Second Century (199-100 BCE)
|
|
|
Crawford 244/3, ROMAN REPUBLIC, C. Aburi Gem, AE QuadransRome, The Republic.
C. Aburi Gem, 134 BCE.
AE Quadrans (5.95g; 21mm; 12h).
Rome Mint.
Obverse: Head of youthful Hercules wearing lion-skin headdress; ••• (mark-of-value) behind.
Reverse: Prow facing right; C•ABVRI|GEM above; ••• (mark-of-value) before; ROMA below.
References: Crawford 244/3; Sydenham 491a; BMCRR 1002; Aburia 3.
Provenance: Ex Professor Dr. Prix Collection [Otto Helbing Auction 63 (29 Apr 1931), Lot 60].
In Essays Hersh, Mattingly dates this issue to 133 BCE. This example is special for its 1931 provenance. It is quite rare to find fairly common Republican bronzes illustrated in pre-War auction catalogues.
Carausius
|
|
Crawford 145/1, ROMAN REPUBLIC, Victory & Spearhead Series, AE AsRome. The Republic.
Victory and Spearhead
Series, 189-180 BCE.
AE As (31.14g; 33mm; 5h).
Rome Mint.
Obverse: Laureate head of Janus; I (mark-of-value) above.
Reverse: Prow facing right; Victory crowning spearhead above; I (mark-of-value) to right; ROMA below.
References: Crawford 145/1; Sydenham 293; BMCRR 497
Provenance: Ex Barone Dr. Pompeo Bonazzi di Sannicandro (1876-1956) Collection [R. Ratto (23 January 1924), Lot 264].
Grueber surmises that the symbols on this type may allude to a military victory by an ancestor of the anonymous moneyer. He mentions the use of Victory as a symbol on later denarii by C. Terrentius Lucanus (Crawford 217/1 – see my example in this gallery), suggesting this coin may have been produced by a member of the Terrentia gens; but this is pure conjecture.
This coin is a strong example of a type that generally comes either poorly struck or poorly preserved. The coin was part of the important Bonazzi Collection, which was sold anonymously in two parts by Rodolfo Ratto in the mid-1920s. Bonazzi began collecting about 1910 and quickly assembled a broad collection of Roman Republican coins in a very short time. Unlike many of his contemporaries, he favored bronze coins that were un-tooled, and this coin boasts excellent, natural surfaces.
Carausius
|
|
Crawford 266/2, ROMAN REPUBLIC, C. Cassius Longinus, AE DodransRome, The Republic.
C. Cassius Longinus, 131 BCE.
AE Dodrans (17.08g; 29mm).
Rome Mint.
Obverse: Head of Vulcan facing right, with laureate cap; tongs and S:· (value mark) behind.
Reverse: Prow facing right; C·CASSI above; S:· (value mark) to right; ROMA below.
References: Crawford 266/2; Sydenham 503(R5); BMCRR 1035; Cassia 2.
Crawford dated C. Cassius Longinus’ moneyership in 126 BCE; however, in Essays Hersh, Mattingly proposed an earlier date of 131 BCE. Cassius was consul in 124 BCE, so 126 seems a bit late to have begun his climb up the cursus honorum. Crawford proposed that the moneyer might have been the son of the consul of 124, but the absence of any “C. f.” (son of Caius) abbreviation in the reverse inscription suggests otherwise.
The Dodrans was a scarce bronze denomination, produced only twice during the Roman Republic. The first production was this series in 131 BCE; the second production was by M. Metellus in 125 BCE (Crawford series 263, redated by Mattingly). The word “Dodrans” is a contraction of the Latin “de quadrans”, meaning one quarter less than an As. It is identified by the value mark S:· (a Semis and 3 unciae) for a total of 9 unciae, or three-quarters of an As of 12 unciae. In addition to the Dodrans, C. Cassius also struck a bronze Bes of eight unciae. By 131 BCE, the As had been out of production for nearly 15 years, and it’s possible that the Dodrans and Bes were experimental denominations to satisfy demand for larger bronze coins. Alternatively, they may have satisfied the need for special payments to fund corn or wine distributions.
Carausius
|
|
Crawford 217/1, ROMAN REPUBLIC, C. Terentius Lucanus, AR DenariusRome, The Republic.
C. Terentius Lucanus, 147-late 140s BCE.
AR Denarius (3.58g; 19mm).
Rome Mint.
Obverse: Helmeted head of Roma, facing right; X value mark and Victory crowning Roma, behind.
Reverse: Dioscuri with couched spears galloping to right; C.TER.LVC beneath; ROMA in linear frame in exergue.
References: Crawford 217/1; Sydenham 425; BMCRR 775-81; Terentia 10; Smyth XV-21 (this coin described).
Provenance: Numismatica Ars Classica Auction 120 (6 Oct 2020), Lot 504; Duke of Northumberland Collection [Sotheby's (4 Mar 1982), Lot 241(part)], acquired before 1856.
The moneyer may be the son of the Terentius Lucanus who, according to Suetonius, purchased and subsequently freed a slave later known as the comedic playwright Terence. Victory with wreath appears on both the silver and bronze issues of this moneyer, perhaps referring to a military victory by a member of the Terentia gens or to some contemporaneous Roman victory. While Crawford dates C. Terentius Lucanus’ coins at 147 BCE, Mattingly prefers a date in the late 140s BCE and suggests he was moneyer with L. Cup and C. Scribonius based on typology, abbreviation styles and prosopography.
The coin comes from the Duke of Northumberland Collection, catalogued by Admiral William Smyth in his 1856 book, "Descriptive Catalogue of A Cabinet of Roman Family Coins Belonging to His Grace the Duke of Northumberland," and sold by Sotheby’s in 1982. The Smyth book has no plates (line drawn or otherwise), but it does contain detailed descriptions of the collection coins with weights in grains. This coin is among those described in Smyth’s book, therefore it must have been acquired by the Duke’s family before 1856. Smyth described the collection as being in the Duke’s family for many years, so the ownership history conceivably dates to the 18th century.
Carausius
|
|
Crawford 245/3, ROMAN REPUBLIC, M. Marcius, AE QuadransRome, The Republic.
M. Marcius, 134 BCE.
AE Quadrans (6.42g; 21mm).
Rome Mint.
Obverse: Head of Hercules wearing lion-skin headdress, facing right; ●●● behind.
Reverse: Ship’s prow facing right; M·MARCI-MNF above; ●●● value mark below.
References: Crawford 245/3; Banti 18 (this coin illustrated); Sydenham 501a: BMCRR Rome 1017; Marcia 10.
Provenance: Ex Hessian Vordertaunus Collection [Peus 419 (27 Apr 2017), Lot 138]; ex Alberto Banti Collection [Peus 322 (1988), Lot 141].
Carausius
|
|
Crawford 251/2, ROMAN REPUBLIC, M. Fabrinius, AE TriensRome, The Republic.
M. Fabrinius, 132 BCE.
AE Triens (4.77g; 20mm).
Rome Mint.
Obverse: Helmeted head of Minerva, facing right; ●●●● value mark, behind.
Reverse: Ship’s prow facing right; M· FABRI-NI above; ●●●● value mark to before; ROMA below.
References: Crawford 251/2; Sydenham 453a; BMCRR Rome 982; Fabrinia 2.
Provenance: Ex Hessian Vordertaunus Collection [Peus 419 (27 Apr 2017), Lot 144]; ex Italo Vecchi FPL (1976), Lot 104.
According to Crawford, the moneyer is known only from his coins. According to Stevenson’s Dictionary of Roman Coins, the entire Fabrinia gens is known only from Roman Republican coins. M. Fabrinius produced bronze coins, but no silver coins.
Carausius
|
|
Crawford 149/3a, ROMAN REPUBLIC, L. Mamilius, AE TriensRome, The Republic.
L. Mamilius, 189-180 BCE.
AE Triens (10.51g; 22mm; 1h).
Rome Mint.
Obverse: Helmeted head of Minerva, facing right; ●●●● (mark-of-value) above.
Reverse: Ship’s prow, facing right; above, Ulysses with staff, flanked by [R]O-MA; ●●●● (mark-of-value) to right; [L·]MAMI[LI] below.
References: Crawford 149/3a; Sydenham 369b(R6); BMCRR ---; Mamilia 3.
Provenance: CNG eSale 473 (29 Jul 2020) Lot 233; Gitbud & Nauman Auction 23 (10 May 2014) Lot 641.
This coin is rare, and it was missing from the British Museum collection when the BMCRR was published in 1910. The Mamilia gens claimed descent from Telegonus, the son of Ulysses and Circe, and so they depict Ulysses on their coins. The Mamilia moneyer of this Triens is otherwise unknown to history and did not produce any known silver coins. See Crawford 362/1 for later denarii of C. Mamilius Limetanus, 82 BCE, depicting Ulysses meeting his dog, Argos.
Carausius
|
|
Crawford 313/3, ROMAN REPUBLIC, L. Memmius Galeria, AE SemisRome, The Republic.
L. Memmius Galeria, 106 BCE.
AE Semis (12.94g; 25mm; 6h).
Rome Mint.
Obverse: Laureate head of Saturn, facing right; S (mark-of-value) behind.
Reverse: Ship’s prow facing right with prow stem ornamented by head of Venus and Cupid, to right, crowning the head; L·(ME)MMI and S (mark-of-value) above; ROMA below.
References: Crawford 313/3; Sydenham 575a; BMCRR 1358; Memmia 4.
Provenance: Ex Naville 59 (26 Jul 2020) Lot 463; Naville 3 (2013) Lot 71.
The Memmii claimed descent from Mnestheus, described in Vergil’s Aeneid as a senior lieutenant under Aeneas. Venus was the titular deity for the family, and thus her head ornaments the prow stem. The denarii issued by this moneyer also show Cupid crowning Venus with wreath.
Carausius
|
|
Crawford 150/2, ROMAN REPUBLIC, M. Titinius, AE SemisRome, The Republic.
M. Titinius, 189-180 BCE.
AE Semis (20.38g; 25mm).
Rome Mint.
Obverse: Laureate head of Saturn, facing right; S (mark-of-value) behind.
Reverse: Ship’s prow facing right; M. TITINI above; S (mark-of-value) before; ROMA below.
References: Crawford 150/2; Sydenham 365a (R5); BMCRR 657; Titinia 2.
Provenance: Ex Nomisma E-Live Auction 12 (2019) Lot 2113; Dr. Giuseppe Toderi FPL 2 (1977), Lot 115.
Carausius
|
|
Crawford 193/1, ROMAN REPUBLIC, TVRD Series, AE AsRome, The Republic.
C. Papirius Turdus, 169-158 BCE.
AE As (28.69g; 34mm).
Rome Mint.
Obverse: Laureate Janus head; I (mark-of-value) above.
Reverse: Ship’s prow facing right; TVRD above; I (mark-of-value) to right; ROMA below.
References: Crawford 193/1; Sydenham 366; BMCRR 796; Banti 1/3 (this coin illustrated).
Provenance: Ex Numismatica Ars Classica Spring 2020 Auction (25 May 2020) Lot 386; Kunst und Munzen Auction 18 (1-3 Jun 1978) Lot 174.
We know from Cicero’s letters that the Turdii were a plebeian branch of the Papiria gens. Crawford thought the moneyer might be the son of C. Papirius Turdus’, who was tribune in 177 BCE. The moneyer produced no known silver coins.
Carausius
|
|
Crawford 259/1, ROMAN REPUBLIC, Q. Marcius Philippus, AR DenariusRome, The Republic.
Q. Marcius Philippus, 126 BCE.
AR Denarius (3.92g; 18mm).
Rome Mint.
Obverse: Helmeted head of Roma, facing right; * behind.
Reverse: Armed horseman galloping to right; Macedonian helmet with goat horns behind; Q PILIPVS below; ROMA in exergue.
References: Crawford 259/1; Sydenham 477; BMCRR 1143; Marcia 11.
Provenance: Ex A.J. Scammell Collection [DNW (3 Jun 2020) Lot 121 (part)].
Crawford chose 129 BCE as the date for this issue, but H.B. Mattingly in Essays Hersh chose a later date of 126 BCE based in part on the find of an FDC coin of Philippus in the ruins of Entremont (Aix-en-Provence, France) which was captured by the Romans in 123 BCE and abandoned. Crawford argues that the horned Macedonian helmet on the reverse alludes to Phillip V of Macedon as a naming reference to the moneyer. Goat-horned helmets were apparently a mark of Macedonian kings. In his Life of Pyrrhus, Plutarch references that Pyrrhus was recognizable by his helmet with “its towering crest and its goat’s horns” (Plutarch Pyrrhus 11).
Carausius
|
|
Crawford 271/1, ROMAN REPUBLIC, Mn. Acilius Balbus, AR DenariusRome, The Republic.
Mn. Acilius Balbus, 123 BCE.
AR Denarius (3.83g; 18mm).
Rome Mint.
Obverse: Helmeted head of Roma, facing right; BALBVS behind; ROMA below; * at chin; all within wreath.
Reverse: Jupiter hurling thunderbolt in quadriga driven by Victory to right; round (Macedonian?) shield below; MN.ACILI in exergue.
References: Crawford 271/1; Sydenham 498 (R3); BMCRR 1019; RBW 1089 (this coin); Acilia 1.
Provenance: Ex NAC Spring 2020 Sale (25 May 2020) Lot 482; RBW Collection [NAC 61 (2011) Lot 1085]; privately purchased from NAC in August 1991.
Crawford chose 125 BCE as the date for this issue, but H.B. Mattingly in Essays Hersh chose a later date of 123 BCE based on a re-analysis of hoard evidence. The moneyer, Mn. Acilius Balbus, was later Consul in 114 BCE. The obverse wreath border and reverse Victory perhaps refer to the military exploits of M. Acilius Balbus (Consul 150 BCE) who participated in the Third Macedonian War against Perseus in which Rome won victory at Pydna in 168 BCE. The round shield on the reverse, with its central boss and stellar pattern, may represent a Macedonian shield.
Carausius
|
|
Crawford 195/2, ROMAN REPUBLIC, Ass Series, AE SemisRome, The Republic.
Ass Series, 169-158 BCE.
AE Semis (11.72g; 25mm).
Rome Mint.
Obverse: Laureate head of Saturn facing right; S (mark-of-value) behind.
Reverse: Prow, with prow stem decorated by female head, facing right; Ass symbol above; S (mark-of-value) to right; ROMA below.
References: Crawford 195/2; Sydenham 298a; BMCRR ---; RBW 838.
Provenance: Ex Naville Numismatics Auction 10 (26 Oct 2014) Lot 87.
Crawford reported only two Roman Republican bronze series in which the reverse prow stem was decorated with a female head: Crawford 205 (P.SULLA); and Crawford 213 (Mast and Sail). The Ass Series should be a third such series, and there are likely others to be discovered. The top of the prow stem is a high-point and quick to wear, thus any ornamentation on this point is often undiscernible or missed. There is no missing the female head decorating the prow stem on this coin; it is even better seen in hand with a steeper light angle. Having reviewed multiple die examples of the Ass series in various print and online sources, I find the As and Semis of this series typically have a female head decorating the prow stem; while prow stems on the smaller denominations (triens, quadrans and sextans) do not appear ornamented. On those denominations with the ornamentation on the prow stem, the ornamentation is often poorly preserved, which is likely why is was previously missed in the standard catalogues.
The ass symbol may identify the otherwise anonymous moneyer as a member of the Junia gens. Grueber and Crawford both noted that the ass was the symbol of M. Junius Silanus and was used on Silanus’ coins as a naming pun (being the ass of “Silenus” the companion of Bacchus) (Crawford 220/1).
Carausius
|
|
Crawford 185/1, ROMAN REPUBLIC, VARO Series, AE AsRome, The Republic.
VARO Series, 169-158 BCE.
AE As (32.05g; 32mm).
Rome Mint.
Obverse: Laureate head of Janus; I (mark of value) above.
Reverse: Prow facing right; VARO above; I (mark of value) before; ROMA below.
References: Crawford 185/1; Sydenham 364; BMCRR 542-4; Terentia 4.
Varro was a cognomen used by men in a branch of the Terentia gens. Crawford mentions that the moneyer of this coin may be Aulus Terentius Varro, one of ten legates sent by the Senate in 146 to assist the consul Lucius Mummius in reorganizing Greece under Roman rule. It was Mummius who burned Corinth, killed all the male citizens and sold the women and children into slavery as punishment for their uprising against Rome.
Carausius
|
|
Crawford 190/4, ROMAN REPUBLIC, OPEI Series, AE QuadransRome, The Republic.
OPEI Series, 169-158 BCE.
AE Quadrans (4.28g; 20mm).
Rome Mint.
Obverse: Youthful head of Hercules wearing lion skin, facing right; ●●● (mark of value) behind.
Reverse: Prow facing right; OPEI above; ●●● (mark of value) before; ROMA below.
References: Crawford 190/4; Sydenham 363c; RBW 814; BMCRR ---; Opeimia 10.
Provenance: Ex JD Collection [NAC 78 (26 May 2014) Lot 1693]; DNW Auction (27 Sept 2007) Lot 2433.
Possibly struck by Q. Opeimius who was consul in 154 BCE; however, there is another OPEI series (Crawford 188) of similar time period that might also belong to that consul. This is a scarce denomination for this series, with only five examples in the BnF collection in Paris and none in the British Museum as of 1910.
Carausius
|
|
Crawford 174/3, ROMAN REPUBLIC, A. Caecilius, AE TriensRome, The Republic.
A Caecilius, 169-158 BCE.
AE Triens (6.88g; 21mm).
Rome Mint.
Obverse: Helmeted head of Minerva facing right; ●●●● (mark-of-value) above.
Reverse: Prow facing right; ●●●● (mark-of-value) before; A·CAE above.
References: Crawford 174/3; Sydenham 355b; BMCRR 820; Caecilia 10.
Provenance: Ex Gemini XII (11 Jan 2015), Lot 276; RBW Collection [NAC Auction 61 (5-6 October 2011), Lot 735]; privately purchased from Kurt Spanier on 12 Dec 1990.
The moneyer may be the son of the A. Caecilius that is mentioned in Livy as an Aedile in 189 BCE. While asses of A. Caecilius are common (30 specimens in the Paris collection), trientes are scarce (only 4 examples in the Paris collection). This is the case with many second century Republican bronze series; the fractions are often considerably scarcer than the As of the same series, but are frequently overlooked by collectors in favor of the larger denomination.
Carausius
|
|
Crawford 323/1, ROMAN REPUBLIC, L. Julius, AR DenariusRome, The Republic.
L. Julius, 101 BCE.
AR Denarius (4.0g; 20mm).
Rome Mint.
Obverse: Helmeted head of Roma, facing right; corn ear behind
Reverse: Victory in biga galloping right; L.IVLI below.
References: Crawford 323/1; Sydenham 585; BMCRR 1676; Julia 3.
Provenance: Ex Collection of a World War II Veteran; acquired July 1963 from Richard M. Muniz.
The moneyer was likely not a Caesar, though a member of the same Julia gens. Comparatively, just a few years earlier, in 103 BCE, an L. Julius Caesar struck coins with a prominent “CAESAR” inscription. The corn ear on the obverse may refer to a corn distribution, the purchase of which might have been the purpose of the coins.
Carausius
|
|
Crawford 148/1, ROMAN REPUBLIC, Q. Marius, AE AsRome, The Republic.
Q. Marius, 189-180 BCE.
AE As (31.17g; 32mm).
Rome Mint.
Obverse: Head of Janus; I (mark of value) above.
Reverse: Prow facing right; Q.MARI above; I (mark of value) to right; ROMA below.
References: Crawford 148/1; Sydenham 367 (R7); BMCRR 822; Maria 1.
Provenance: Ex Nomisma E-Live Auction 10 (18 Jun 2019) Lot 22; Bombarda Collection; NAC 9 (16 Apr 1996) Lot 587.
This is a particularly fine example of this scarce type. Not much is known of the moneyer beyond his coins. He is likely NOT an ancestor of Gaius Marius who would later serve seven consulships and challenge Sulla.
Carausius
|
|
Crawford 245/1, ROMAN REPUBLIC, M. Marcius, AR DenariusRome, The Republic.
M. Marcius, 134 BCE.
AR Denarius (3.95g; 19mm).
Rome Mint.
Obverse: Helmeted head of Roma facing right; modius behind; * below chin.
Reverse: Victory in biga galloping right; two wheat ears and M-MAR-C below; RO-MA in exergue.
References: Crawford 245/1; Sydenham 500; BMCRR 1008-13; Marcia 8.
One of the moneyer’s ancestors was an aedile in charge grain distribution to the Roman people, and the modius and wheat ears refer to this family connection.
Carausius
|
|
Crawford 156/1, ROMAN REPUBLIC, Prawn Series, AR DenariusRome. The Republic.
Anonymous Prawn Series, 179-169 BCE.
AR Denarius (3.87g; 19mm).
Rome Mint.
Obverse: Helmeted head of Roma facing right; behind, X.
Reverse: Luna in biga galloping right; prawn below horses; in exergue, ROMA in linear frame.
References: Crawford 156/1; Sydenham 343; BMCRR 585.
Provenance: Ex Frederick S. Knobloch Collection [Stack's, 3-4 May 1978, Lot 97]. Carausius
|
|
Crawford 249/1, ROMAN REPUBLIC, P. Maenius Antias, AR DenariusRome, The Republic.
P. Maenius M.f. Antias, 132 BCE.
AR Denarius (3.88g; 19mm).
Rome Mint.
Obverse: Helmeted head of Roma facing right; * behind.
Reverse: Victory in quadriga galloping right; P. MAE ANT below; ROMA in exergue.
References: Crawford 249/1; Sydenham 492; BMCRR 988-90; Maenia 7.
Provenance: Ex Stack's Auction, 14-15 June 1971, Lot 109.
The reverse refers to the moneyer’s ancestor, C. Maenius, consul in 338 BCE, who had a victory over the Latins near Antium and received the surname Antias or Antiaticus. Antium was a Volscian city that was in revolt at the time. The rams of the ships of Antium were taken by Rome and used to adorn the Rostrum in the Roman Forum.
Carausius
|
|
Crawford 322/1, ROMAN REPUBLIC, C. Fabius C. f. Hadrianus, AR DenariusRome. The Republic.
C. Fabius C. f. Hadrianus, 102 BCE.
AR Denarius (3.99g; 20mm).
Rome Mint.
Obverse: Veiled and turreted head of Cybele, facing right; Є behind.
Reverse: Victory in fast biga galloping right; heron/stork below; C· FABI· C· F in exergue.
References: Crawford 322/1a; Sydenham 589; BMCRR 1581; Fabia 15.
Provenance: Ex Nomisma 58 (6 Nov 2018) Lot 93.
This is the second variety of Fabius’ denarii, without the obverse inscription referencing public silver [EX· A· PV] behind the head of Cybele. For more on the public silver inscription variety and an explanation of the heron/stork on Fabius’ coinage, see my other gallery entry here: http://www.forumancientcoins.com/gallery/displayimage.php?pos=-149699
Carausius
|
|
Crawford 286/1, ROMAN REPUBLIC, M. Sergius Silus, AR DenariusRome, The Republic.
M. Sergius Silus, 116-115 BCE.
AR Denarius (3.94g; 19mm).
Rome Mint.
Obverse: Head of Roma in winged helmet, facing right; ROMA and * (mark of value) behind; EX S C before.
Reverse: Horseman galloping left, holding severed head and sword in extended left hand; Q and M SERGI below horse; SILVS in exergue.
References: Crawford 286/1; Sydenham 544; BMCRR (Italy) 512; Sergia 1.
Provenance: Ex Nomisma 58 (6 Nov 2018) Lot 165.
M. Sergius Silus struck this coin as quaestor by special decree of the Senate. The coin celebrates the deeds of the quaestor’s ancestor, also named M. Sergius Silus, the great grandfather of Cataline (the infamous conspirator prosecuted by Cicero). During the Second Punic War, he lost his right hand in battle, and fitted a prosthesis that allowed him to hold a shield. Thus, he is depicted holding both his sword and the severed head of a foe in his LEFT hand.
Carausius
|
|
Crawford 317/2, ROMAN REPUBLIC, L. Appuleius Saturninus, AR DenariusRome, The Republic.
L. Appuleius Saturninus, 101 BCE.
AR Denarius (3.92g; 18mm).
Rome Mint.
Obverse: Saturn driving fast quadriga right, holding harpa; ROMA in exergue.
Reverse: Saturn driving fast quadriga right, holding harpa; ·V below; L·SATVRN in exergue.
References: Crawford 317/2; Sydenham 580 (R6); BMCRR 1561-3; Appuleia 3.
Provenance: Ex P&P Santamaria (4 May 1961) Lot 150.
The type is one of an interesting series of three types by Saturninus, two of which depict Saturn as a naming pun. The first of the three types is a standard Roma head/quadriga; the second has Roma heads on both sides of the coin; the third (this coin) has quadrigae on both sides of the coin. The letter control marks on this double-quadriga type are unique to each die. Crawford attributed Saturninus' coinage to 104 BCE; but H.B. Mattingly, in Essays Hersh (1998), argues for a slightly later date based on a consensus that Saturninus was Quaestor in 104 BCE.
Saturninus was Quaestor in 104 BCE and Tribune of the Plebs in 103 and 100 BCE. He was a supporter of Marius and as Tribune he engaged in a series of aggressive political maneuvers including introducing land grants for Marius’ veterans. During an election, he arranged the brutal murder of the political rival of one of his allies, and this proved to be his downfall. Cornered and captured by a militia assembled by Marius himself, Saturninus and his conspirators were ultimately killed by a lynch mob.
Carausius
|
|
Crawford 214/1, ROMAN REPUBLIC, M. Atilius Saranus, AR DenariusRome, 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.
Carausius
|
|
Crawford 322/1, ROMAN REPUBLIC, C. Fabius C.f. Hadrianus, AR DenariusRome. The Republic.
C. Fabius C. f. Hadrianus, 102 BCE.
AR Denarius (4.01g; 20mm).
Rome Mint.
Obverse: Veiled and turreted head of Cybele, facing right; EX· A· PV, behind.
Reverse: Victory in fast biga galloping right; A· and heron/stork below; C· FABI· C· F in exergue.
References: Crawford 322/1b; Sydenham 590; BMCRR 1592; Fabia 14.
Provenance: Ex Heritage Europe Auction 44 (26 Nov 2014), Lot 35.
While not certain, the moneyer may be Caius Fabius Hadrianus, who was praetor in 84 BCE, propraetor in 83–82 BCE and who was burned alive in his official residence during a Sullan uprising in 82. He struck two distinct series of this denarius: one, without an obverse inscription but with Greek letter control marks behind the obverse head; the other with Latin letter control marks on the reverse and the EX· A· PV obverse inscription. The obverse inscription is an abbreviation for EX A[RGENTO] PV[BLICO] meaning “from the public silver”. Only eight issues of Roman Republican coins reference the public silver, and it is not abundantly clear why this reference is needed since official silver coinage should always be struck from state silver. Fabius’s issue is the first of four issues struck circa 102-100 to bear a “public silver” inscription, which Crawford attributes as a sign of the populist times. Given that Hadrianus may have been killed in 82 by Sulla supporters because of his populist sympathies, Crawford’s attribution of the inscription as a populist message may be correct.
The bird on the reverse of the coin deserves some comment. According to Pliny, some members of the Fabia gens took the cognomen Buteones (a Buteo is a type of hawk or bird), after a bird settled on a Fabian’s ship and was taken as a good omen in advance of a victory. Both Grueber and Crawford interpret the heron/stork on the reverse of this coin as further evidence of Pliny’s story, and as likely proof that Pliny got the type of bird wrong in his retelling of the story. The bird is certainly important to the moneyer, as he also included the symbol on his AE Asses.
Carausius
|
|
Crawford 317/3, ROMAN REPUBLIC, L. Appuleius Saturninus, AR DenariusRome. The Repubic.
L. Appuleius Saturninus, 101 BCE.
AR Denarius (3.88g; 18mm).
Rome Mint.
Obverse: Helmeted head of Roma, facing left.
Reverse: Saturn holding harpa in fast quadriga galloping right; pellet and sideways E, above; L·SATVRN below.
References: Crawford 317/3a; Sydenham 578; BMCRR 1533 var (dot to left of control letter); Appuleia 1.
Provenance: Ex Stöcklin Family Collection [Nomos 14 (17 May 2017) Lot 229].
The moneyer was L. Appuleius Saturninus, who was Quaestor and twice Tribune near the close of the second century BCE. Crawford attributed the coinage to 104 BCE; but H.B. Mattingly, in Essays Hersh (1998), argues for a slightly later date based on a consensus that Saturninus was Quaestor in 104 BCE. This was a large issue with Crawford estimating 370 obverse dies and 462 reverse dies. No reverse control mark has more than one die. Given the large number of reverse dies, the control marks get somewhat convoluted, with letters in various orientations and combined with one or more pellets. The type, bearing Saturn, is certainly a pun on the moneyer’s name (Saturninus); a common practice among both Greek and Roman coin producers (see, e.g., Greek coins of Selinos bearing celery plants and Roman coins of Q. Pomponius Musa bearing the Muses).
Carausius
|
|
Crawford 210/1, ROMAN REPUBLIC, Caius Junius, AR DenariusRome. The Republic.
Caius Junius C.f., 149 BCE.
AR Denarius (3.70g; 18mm).
Rome Mint.
Obverse: Helmeted head of Roma, facing right; X (mark-of-value = 10 asses), behind.
Reverse: Dioscuri galloping right with couched spears; C·IVNI· C· F, below; ROMA in linear frame in exergue.
References: Crawford 210/1; BMCRR 660-3; Sydenham 392; Junia 1.
Provenance: Roma Numismatics Auction VIII (28 Sep 2014), lot 832; Roma Numismatics Auction V (23 Mar 2013), Lot 504; NAC Auction 54 (24 Mar 2010), Lot 166.
This moneyer is unknown except for his coins. His coins have the distinction of being the first in the Republican series to bear patronymic initials, specifically identifying the moneyer versus other family members. In this case, the letters “C· F” represent Caii Filius (son of Caius). Thus, the moneyer is clearly identified as Caius Junius, the son of Caius Junius. In the later decades of the second century, this practice of individual identification, combined with type selections that highlighted ancestral deeds, was employed for political messaging campaigns by young moneyers on the path to consulship. The practice appears to have accelerated following the adoption of secret ballots circa 139 BCE (See, H.B. Mattingly, “Roman Republican Coinage c. 150-90 BC”: Essays Hersh, 1998).
Carausius
|
|
Crawford 195/1, ROMAN REPUBLIC, Ass Series, AE As Ass Series, 169-158 BCE.
AE As (27.59g; 30mm).
Rome Mint.
Obverse: Laureate head of Janus; I (mark of value), above.
Reverse: Galley prow facing right; ass, above; I (mark of value) to right; ROMA below.
References: Crawford 195/1; Sydenham 298; BMCRR I 520-4; RBW 837.
Provenance: Ex RBW Collection duplicates [Triskeles vAuctions 320 (16 Sep 2016), Lot 414]; purchased privately from Kurt Spanier, 17 Jan 2003.
Towards the middle of the second century BCE, the Rome mint produced several series consisting only of bronze coins. The Ass Series is one of them. The demand for bronze coins may have increased as Rome phased-out production of small-change silver coins - victoriati and sestertii. The production of bronze peaked at the middle of this century and then dropped considerably until the Social War in 90 BCE. This drop in bronze production is partly related to the re-tariffing of the denarius in 145 BCE from 10 to 16 asses. As a result these mid-second century asses and the large bronzes that preceded them would circulate for many years.
Carausius
|
|
Crawford 183/1, ROMAN REPUBLIC, Wolf and Twins Series, AE AsRome. The Republic
Wolf and Twins Series, 169-158 BCE.
AE As (26.42g; 35mm).
Rome Mint.
Obverse: Laureate head of Janus; I (mark of value), above.
Reverse: Galley prow facing right; she-wolf suckling the twins, Romulus and Remus, above; I (mark of value) to right; ROMA below.
References: Crawford 183/1; Sydenham 297; BMCRR 514-6; RBW 775.
Provenance: Ex SteveX6 Collection; ex CNG eSale 307, Lot 269; ex RBW duplicates (not in prior sales); purchased from Bank Leu (Jan 1985).
Apparently RBW purchased more than one Wolf and Twins As from Bank Leu in January 1985, as the specimen in the NAC auction shares the same Bank Leu origin and date. I have the original RBW ticket for this coin and so I’m confident that the provenance information is correct.
Carausius
|
|
Crawford 194/1, ROMAN REPUBLIC, Anchor (Third) Series, AE AsRome. The Republic
Anchor (Third) Series, 169-158 BCE.
AE As (35.22g; 35mm).
Rome Mint.
Obverse: Laureate head of Janus; I (mark of value), above.
Reverse: Galley prow facing right; I (mark of value), above; anchor, before; ROMA, below.
References: Crawford 194/1; Sydenham 238; BMCRR 519; RBW 831.
Provenance: Ex Dr. Walter Neussel Jr. Collection [Peus Auction 420/421 (1 Nov 2017), Lot 72]; ex M&M Deutschland 9 (2001), Lot 338; Munz Zentrum Auktion XXX (21 Nov 1977) Lot 137.
The two series of Anchor bronzes are easily distinguishable by style and fabric. The first bronze anchor series (Cr 50) is of finer style and struck on good quality flans; the second bronze anchor series (actually the third anchor series overall) (Cr 194), exhibited here, is less refined, with upward gazing Janus and often poorly cast flans. In BMCRR, Grueber suggests a possible connection between coins with anchor symbol and the Quinctia gens, because anchor symbols also occur with the letter Q (see Crawford 86B).
Carausius
|
|
Crawford 238/3, ROMAN REPUBLIC, L. Antestius Gragulus, AE QuadransRome. The Republic.
L. Antestius Gragulus, 136 BCE
AE Quadrans (3.87g; 18mm).
Rome Mint.
Obverse: Head of young Hercules wearing lionskin headdress, facing right; ●●● (mark of value), behind.
Reverse: Prow right; ●●● (mark of value), before; LANTES (NTE ligate) above; ROMA below.
References: Crawford 238/3e; RBW 983 (this coin illustrated); Sydenham 452d; BMCRR 981var (see note 1); SRCV-I 1142.
Provenance: Ex FORVM Ancient Coins; Andrew McCabe Collection; RBW Collection [NAC 61 (Oct 2011) Lot 979]; Goodman Collection [CNG 45 (1998) Lot 1536].
The moneyer is not known except for his coins. He may have been the son of C. Antestius who was moneyer in 146 BCE. Some of his quadrantes depict a jackdaw on the prow which was likely a pun on his name Gragulus. These quadrantes are quite rare, with Crawford reporting only 9 total examples in Paris of 5 different varieties.
Carausius
|
|
Crawford 198/1, Roman Republic - Anonymous DenariusRome. The Republic.
Anonymous, 157-156 BCE.
AR Denarius (4.18 g; 18 mm).
Rome mint.
Obverse: Helmeted head of Roma facing right with peaked visor and earring of long, single drop; X (mark-of-value = 10 asses), behind.
Reverse: The Dioscuri galloping right holding spears; two stars above; ROMA below in linear frame.
References: Crawford 198/1; BMCRR (Italy) 390; Brinkman 43.
Provenance: Acquired with an Italian export permit.
This is the last variety of fully anonymous denarii struck by the Roman Republic, and it is often mistaken for the earlier and more common Crawford 53/2. Both types depict Roma in a peaked-visor helmet. The most obvious differences are that the rider's cape on Cr. 198 is longer at the top than the bottom - looking almost wing-like - and the horse's tail extends straight-out on Cr. 198. The variety is rarely so well centered as this specimen which clearly shows that the ROMA legend is within a three-sided frame (most examples showing only two sides of the frame). Carausius
|
|
Crawford 219/1, ROMAN REPUBLIC, C. Antestius, AR DenariusRome, The Republic.
C. Antestius, 146 BCE.
AR Denarius (4.07g; 20mm).
Rome Mint.
Obv: Helmeted head of Roma facing right; C ANTESTI behind; X (mark-of-value) below chin.
Rev: Dioscuri galloping right with couched spears; puppy below, with front feet raised; ROMA in exergue.
References: Crawford 219/1e; Sydenham 411; BMCRR 860; Antestia 1.
Provenance: Ex Artemide Auction 2 (1996), Lot 411.
The moneyer is unknown. Grueber suggests he may have been the son of C. Antestius Labeo, who was a Senator and ambassador to Macedonia circa 167 BCE. Crawford disputes this assertion.Carausius
|
|
Crawford 133/2, ROMAN REPUBLIC, Cn. Baebius TampilusRome, The Republic.
Cn. Baebius Tampilus, 194-190 BCE.
AR Denarius (4.02g; 19mm).
Rome Mint.
Obv: Helmeted head of Roma, facing right; X value mark behind.
Rev: Dioscuri riding right with couched spears; TAMP monogram above; ROMA in linear frame below.
References: Crawford 133/2b; Sydenham 334; Banti 1/2 (this coin illustrated); BMCRR 557-8; Baebia 1.
Provenance: Ex Stoeklin Collection [Nomos 14 (17 May 2017) Lot 220]; ex E.J. Haeberlin Collection [Cahn-Hess (17 Jul 1933) Lot 345].
The identity of the moneyer is not entirely clear, as there are several family member possibilities, based on prosopographical evidence. There are two sub-varieties of this denarius, one with the monogram above the Dioscuri as this coin, and the other with the monogram below the horses. Both types are scarce. Carausius
|
|
Crawford 178/1, ROMAN REPUBLIC, Lucius Cornelius Cinna, AE AsRome, The Republic.
Lucius Cornelius Cinna, 169-158 BCE.
AE As (32.53g).
Rome Mint.
Obv: Laureate, bearded head of Janus.
Rev: Prow facing right; CINA above; [ROMA] below; I (mark-of-value) before.
References: Crawford 178/1; BMCRR 804-6; Sydenham 368; RBW 752 (this coin illustrated); Cornelia 11.
Provenance: Ex Kuenker eLive Auction 46 (25 Jul 2017) Lot 53; ex RBW Collection [NAC 61 (2011), Lot 748]; ex Aes Rude 56 (1994), Lot 150.
Crawford surmises that the moneyer is L. Cornelius Cinna who become consul in 127 BCE. The significant passage of time from his moneyership when this coin was struck and consulship 27 years later is attributed to him being the first in his family to reach the office, and thus he failed to get elected to the intervening, required office at the earliest possible time. These prescribed political offices, their order and timing, are referred to as the "Cursus Honorum." When considered with available prosopographical evidence, the Cursus Honorum is a critical clue for dating and attributing Roman Republican coins.Carausius
|
|
Crawford 311/1, ROMAN REPUBLIC, L. Scipio AsiagenusRome, The Republic.
L. Scipio Asiagenus, 106 BCE.
AR Serrate Denarius (3.95g; 19mm).
Rome Mint.
Obv: Laureate head of Jupiter facing left; R● (control mark) behind.
Rev: Jupiter in quadriga galloping right, hurling thunderbolt and holding scepter; L●SCIP●ASIAG in exergue.
References: Crawford 311/1a; Sydenham 576; BMCRR 1372; Cornelia 24
Provenance: Ex Gemini XII (11 Jan 2015), Lot 287; HJB 163 (25 March 2009), lot 224; ex A.K. Collection [Triton XII (6 Jan 2009), lot 462 (part)]; Münzhandlung E. Button Auction 101 (28-29 October 1959), Lot 149.
Each control mark in this series is a single die. The reverse recalls the moneyer's ancestor, L. Cornelius Scipio (son of Africanus), who had a victory against the Syrians in 190 BCE and took the name Asiagenus. The moneyer was likely the L. Cornelius Asiaticus that became consul in 83 BCE. He served in the Social War and was allied with Marius at the time of his consulship. He was imprisoned by Sulla and released. However he was later proscribed by Sulla and fled Rome. Carausius
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
