (Salonika, Greece) mint, 88 - 31 B.C.; obverse laureate head of Janus, I above; reverse two Centaurs prancing, back to back, each with cloak flying behind and holding a branch, ΘEΣΣAΛO/NIKHΣ in two lines in exergue; $150.00 (�133.50)

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Roman Republic, L. Licinius Murena, 169 - 158 B.C.

RR54575. Bronze as, Crawford 186/1, Sydenham 373, F, nice green patina, weight 18.975 g, maximum diameter 29.8 mm, die axis 270^o, Rome mint, 169 - 158 B.C.; obverse laureate and bearded head of Janus, I above; reverse prow right, MVRENA above, I right; $100.00 (�89.00)

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Roman Republic, C. Vibius C.F. Pansa, 90 B.C.

In 90 B.C., Rome barely managed to stave off total defeat in the Social War. The Italians were denied citizenship and, despite making up over half the Roman army, were denied a fair share of the booty and lands. They rebelled and raised an army of 100,000 battle-hardened soldiers. After Roman victories and citizenship concessions, the war was nearly over by 88 B.C.RR59575. Copper as, Crawford 342/7d; Sydenham 690b; SRCV I 744, F, weight 7.587 g, maximum diameter 26.3 mm, die axis 270^o, Rome mint, 90 B.C.; obverse laureate head of Janus, I above; reverse ROMA, three galley prows right, C VIBI AV (AV ligate) in exergue, I right; $100.00 (�89.00)

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Roman Republic, L. Saufeius, 152 B.C.

In Roman mythology, Janus (or Ianus) was the god of gates, doors, doorways, and of beginnings and endings. Janus is one of the few major deities in Roman mythology that does not have a Greek origin or counterpart.RR73684. Bronze as, SRCV I 720, Crawford 204/2, Sydenham 385, BMCRR Rome 836, F, irregular flan with offset pre-strike casting seam, weight 23.329 g, maximum diameter 32.0 mm, die axis 90^o, Rome mint, 152 B.C.; obverse laureate and bearded head of Janus, I (mark of value) above; reverse prow right, crescent over L�SAVF (VF ligate), I (mark of value) right, ROMA below; ex Moneta; $100.00 (�89.00)

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Roman Republic, Anonymous, 211 - 208 B.C.

A miniature version of an as, struck during the Second Punic War.RR74378. Bronze reduced as, cf. Crawford 97/28, VF, nice green patina, no visible mark of value or mint mark, weight 1.553 g, maximum diameter 19.3 mm, die axis 50^o, Luceria(?) mint, 211 - 208 B.C.; obverse laureate head of bearded Janus; reverse prow of galley right, ROMA below; very rare; $100.00 (�89.00)

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Catalog current as of Monday, August 21, 2017.
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