Crawford 214/1, ROMAN REPUBLIC, M. Atilius Saranus, AR Denarius

Rome, The Republic.
M. Atilius Saranus, 148 BCE.
AR Denarius (3.95g; 20mm).
Rome mint.

Obverse: Helmeted head of Roma facing right; SARAN behind; X (mark-of-value = 10 asses) before.

Rev: Dioscuri galloping right with couched spears; M·ATILI, below; ROMA in linear frame in exergue.

References: Crawford 214/1b; Sydenham 398; BMCRR 679-682; Atilia 9.

Provenance: Ex Varesi (4 Jul 2018), Lot 142.

This is one of the first denarii to include the moneyer’s praenomen, nomen and cognomen, an important development in the evolution of the coinage as a means of advertising young politicians. The obverse mark-of-value is moved from behind Roma’s head to under her chin to make room for the cognomen.

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Album name:	Carausius / Second Century (199-100 BCE)
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Date added:	Dec 04, 2018
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Steve B5

[Dec 07, 2018 at 04:33 PM]

Really lovely high grade example. I wasn't aware that this was the first issue to include the moneyer's full name.

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