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Crawford 437/2, ROMAN REPUBLIC, Caldus, AR Denarius
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Rome, The Republic.
Caldus, 51 BCE.
AR Denarius (4.04g; 18mm).
Rome Mint.
Obverse: [C.COEL.CALDVS] COS; Bare head of C. Coelius Caldus facing right; standard with HIS behind; boar-shaped standard before.
Reverse: C.CALDVS - CALDVS.IIIVIR - IMP.A.X; Table inscribed L.CALDVS VIIVR.EPV with figure preparing epulum; flanked by trophies with shields.
References: Crawford 437/2a; Sydenham 894; BMCRR 3837; Coelia 7.
Provenance: Gorny & Mosch 269 (10 Mar 2020), Lot 965; Künker Auction 288 (13 Mar 2017), Lot 296; Sternberg Auction XI (20 Nov 1981) Lot 513; Spink/Galerie des Monnaies Auction (15 Feb 1977) Lot 446; Leopold G. P. Messenger Collection [Glendining (21 Nov 1951) Lot 62]; Clarence S. Bement (d. 1923) Collection [Ars Classica VIII (25-8 June 1924) Lot 125].
In a paper published in the 2016 Numismatic Chronicle, Bernard Woytek convincingly argues that this coin references military victories by the moneyer’s grandfather, C. Coelius Caldus (Consul in 94 BCE), in Spain and Transalpine Gaul. The obverse depicts the 94 BC consul, C. Coelius Caldus, as confirmed by the consular title abbreviation COS. References to Spain and Gaul appear on both sides of the coin. The obverse includes a vexillum inscribed HIS[pania] and a boar-shaped standard that was used by Gallic tribes. The reverse has two trophies: the left comprised of Spanish-style armor (round shield and crested helmet); and the right comprised of Gallic-style armor (oblong shield, carnyx, etc.). The left and right portions of the reverse inscription identifies C. Caldus as an imperator for 10 years. In the reverse center, a person prepares the epulum, a ritual meal. Woytek proposes that this meal was a supplication served in honor of C. Coileius Caldus’ victory against the Salluvii in 90 BCE. Caldus’ son Lucius, the moneyer’s father, was a member of the Septemviri Epulones, the college of priests that organized such feasts. Based on the inscription on the table on the reverse of this coin, it seems possible he was a member of this college of priests when they organized the supplication meal in honor of his father. The bottom portion of the reverse inscription identifies our moneyer, Caldus (IIIVIR means he is one of the three men superintending the coining of money). Ultimately, the coin references three members of the family: moneyer, father and grandfather.
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