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Crawford 362/1, ROMAN REPUBLIC, C. Mamilius Limetanus, AR Denarius
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Rome. The Republic.
C. Mamilius Limetanus, 82 BC.
AR Serrate Denarius (3.97g; 20mm).
Rome Mint.
Obverse: Draped bust of Mercury facing right, wearing winged petasus ; caduceus over l. shoulder; behind, I.
Reverse: C·MAMIL – LIMETAN Ulysses advancing right, holding staff and extending his right hand to his dog Argus.
References: Crawford 362/1; Sydenham 741; Mamilia 6.
Provenance: NAC Sale 78 (26 May 2014), Lot 627.
The Mamilia gens claimed descent from Telegonus, the son of Ulysses and Circe, and so they depict Ulysses on their coins. This denarius is probably the most popular “dog” type in Roman numismatics, depicting the famous scene from Homer’s Odyssey in which Odysseus returns home to Ithaca, disguised as a beggar, and is recognized only by his faithful dog, Argus, who dies after greeting his long-lost master. Homer clearly describes Argus as a hunting hound, trained by Odysseus before he left for Troy. During Odysseus’ absence, Argus hunted deer, hare and wild goats. The 20-year-old Argus is described by Homer as swift, strong and a good tracker in his youth. On the coin, he looks like a slim and short-haired Laconian hound.
The purpose of serrate denarii has long been disputed. They were first employed for the Wheel Series denarii of 209-208 BCE (Crawford 79/1) and were used from time to time thereafter. Some argue that they were meant to complicate counterfeiting (at least a partial failure, as fourree serrati are known); others that that were intended to display solid metal content for certain government expenses; others that they were merely decorative. An interesting theory that I recently read suggest they were intended to dissuade mint workers from swallowing denarii while on the job! No serrate denarii were produced after 59 BCE (Crawford 412/1, redated by Hersh and Walker), so either they were not particularly effective at their intended purpose, or the added production costs were simply too great, or the need (whatever it was) ceased. The serrations were almost certainly cut prior to striking, as the chisel cuts are typically flattened by the strike.
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