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Crawford 041/5, ROMAN REPUBLIC, Anonymous Post Semi-Libral, Aes Grave AE As
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Rome, The Republic.
Anonymous Post-Semilibral, 215-212 BCE.
AE Aes Grave As (41.26g; 35mm).
Rome Mint.
Obverse: Janus head.
Reverse: Prow facing left; I (mark-of-value) above.
References: Crawford 41/5a; Vecchi 105; Syd 101; Haeberlin pg. 119-123.
Provenance: Ex Spink Auction (23 Mar 2016), Lot 1085; NAC Auction 7 (1 Mar 1994), Lot 419.
By the time of this issue, weight standard of Roman bronze coins had reduced to the point that larger denomination bronzes could be struck from dies. The Crawford 41 series contains both cast and struck asses. Crawford acknowledged that he was likely lumping multiple series into the 41 series. The cast asses are of widely varying weight with style ranging from mediocre to comically horrendous. The devices also vary, with prows facing left or right. Haeberlin reports weights ranging from 132 grams down to 41 grams. There are probably multiple issues produced by multiple mints at play. This is not surprising as the exigent wartime circumstances (Hannibal's invasion) may have forced decentralized coin production.
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