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AE Aes Rude - Before 300 BCECENTRAL ITALY (Rome?)
8th-3rd Century BCE
Aes Rude (221.1g; circa 60mm long)
Rough cast bronze; as made.
Reference: Vecchi, ICC 1; BMCRR (Aes Rude) 1-11; Thurlow-Vecchi p. 15. pl. 2.
Provenance: Ex Jencek Historical Enterprises, acquired privately 14 Feb 2011 from Frank Kovacs; ex David Hendin (acquired mid-1980's from Italo Vecchi).
The relative abundance of copper in Italy made bronze a natural means of exchange among the people of central Italy. The initial medium was rough lumps of unmarked bronze which, lacking any governmental imprimatur or denomination, were weighed for each transaction.
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AE Aes Signatum or Aes FormatumCentral Italy (Rome?).
Anonymous, 4th-3rd Century BCE.
AE Aes Signatum or Aes Formatum - Fragment (209g; circa 70mm).
A peice of an Aes Signatum or Aes Formatum ingot. Both sides show indecipherable remnants of design.
Provenance: Ex Dr. Neussel Collection [Peus Auction 420/421 (1 Nov 2017), Lot 18]; purchased on eBay from D.F. Grotjohann (17 Oct 2009).
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Crawford 13/1, ROMAN REPUBLIC - AR DidrachmRome, The Republic.
Anonymous, 310-300 (c. 295?) BCE.
AR Didrachm (7.13g; 21mm).
Mint in Central Italy (Neapolis?).
Obverse: Head of Mars, bearded, in crested Corinthian helmet, facing left; oak spray behind.
Reverse: Bridled horse head facing right; [ROMANO] on base below; wheat stalk behind.
References: Crawford 13/1; HNI 266; Sydenham 1; BMCRR (Romano-Campanian) 1-4.
Provenance: Ex vAuctions Sale 343 (6 Dec 2019) Lot 155; Pegasi Auction VI (8 April 2002), Lot 316.
This coin is part of the very first series of Didrachms produced in the name of Rome. It was a small issue, with only four obverse dies and fifteen reverse dies currently known. In 1974’s Roman Republican Coinage, Crawford assigned the issue to 280-276, however, subsequent evidence and scholarship caused him to reassign the coins to 310-300 BCE. Later scholars, including Rutter in Historia Numorum Italy (2001) have concurred with this revised dating. In a recent tweet, Professor Liv Yarrow announced that her forthcoming book will propose a more recent date of c. 295 BCE; we’ll have to wait for her book to see the evidence to support this re-dating.
While these didrachms bore the inscription ROMANO, they were not struck in Rome and didn’t really circulate in Rome! They were likely produced in Naples or some other nearby mint for a particular purpose. In Coinage & Money Under the Roman Republic (1985), Crawford proposed that the purpose for the issue was the construction of the Appian Way from Rome to Capua, begun in 312 BCE. If Professor Yarrow's proposed later dating is correct, the purpose would need to be reconsidered. The average weight and purity of these coins is consistent with contemporaneous Neapolitan standards, and the fabric of the coins is also consistent with Neapolitan silver issues.
The ROMANO inscription may have been either an abbreviation of the genitive plural ROMANORVM (“of the Romans”) or dative ROMANO (“by the Romans”) either of which would be similar grammar to Greek coin inscriptions.
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Crawford 14/5, ROMAN REPUBLIC - AE Aes Grave SextansRome, The Republic.
Anonymous, circa 280 BCE.
AE Aes Grave Sextans (50.76g; 36mm).
Obverse: Shell seen from outside; two pellets (mark-of-value=2 unciae) below.
Reverse: Caduceus; two pellets (mark-of-value) in field.
References: Crawford 14/5; Vecchi ICC 30.
Provenance: Ex SteveX6 Collection; Collection of a Director [CNG eSale 392 (1 Mar 2017), Lot 434]; Auctiones 5 (2-3 Dec 1975), Lot 285.
Aes Grave were a significant departure from the previous Roman bronze money in that they were denominated with marks of value, and thus did not require weighing. At least three separate series of Roman Aes Grave use shells as types on sextantes (see Crawford 21/5 in this gallery). This is likely a traditional nod to the shell shaped Aes Formatum that were used for monetary exchange prior to the adoption of Aes Grave by Rome. The old Aes Formatum astragaloi (knuckle bones) are similarly re-used on Aes Grave Unciae which depict both sides of a knuckle bone (See Crawford 14/6, 21/6 and 25/9).
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Crawford 16/1a, ROMAN REPUBLIC, Anonymous, AE LitraRome, The Republic.
Anonymous. 275-270 BCE.
AE Litra (9.89g; 22mm).
Southern Italian Mint.
Obverse: Nymph’s head, facing right, wearing diadem.
Reverse: Lion walking right, head facing; ROMANO in exergue.
References: Crawford 16/1a; Syd 5; BMCRR (Romano-Campanian) 23-27; RBW 10; HN1 276.
Provenance: NAC 114 (7 May 2019) Lot 1241; Hoskier Collection [Hess (15 Feb 1934) Lot 543].
This is one of the larger issues of early Roman struck bronzes. Hoard evidence suggests a mint south of Rome. Fabric and style also support a South Italian mint, as the flan, which appears to have been cast with hemispheric molds that leave characteristic edge sprues, is typical of Neapolitan coins of similar age. The lion on the reverse is sometimes shown with a spear in its mouth and sometimes not. There is no spear evident on this coin. There does not seem to be any direct connection between this issue and contemporaneous silver issues. Connections to contemporaneous silver would be evidenced on later struck bronze coins by common devices and symbols (i.e. club and sickle series). Carausius
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Crawford 17/1a, ROMAN REPUBLIC, Anonymous, AE Double Litra - Rome, The Republic.
Anonymous. Before 269 BCE.
AE Double Litra (5.7g; 18mm).
Rome Mint.
Obverse: Goddess in crested Corinthian helmet, facing left.
Reverse: Bridled horse head on base, facing right; ROMANO behind.
References: Crawford 17/1a; Sydenham 3; BMCRR (Rom-Camp) 6-7.
Provenance: Ex Dan Clark Collection (active 1980s-1990s).
This is one of the larger issues of early Roman struck bronzes. There does not seem to be any direct connection between this issue and contemporaneous silver issues. Connections to contemporaneous silver would be evidenced on later struck bronze coins by common devices and symbols (i.e. club and sickle series). Carausius
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Crawford 18/4, ROMAN REPUBLIC, AE Aes Grave QuadransRome, The Republic.
Anonymous Apollo/Apollo Series, c. 270 BCE.
AE Aes Grave Quadrans (79.29g; 43mm).
Rome Mint.
Obverse: Boar running to right; ••• (mark of value) in exergue.
Reverse: Boar running to left; ••• (mark of value) between spokes.
References: Crawford 18/4; ICC 36; Haeberlin pg 87, pl. 36.
Provenance: Ex Forum Ancient Coins; Errett Bishop (†14 Apr 1983) Collection.
All of the Crawford 18 series Aes Grave repeat the same device on the obverse and reverse. Haeberlin reports an average weight of 84 grams for 128 specimens of the quadrans.
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Crawford 20/1, ROMAN REPUBLIC - AR DidrachmRome, The Republic.
Anonymous, 269-266 BCE.
AR Didrachm (7.28g; 21mm).
Uncertain mint.
Obv: Diademed head of youthful Hercules facing right, with lion skin and club over shoulder.
Rev: She-Wolf suckling the twins, Romulus & Remus; ROMANO in exergue.
References: Crawford 20/1; Sydenham 6; BMCRR (Romano-Campanian) 28-33.
Provenance: Ex Dr. Walter F. Stoeklin Collection [Nomos AG eSale 9 (25 Mar 2018) Lot 2]; Adolph Hess Auction (19 Dec 1933), Lot 3.
The earliest Roman Didrachm coinage commenced in the late fourth century BCE. While earliest didrachms bore the inscription ROMANO, they were not struck in Rome and didn’t really circulate in Rome! The earliest didrachms were likely produced in Naples or some other nearby mint. Kenneth Harl, in "Coinage in the Roman Economy" theorizes that Roman didrachms were likely valued at 10 asses and were possibly called “denarii” in their day.
This coin is from the large, third issue of didrachms produced around the time of the Pyrrhic War, circa 269 BCE. In "Natural History", Pliny wrote that the Romans first struck silver coins “in the 485th year of the city, when Q. Ogulnius and C. Fabius were consuls, five years before the First Punic War [=269 BC].” (NH 33.42-44) Some surmise that Pliny’s now infamous text refers to the above coin type. Pliny’s text confounded for generations the determination by Roman numismatists of the introduction date for the denarius, with many scholars interpreting his statement as evidence for an early introduction; that “literal” theory having been disproven by Thomsen’s analysis in “Early Roman Coinage” and the indisputable evidence of the destruction level finds at Morgantina.
In "Roman Republican Coinage", Michael Crawford assigned this type to the Rome mint, but Crawford turned non-committal regarding the mint in his later book, Coinage and Money Under the Roman Republic. Previous scholars (Babelon, Grueber, Sydenham) had attributed this series to Campania. The reverse bears the first depiction of the she-wolf and suckling twins on a Roman coin, representing the mythical founding of Rome. The emblematic nature of this scene likely influenced the mint assignment by some researchers. Indeed, subsequent coins bearing this scene have similarly been assigned to Rome by some authors, perhaps without justification, based on the “Roman” character of the scene – notably the Eagle/Wolf and Twins AE Sextans (Crawford 39/3) of the semi-libral reduction in 217-215 BCE, which I believe is likely a Campanian product. There would be countless more such depictions of the wolf and twins on Roman coins during the ensuing centuries [Crawford 183; Crawford 235/1; Antoninus Pius; Maxentius; Constantine “commemoratives”, etc.]. According to Pliny, Q. Ogulnius was a consul when this coin was likely first produced, and the reverse may allude to the wolf and twins statue erected in Rome by Ogulnius’ grandfather and great uncle, the brothers Quintus and Gnaeus Ogulnius, in 296 BCE.
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Crawford 21/4, ROMAN REPUBLIC, Aes Grave Quadrans Rome, The Republic.
Anonymous, c. 265 BCE.
AE Aes Grave Quadrans (68.58g; 43mm).
Rome Mint.
Obv: Right hand; ●●● (mark-of-value = 3 unciae) on left.
Rev: Left hand; ●●● (mark-of-value) on right.
References: Vecchi, ICC 44; Haeberlin pp. 66-67, plts 27-28; Crawford 21/4.
Provenance: Ex Baldwin's Auction 99 (4 May 2016), Lot 599; purchased from A.H. Baldwin & Sons, Ltd., Dec 1959.Carausius
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Crawford 21/5, ROMAN REPUBLIC - AE Aes Grave SextansRome, The Republic.
Anonymous, circa 265 BCE.
AE Aes Grave Sextans (43.28g; 35mm).
Obverse: Scallop shell seen from outside; two pellets (mark-of-value=two unciae) below.
Reverse: Scallop shell seen from inside.
References: Crawford 21/5; Vecchi, ICC 45.
Provenanc: Numismatica Ars Classica 40 (2007), Lot 365.
Aes Grave were a significant departure from the previous Roman bronze money in that they were denominated with marks of value, and thus did not require weighing. At least three separate series of Roman Aes Grave use shells as types on sextantes (see Crawford 14/5 sextans in this gallery). This is likely a traditional nod to the shell shaped Aes Formatum that were used for monetary exchange prior to the adoption of Aes Grave by Rome. The old Aes Formatum astragaloi (knuckle bones) are similarly re-used on Aes Grave Unciae which depict both sides of a knuckle bone (See Crawford 14/6, 21/6 and 25/9).
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Crawford 23/1, ROMAN REPUBLIC, AE 28 - RARERome, The Republic.
Anonymous (circa 240 BCE).
AE 28 (17.05g; 28mm).
Sicilian Mint.
Obv: ROMANO; Head of Roma facing left in crested Corinthian helmet decorated with griffin; cornucopia symbol behind nape of neck.
Rev: ROMA-NO; Eagle standing left on thunderbold, head turned right, sword before.
References: Crawford 23/1; Sydenham 30 (R8); Burnett & McCabe O5/R5:2 (this coin illustrated); Manganaro (1981-82) pl. 16 (this coin illustrated).
Provenance: Ex Tony Hardy Collection [CNG 63 (21 May 2003) Lot 1112].
Burnett and McCabe recently published a paper regarding this issue in which they conclude that it was likely small (only 6 obv and 8 rev dies identified) and minted in Sicily circa 240 BCE. This would have been about the time that the inscription on Roman coins was changing from ROMANO to ROMA. The reverse was based on a Ptolemaic bronze octobol and the obverse likely depicts an early rendering of the goddess Roma (in Corinthian, rather than Attic, helmet). Three obverse symbols have been identified (helmet, plough and cornucopia) and a fourth is uncertain.
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Crawford 24/4, ROMAN REPUBLIC, Roma/Wheel Series, Aes Grave SemisRome, The Republic.
Roma/Wheel Series, c. 230 BCE.
AE Aes Grave Semis (103g; 49mm).
Rome Mint.
Obverse: Bull leaping to left; S (mark of value) below.
Reverse: Wheel with six spokes; S (mark of value) between two spokes.
References: Crawford 24/4; ICC 67; Sydenham 60.
Provenance: Ex H.D. Rauch Auction 95 (30 Sep 2014), Lot 272; Tkalec 2006, Lot 93.
The Roma/Wheel Series of aes grave is an interesting series for its types. This Semis depicts a leaping bull, a device that would be used on later Republican struck bronzes with a snake below the bull (see Crawford 39/2 and 42/2). The wheel on the reverse of this series is previously unseen on Roman coinage. There were several series of Etrurian aes grave bearing spoked wheels produced in the 3rd century BCE (see HN Italy 56-67; ICC 145-190). It is unclear whether these Etrurian aes grave were inspired by or inspiration for the Roman wheel series.
This example is on the light side of reported weights in Haeberlin; however, as museums and collectors tend to favor heavier examples of Aes Grave, Haeberlin’s reported weight range (based on museum and major private collections) is likely “overweight” in heavier specimens. Carausius
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Crawford 24/6, ROMAN REPUBLIC, AE Aes Grave QuadransRome, The Republic.
Roma/Wheel Series, c. 230 BCE.
AE Aes Grave Quadrans (65.83g; 40mm).
Rome Mint.
Obverse: Hound prancing to left; ••• (mark of value) in exergue.
Reverse: Wheel with six spokes; ••• (mark of value) between spokes.
References: Crawford 24/6a; ICC 69; Haeberlin pg 61, pl. 25, n 12-14.
Provenance: Ex Dr. Erwin Hartmann (†1979) Collection [Dorotheum Auction (27 May 2021) lot 758]; Karl Hollschek (†1941) Collection [Dorotheum 1108 (Oct 1960) Lot 1017].
The Roma/Wheel Series of aes grave is an interesting series for its types. This Quadrans depicts a prancing hound, a device also used on roughly contemporaneous Republican struck half-litrae (see Crawford 26/4 – two examples in my gallery). The wheel on the reverse of this series is previously unseen on Roman coinage. There were several series of Etrurian aes grave bearing spoked wheels produced in the 3rd century BCE (see HN Italy 56-67; ICC 145-190). It is unclear whether these Etrurian aes grave were inspired by or inspiration for the Roman wheel series.
Haeberlin reported 88 specimens of the quadrans, with an average weight of 65.73 grams.
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Crawford 24/7, ROMAN REPUBLIC, Roma/Wheel Series, Aes Grave Sextans Rome, The Republic
Roma/Wheel Series, circa 230 BCE.
Rome Mint.
AE Aes Grave Sextans (39.25 g).
Obv: Tortoise with segmented shell.
Rev: Wheel with six spokes.
Reference: Crawford 24/7; Vecchi ICC 71.
Provenance: Ex E.E. Clain-Stefanelli (d. 2001) Collection [NAC 92 (23 May 2016), Lot 248.
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Crawford 25/1, ROMAN REPUBLIC - AR DidrachmRome. The Republic.
Anonymous, 241-235 BCE.
AR Didrachm (6.62g; 19mm).
Rome Mint.
Obverse: Beardless head of Mars wearing crested Corinthian helmet decorated with gryphon, facing right.
Reverse: Bridled horse head facing right; sickle to left; ROMA below.
References: Crawford 25/1; Sydenham 24; BMCRR (Romano-Campanian) 57.
Provenance: Ex Ed Waddell inventory #7484 (c. 1985).
This didrachm series is the first Roman silver coinage to bear the inscription ROMA, a change from the earlier ROMANO inscriptions. The early ROMANO inscriptions may have been either an abbreviation of the genitive plural ROMANORVM (“of the Romans”) or dative ROMANO (“by the Romans”) either of which would be similar grammar to Greek coin inscriptions. The move to the nominative case ROMA, may have been a simple shift to Roman/Latin usage consistent with the coinage taking on a more “Roman” character, as minting activity had moved from southern Italy to Rome many years before. The sickle symbol on the reverse, as well as common devices across denominations, links this didrachm issue to contemporaneous Roman bronze coinage also bearing the sickle. This marks the first time in the emerging Roman coinage that a clear-intentioned, bi-metallic series emission can be established.
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Crawford 25/3, ROMAN REPUBLIC, Anonymous, AE LitraRome, The Republic.
Anonymous. 241-235 BCE.
AE Litra (2.67g; 15mm).
Rome Mint.
Obverse: Beardless head of Mars wearing crested Corinthian helmet, facing right.
Reverse: Bridled horse head facing right; sickle behind; ROMA below.
References: Crawford 25/3; Sydenham 26; BMCRR (Romano-Campanian) 64-67.
Provenance: Ex Volteia Collection.
This series is the first Roman coinage to bear the inscription ROMA, a change from the earlier ROMANO inscriptions. The early ROMANO inscriptions may have been either an abbreviation of the genitive plural ROMANORVM (“of the Romans”) or dative ROMANO (“by the Romans”) either of which would be similar grammar to Greek coin inscriptions. The move to the nominative case ROMA, may have been a simple shift to Roman/Latin usage consistent with the coinage taking on a more “Roman” character, as minting activity had moved from southern Italy to Rome many years before. The sickle symbol on the reverse, as well as common devices across denominations, links this issue to contemporaneous Roman silver didrachms also bearing the sickle. This marks the first time in the emerging Roman coinage that a clear-intentioned, bi-metallic series emission can be established.
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Crawford 26/1, ROMAN REPUBLIC - AR DidrachmRome, The Republic.
Anonymous, 234-231 BCE.
AR Didrachm (6.74g; 20mm).
Obv: Laureate head of Apollo facing right.
Rev: Horse rearing left; ROMA above.
Reference: Crawford 26/1; Sydenham 27.
Provenance: Ex Kuenker (25 Sep 2017) Lot 508; ex Bernhard Terletzkli Collection; ex Dr. Hagen Tronnier Collection; ex Kunker Auction 94 (2004), Lot 1650; ex Auctiones 10 (1979), Lot 303.
By about 240 BCE, the inscription on struck Roman Republican coins had changed from ROMANO to ROMA. This coin is part of the second series to include the ROMA legend.
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Crawford 26/3, ROMAN REPUBLIC, AE LitraRome, The Republic
Anonymous, c. 235 BCE.
AE Litra (2.36g; 14mm).
Rome Mint.
Obv: Laureate head of Apollo facing right.
Rev: Horse rearing left; ROMA below.
References: Crawford 26/3; Sydenham 29; BMCRR (Romano-Campanian) 70-74.
Provenance: Ex CNG Classical Numismatic Review XLII.3 (2017), Lot 460942; ex RBW Collection (not in prior sales); Aes Rude (19 Sep 1987), Lot 86.
By about 240 BCE, the inscription on struck Roman Republican coins had changed from ROMANO to ROMA. This coin is part of the second series to include the ROMA legend. Carausius
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Crawford 26/4, ROMAN REPUBLIC, Anonymous, AE Half LitraRome, The Republic.
Anonymous. 234-231 BCE.
AE Half Litra (1.58g; 12mm).
Rome Mint.
Obverse: Head of Roma in Phrygian helmet, facing right.
Reverse: Dog prancing toward right; ROMA in exergue.
References: Crawford 26/4; BMCRR (Romano-Campanian) 44-48.
Provenance: Ex NAC 84 (20 May 2015), Lot 765; purchased privately from Or Gestion Numismatique (Paris) in 2009.
The pose of the dog is unusual, as it appears to be prancing in some way, and the dog is rendered somewhat differently between dies. On many dies, its snout is clearly upturned, perhaps honing a scent. On some dies, the dog is rendered skinnier than others, with ribs visible. All things considered, I believe the coins show a Laconian or Vertragus hound, two popular breeds of Roman hunting hounds.
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Crawford 26/4, ROMAN REPUBLIC, Anonymous, AE Half LitraRome, The Republic.
Anonymous. 234-231 BCE.
AE Half Litra (1.93g; 13mm; 12h).
Rome Mint.
Obverse: Head of Roma in Phrygian helmet, facing right.
Reverse: Dog prancing toward right; ROMA in exergue.
References: Crawford 26/4; BMCRR (Romano-Campanian) 44-48.
Provenance: Ex CB Collection; privately bought from Baldwins 7 Jan 2011; Rauch Auction 87 (8 Dec 2010) lot 189.
Another example of this charming type, and a bit heavier and larger than the previous example. The pose of the dog is unusual, as it appears to be prancing in some way, and the dog is rendered somewhat differently between dies. On many dies, its snout is clearly upturned, perhaps honing a scent. On some dies, the dog is rendered skinnier than others, with ribs visible. All things considered, I believe the coins show a Laconian or Vertragus hound, two popular breeds of Roman hunting hounds.
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Crawford 27/2, ROMAN REPUBLIC, Anonymous, AE LitraRome, The Republic.
Anonymous, 230-226 BCE.
AE Litra (3.58g; 18mm).
Rome Mint.
Obverse: Beardless head of Mars, facing right, wearing crested Corinthian helmet; club behind.
Reverse: Horse rearing to right; club above; ROMA below.
References: Crawford 27/2; Sydenham 23a; BMCRR (Rom-Camp) 53.
Provenance: Ex Nomisma E-Live Auction 10 (18 Jun 2019) Lot 7; Numismatica Gino Marchesi.
This is one of the last series of struck bronzes issued by the Roman Republic before the introduction of standard "prow" types on the aes grave circa 225 BCE. Unlike many prior struck bronze issues, this coin is related to a contemporaneous issue of silver didrachms which bears the same devices and club symbol.
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Crawford 27/3, ROMAN REPUBLIC, Anonymous Club Series, AE Double LitraRome, The Republic.
Anonymous Club Series, circa 230 BCE.
AE Double Litra (7.35g; 20mm).
Rome Mint.
Obverse: Youthful head of Hercules in lion skin headdress, facing right; club below.
Reverse: Pegasus flying to right; club behind; ROMA below.
References: Crawford 27/3; Sydenham 7; BMCRR (Romano-Campanian) 51-2; Historia Numorum Italy 316.
Provenance: Ex CNG eSale 453 (2 Oct 2019) Lot 452; David Freedman Collection [CNG 61 (25 Sep 2002) Lot 4].
This is among the earlies struck Roman bronze coinage to be issued in concert with Roman silver coinage. Both the 27/1 Didrachm and this AE Double Litra (and its related Litra) share a common club symbol on obverse and reverse. The dating for this type has been in flux, with Crawford choosing a later date of 230-226 BCE while Burnett recently assigned a date just before 230 BCE.
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Crawford 27/3, ROMAN REPUBLIC, Anonymous, AE Double LitraRome, The Republic.
Anonymous Club Series, circa 230 BCE.
AE Double Litra (5.3g; 19mm; 6h).
Rome Mint.
Obverse: Youthful head of Hercules in lion skin headdress, facing right; club below.
Reverse: Pegasus flying to right; club behind; ROMA below.
References: Crawford 27/3; Sydenham 7; BMCRR (Romano-Campanian) 51-2; Historia Numorum Italy 316.
Provenance: Ex Judy Day Fink Coll. [CNG (7 Jan 2021) lot 366]; bought from Ed Waddell.
Another example of this type, with better surfaces than the prior and a charming green patina. This is among the earlies struck Roman bronze coinage to be issued in concert with Roman silver coinage. Both the 27/1 Didrachm and this AE Double Litra (and its related Litra) share a common club symbol on obverse and reverse. The dating for this type has been in flux, with Crawford choosing a later date of 230-226 BCE while Burnett recently assigned a date just before 230 BCE.
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Crawford 28/3, ROMAN REPUBLIC, Didrachm - QuadrigatusRome, The Republic.
Anonymous, 225-214 BCE.
AR Didrachm/Quadrigatus (7.25 g; 21mm).
Apulian Mint.
Obv: Janiform head with straight neck truncaction.
Rev: Jupiter and Victory on fast quadriga, right; ROMA in relief within linear frame below.
Reference: Crawford 28/3; Sydenham 65; BMCRR 101; Gentilehomme II.B.1.
Provenance: Ex NAC 92 (24 May 2016), Lot 1517.
The last few series of Roman silver didrachm coinage, produced from 225-214 BCE, are nicknamed "quadrigati" because of the common reverse type of Jupiter and Victory in a fast quadriga. Crawford's arrangement of quadrigati into distinct series requires a great amount of study to understand. Collectors and dealers alike often misattribute quadrigati among Crawford's series.
The Crawford 28 series of quadrigati, to which this example belongs, really should be split into two separate series. The first (early) series of 28s are almost certainly the earliest of the quadrigatus coinage - struck in good silver and of fine style in high relief with ROMA incuse in a rectangular tablet. The second (later) series of 28s, shown here, is of lower quality style and fabric; the neck truncation is wide and straight; ROMA is in relief in a linear frame. Like other Apulian coins, they typically show tabs or other signs of cast flan production, visible here at 2h reverse.Carausius
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Crawford 28/3, ROMAN REPUBLIC, Didrachm-QuadrigatusAnonymous, 225-214 BCE.
AR Didrachm/Quadrigatus (6.79 g; 20mm; 12h).
Apulian Mint.
Obv: Janiform head with straight neck truncaction.
Rev: Jupiter and Victory on fast quadriga, right; ROMA in relief within semi-trapezoidal linear frame below.
Reference: Crawford 28/3; Sydenham 65; BMCRR 101; Gentilehomme II.B.1.
Provenance: Ex Andrew McCabe Collection [Roma E-Sale (6 Jan 2022) lot 856]; Pierre Egbers Collection (active 1930s to 1960s) [Joel Creusy (6 Nov 2014), lot 78]; French export permit no. 159230.
The last few series of Roman silver didrachm coinage, produced from 225-214 BCE, are nicknamed "quadrigati" because of the common reverse type of Jupiter and Victory in a fast quadriga. Crawford's arrangement of quadrigati into distinct series requires a great amount of study to understand. Collectors and dealers alike often misattribute quadrigati among Crawford's series.
The Crawford 28 series of quadrigati, to which this example belongs, really should be split into two separate series. The first (early) series of 28s are almost certainly the earliest of the quadrigatus coinage - struck in good silver and of fine style in high relief with ROMA incuse in a rectangular tablet. The second (later) series of 28s, shown here, is of lower quality style and fabric; the neck truncation is wide and straight; ROMA is in relief in a linear frame. Like other Apulian coins, they often show tabs or other signs of cast flan production, visible on the edge of this coin but not in the photos.
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Crawford 29/3, ROMAN REPUBLIC - AR Didrachm - QuadrigatusRome, The Republic.
Anonymous, 225-214 BCE
AR Didrachm/Quadrigatus (6.91g; 22mm).
Obv: Janiform head.
Rev: Jupiter and Victory in quadriga galloping right; beneath, ROMA in relief on raised tablet.
Reference: Crawford 29/3; Sydenham 64d
Provenance: ex Numismatik Lanz 163 (7 Dec 2016), Lot 154; Gorny & Mosch 69 (1994), Lot 493.
The last few series of Roman silver didrachm coinage, produced from 225-214 BCE, are nicknamed "quadrigati" because of the common reverse type of Jupiter and Victory in a fast quadriga. Crawford's arrangement of quadrigati into distinct series requires a great amount of study to understand. Collectors and dealers alike often misattribute quadrigati among Crawford's series.
This example is from the Crawford 29 series, recognizable by the "V" neck truncation on the Janiform head, and the ROMA inscription in relief on a trapezoidal tablet. Crawford also recognized an incuse variety of this series, again with a fully-trapezoidal tablet. Crawford 29 series flans are generally well made.
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Crawford 30/1, ROMAN REPUBLIC - AR Didrachm - QuadrigatusRome, The Republic.
Anonymous, 225-214 BCE.
AR Didrachm/Quadrigatus (6.29 g; 21mm).
Rome Mint.
Obverse: Janiform head with irregular neck truncaction.
Reverse: Jupiter and Victory in fast quadriga, galloping right; ROMA incuse on trapezoidal tablet below.
Reference: Crawford 30/1; Sydenham 64b; BMCRR 95; Gentilehomme I.E.3-4.
Provenance: From an American collection; privately purchased from Tom McKenna in 1980's.
The last few series of Roman silver didrachm coinage, produced from 225-214 BCE, are nicknamed "quadrigati" because of the common reverse type of Jupiter and Victory in a fast quadriga. Crawford's arrangement of quadrigati into distinct series requires a great amount of study to understand. Collectors and dealers alike often misattribute quadrigati among Crawford's series.
The Crawford 30 series of quadrigati, to which this example belongs, have a distinct obverse style, notably a thick, single sideburn between the janiform heads with various neck truncation styles ranging from straight – wavy – convex. On the reverse, Victory stands further back, on the backboard of the chariot with more of her garment visible. ROMA legend is always incuse on this series, though tablets range from square to trapezoidal.
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Crawford 31/1, ROMAN REPUBLIC - AR Didrachm-QuadrigatusRome, The Republic.
Anonymous, 225-214 BCE.
AR Didrachm/Quadrigatus (6.81g; 20mm).
Rome Mint (?)
Obv: Janiform head with V neck truncation; pellet beneath neck.
Rev: Jupiter and Victory in quadriga galloping right; beneath, ROMA semi-incuse on raised tablet.
Reference: Crawford 31/1; Sydenham 64c; BMC 100; Gentilhomme Class B, 5th Variety, No. 103 (Plate 3, No 1 and Plate 2, No 9).
Provenance: Ex Freeman and Sear, 2003.
The last few series of Roman silver didrachm coinage, produced from 225-214 BCE, are nicknamed "quadrigati" because of the common reverse type of Jupiter and Victory in a fast quadriga. Crawford's arrangement of quadrigati into distinct series requires a great amount of study to understand. Collectors and dealers alike often misattribute quadrigati among Crawford's series.
Crawford 31 series didrachms are generally of weak style, low relief and debased metal. The series is recognizable by the Janiform head with a “V” neck truncation, sideburns forking into four, distinct tendrils, and either with or without a pellet control mark below the neck. Although not catalogued separately by Crawford, I find that there are two distinct varieties of Crawford 31 didrachms: the first with a pellet below the Janiform neck and an incuse or semi-incuse ROMA inscription; the second with no pellet below the neck and ROMA in relief within a linear frame. The above coin is the first variety, showing the pellet and semi-incuse inscription. I believe the two should be recognized as separate and distinct varieties within the same series. The meaning of the obverse pellet is unclear, but it may be a control mark indicating the workshop or source of the silver for the issue. Crawford attributes the series to the Rome Mint; however, given the debased metal, fabric and mediocre style common to the series, it’s also possible that the series was struck by a military mint or Italian satellite mint early in the Second Punic War.
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Crawford 34/1, ROMAN REPUBLIC, Anonymous, AR Didrachm-QuadrigatusRome. The Republic.
Anonymous Series, 225-212 BCE.
AR Didrachm-Quadrigatus (6.63g; 22mm).
Uncertain Mint.
Obverse: Laureate Janiform head of the Dioscuri.
Reverse: Jupiter and Victory in fast quadriga galloping right; ROMA incuse on raised tablet in exergue.
References: Crawford 34/1; RBW 82; Gentilhomme pl. 1, no. 13.
Provenance: Ex Italo Vecchi Coll. [Roma XX (29 Oct 2020) Lot 390].
The last few series of Roman silver didrachm coinage, produced from 225-212 BCE, are nicknamed "quadrigati" because of the common reverse type of Jupiter and Victory in a fast quadriga. Crawford's arrangement of quadrigati into distinct series requires a great amount of study to understand. Collectors and dealers alike often misattribute quadrigati among Crawford's series.
The Crawford 34 series of quadrigati, to which this example belongs, is a scarce series. The coins are generally of good style and metal. Stylistically, the series 34 quadrigati typically display a broad, single sideburn, wide faces and the hair at the very top center of the Janiform heads show a distinct horizontal pattern. Neck truncations are typically straight. On the reverse, Jupiter's thunderbolt extends beyond the line border, the front legs of the horses have a strong “connect-the-dots” character, and ROMA is always incuse on a semi-trapezoidal tablet. These coins are often misattributed as Crawford 30 which share the broad, single sideburn; however, the Crawford 34 Janiform heads are much broader with distinct hair patterns at top center.
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Crawford 35/1, ROMAN REPUBLIC, Janus/Prow Series, Aes Grave AsRome, The Republic.
Janus/Prow Series, circa 225-217 BCE.
AE Aes Grave As (256.29g; 64mm).
Obv: Head of Janus; - (value mark) below neck.
Rev: Prow right; I (value mark) above.
Reference: Crawford 35/1; Vecchi, ICC 74; Sydenham 71.
Provenance: Ex Kuenker Auction 280 (26 Sep 2016), Lot 315; ex Hannelore Scheiner Collection; acquired 1966 from Martin Nading of Fort Wayne, IN.
Aes Grave were a significant departure from the previous Roman bronze money in that Aes Grave were denominated with marks of value, and thus did not require weighing. The prow series of Libral Aes Grave was a very large issue. E.J. Haeberlin included nearly 1,200 examples of the As in the weight analysis within his monumental "Aes Grave". The Prow series Aes Grave was initially based on an As of about 270 grams. The iconography likely refers to the role of Rome's new and powerful navy in the victory over Carthage in the First Punic War and to the closing of the doors of the Temple of Janus in recognition of the peace. This same iconography subsequently became emblamatic of the As for several centuries of Roman struck bronze coinage.
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Crawford 35/2, ROMAN REPUBLIC, Janus/Prow Series, Aes Grave SemisRome, The Republic.
Janus/Prow Series, circa 225-217 BCE.
AE Aes Grave Semis (135.3g; 52mm).
Rome Mint.
Obverse: Laureate head of Saturn, facing left; S (mark of value) below neck; all on raised disk.
Reverse: Prow facing right; S (mark of value) above; all on raised disk.
References: Crawford 35/2; ICC 76; Sydenham 73; BMCRR 23-29.
Provenance: Ex Munzen und Medaillen GmbH, Auction 40 (4 Jun 2014), Lot 455; Auctiones AG Auction 13 (1983), Lot 505.
The prow series of libral Aes Grave was a very large issue. E.J. Haeberlin included over 300 examples of the Semis in the weight analysis within his monumental "Aes Grave". The Prow series Aes Grave was initially based on an As of about 270 grams. The iconography likely refers to the role of Rome's new and powerful navy in the victory over Carthage in the First Punic War. Both obverse and reverse iconography from the various denominations of this series would continue through the Republican struck bronze coinage.
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