Wanted: Images of Tesserae

[Ardatirion]

At the moment, I'm working on completing my undergraduate thesis on ancient lead tesserae. I'm looking for any images that you may have of the tokens in your private collections, whether in lead or bronze. If you'd prefer, feel free to contact me privately.

Your help is appreciated!

[areich]

I must admit, I'm a bit hazy on the subject of what is or isn't a tessera.
Here's something that's most likely not a coin, it's AE12, if you're interested in the weight, I'll have to look for it.

Andreas

[Ardatirion]

I must admit, I'm a bit hazy on the subject of what is or isn't a tessera.
Here's something that's most likely not a coin, it's AE12, if you're interested in the weight, I'll have to look for it.

Andreas

For a working definition: anything that resembles a coin, but is not.

That's wonderful! Definitely the largest flan I've ever seen this type struck on. Can you get me the eight, and the die axis? We had a brief discussion on these a while back. Compare:
https://www.forumancientcoins.com/gallery/displayimage.php?pos=-44922

[areich]

About 340° and 2.15g. I didn't even think of that one, because mine's much heavier, also cruder.

[tacrolimus]

Lead, 17 mm, 4.0 g, axis 12

obv: Mercurius standing left holding purse (?) and caduceus; to right MF (Mercurius Felix?)
Rev: Iuppiter (?) standing left, holding thunderbolt and sceptre (no letters readable)

I have not found it in Rostzowzew or supplement

Luigi

[Andrew McCabe]

At the moment, I'm working on completing my undergraduate thesis on ancient lead tesserae. I'm looking for any images that you may have of the tokens in your private collections, whether in lead or bronze. If you'd prefer, feel free to contact me privately.

Your help is appreciated!

Here's a couple: the first having an elephant and family name (TORQ.), the second imitative of a coin of C.Piso Frugi of 67BC and with the names FRONT. and FAB.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/ahala_rome/3566170507/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/ahala_rome/3752085313/

[Aleph]

How many images are you looking for?  I have collected a few roman tesserae, some AE some Pb, but havent photographed all yet.  Heres a couple:

1. Roman tessera. Pb.  18.3 x 17.6mm.  3.08 g, 12 h.
IV E, NES (in two lines).
Isis std. l. holding sistum and situla.

2. Roman tessera. AE, 16.4 mm, 2.46 g, 5h.
TR (ligate).
G.
Cohen 60 (3 fr.)

Best,
Kevin

[Ardatirion]

At the moment, I'm working on completing my undergraduate thesis on ancient lead tesserae. I'm looking for any images that you may have of the tokens in your private collections, whether in lead or bronze. If you'd prefer, feel free to contact me privately.

Your help is appreciated!

Here's a couple: the first having an elephant and family name (TORQ.), the second imitative of a coin of C.Piso Frugi of 67BC and with the names FRONT. and FAB.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/ahala_rome/3566170507/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/ahala_rome/3752085313/

The elephant is not an uncommon theme on tesserae. Rostowzew catalogs eight with a legend reverse: AVG, CST, LAS (seventeen specimens in museums) LNI, MA, TFN, TMA, SEXTVS (circular), and CERDO. Cf. Rostowzew (1903) 636-642.

The imitative piece does not fit with the main body of tesserae from the city of Rome. Its probably an imitation or temporary issue of some sort, perhaps struck during the Civil War?

[Ardatirion]

Lead, 17 mm, 4.0 g, axis 12

obv: Mercurius standing left holding purse (?) and caduceus; to right MF (Mercurius Felix?)
Rev: Iuppiter (?) standing left, holding thunderbolt and sceptre (no letters readable)

I have not found it in Rostzowzew or supplement

Luigi

I can concur that its not in Rostowzew, neither are there any specimens in the BM. This doesn't really surprise me. The style on your piece is finer than the main group of tesserae from Rome and it looks like it was struck, not cast.

[Ardatirion]

How many images are you looking for?  I have collected a few roman tesserae, some AE some Pb, but havent photographed all yet.  Heres a couple:

1. Roman tessera. Pb.  18.3 x 17.6mm.  3.08 g, 12 h.
IV E, NES (in two lines).
Isis std. l. holding sistum and situla.

2. Roman tessera. AE, 16.4 mm, 2.46 g, 5h.
TR (ligate).
G.
Cohen 60 (3 fr.)

Best,
Kevin

That Iuvenes piece looks familiar. I'm primarily interested in the leads, but more images of the bronze ones would be appreciated as well.

[Andrew McCabe]

The elephant is not an uncommon theme on tesserae. Rostowzew catalogs eight with a legend reverse: AVG, CST, LAS (seventeen specimens in museums) LNI, MA, TFN, TMA, SEXTVS (circular), and CERDO. Cf. Rostowzew (1903) 636-642.

The imitative piece does not fit with the main body of tesserae from the city of Rome. Its probably an imitation or temporary issue of some sort, perhaps struck during the Civil War?

This elephant clearly says TORQ(uatus) so would be an addition to Rostowzew.

The imitative Piso Frvgi with the family names FABIA and FRONTO seems to occur in some quantity. Given the double family names I'd suggest Duovirs of some sort, perhaps a city issue for some local games. They are quite well made. I've seen others. The source-type of Piso Frugi is imitated quite closely so some care was taken that it look like a current coin. Hence I hazarded a date in the 50s BC, perhaps from a smaller Italian city.

Perhaps they were given out at some political event and exchangeable for real denarii?? Like the modern scrip dollars.

[Aleph]

Maybe you can tell me more about some of these tesserae?  Here's another one.

Pb, 15.0 x 15.3 mm, 2.70 g, 12 h.
Dog/rabbit

Kevin

[Joe Sermarini]

We have a small collection that will be added to the catalog soon. 

[Ardatirion]

We have a small collection that will be added to the catalog soon. 

I'd better be quick to buy them, then!

[Aleph]

We have a small collection that will be added to the catalog soon. 

I'd better be quick to buy them, then!

Indeed!  Looking forward to seeing what you have, Joe!
Kevin