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Barbarians: The "Dreadlocked Gallia," Hostilius Saserna AR Denarius, 48 BCE
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Roman Republic. L. Hostilius Saserna AR Denarius (4,03g, 19mm, 8h), Rome, 48 BCE.
Obv: Head of Gallia (as Pallor) w/ corded hair, grimacing, facing r.; Gallic trumpet (carnyx) behind.
Rev: L•HOSTILIVS / SASERNA. Diana / Artemis of Massalia (after Ephesos) standing facing, holding spear & stag by antler.
Ref: Crawford 448/3; Hostilia 4; Syd 953; Fitzwilliam CM 1459-1963 (ill. on CRRO).
Prov: Bertolami Fine Arts Web Auction 92 (3 Oct 2020), Lot 987.
Notes: A classic of Republican "captives" coinage, the obverse depicts the same female captive shown on Julius Caesar's famous denarius (Craw 468/1); my specimen: [FAC Gallery LINK]. A second denarius was issued depicting the head of the male (Vercingetorix?).
The obverse dies for this type (Crawford observed 126 of them!) fall into two groups: those presenting an "idealized" Gallia (much more common), and those attempting greater "realism" (including this one). (Some dies in the latter group are dreadful.)
This particular die presents a uniquely vivacious portrait in highly realistic style. Was this a "master die" for the issue, based on an actual living Gallic captive as the model? Who was she? If one accepts Vercingetorix as the male captive on Caesar's & Saserna's denarii, could "Gallia" have been a member of his family?
More notes, references linked, coin-in-hand video: [website LINK]
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![Barbarians: The "Dreadlocked Gallia," Hostilius Saserna AR Denarius, 48 BCE
[b]Roman Republic. L. Hostilius Saserna AR Denarius [/b] (4,03g, 19mm, 8h), Rome, 48 BCE.
[b]Obv[/b]: Head of Gallia (as Pallor) w/ corded hair, grimacing, facing r.; Gallic trumpet (carnyx) behind.
[b]Rev[/b]: L•HOSTILIVS / SASERNA. Diana / Artemis of Massalia (after Ephesos) standing facing, holding spear & stag by antler.
[b]Ref[/b]: Crawford 448/3; Hostilia 4; Syd 953; Fitzwilliam CM 1459-1963 (ill. on CRRO).
[b]Prov[/b]: Bertolami Fine Arts Web Auction 92 (3 Oct 2020), Lot 987.
[b]Notes[/b]: A classic of Republican "captives" coinage, the obverse depicts the same female captive shown on Julius Caesar's famous denarius (Craw 468/1); my specimen: [url=https://www.forumancientcoins.com/gallery/displayimage.php?pid=174799][FAC Gallery LINK][/url]. A second denarius was issued depicting the head of the male (Vercingetorix?).
The obverse dies for this type (Crawford observed 126 of them!) fall into two groups: those presenting an "idealized" Gallia (much more common), and those attempting greater "realism" (including this one). (Some dies in the latter group are dreadful.)
This particular die presents a uniquely vivacious portrait in highly realistic style. Was this a "master die" for the issue, based on an actual living Gallic captive as the model? Who was she? If one accepts Vercingetorix as the male captive on Caesar's & Saserna's denarii, could "Gallia" have been a member of his family?
[b]More notes, references linked, coin-in-hand video[/b]: [url=https://conservatoricoins.com/conservatori-hostilius-saserna-ar-denarius-dreadlocked-gallia/][website LINK][/url]](albums/userpics/27154/normal_CONSERVATORI-Hostilius_Saserna_AR_Denarius_Dreadlocked_Gallia_DRAFT_2-B.png "Click to view full size image
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Barbarians: The \"Dreadlocked Gallia,\" Hostilius Saserna AR Denarius, 48 BCE
[b]Roman Republic. L. Hostilius Saserna AR Denarius [/b] (4,03g, 19mm, 8h), Rome, 48 BCE.
[b]Obv[/b]: Head of Gallia (as Pallor) w/ corded hair, grimacing, facing r.; Gallic trumpet (carnyx) behind.
[b]Rev[/b]: L•HOSTILIVS / SASERNA. Diana / Artemis of Massalia (after Ephesos) standing facing, holding spear & stag by antler.
[b]Ref[/b]: Crawford 448/3; Hostilia 4; Syd 953; Fitzwilliam CM 1459-1963 (ill. on CRRO).
[b]Prov[/b]: Bertolami Fine Arts Web Auction 92 (3 Oct 2020), Lot 987.
[b]Notes[/b]: A classic of Republican \"captives\" coinage, the obverse depicts the same female captive shown on Julius Caesar's famous denarius (Craw 468/1); my specimen: [url=https://www.forumancientcoins.com/gallery/displayimage.php?pid=174799][FAC Gallery LINK][/url]. A second denarius was issued depicting the head of the male (Vercingetorix?).
The obverse dies for this type (Crawford observed 126 of them!) fall into two groups: those presenting an \"idealized\" Gallia (much more common), and those attempting greater \"realism\" (including this one). (Some dies in the latter group are dreadful.)
This particular die presents a uniquely vivacious portrait in highly realistic style. Was this a \"master die\" for the issue, based on an actual living Gallic captive as the model? Who was she? If one accepts Vercingetorix as the male captive on Caesar's & Saserna's denarii, could \"Gallia\" have been a member of his family?
[b]More notes, references linked, coin-in-hand video[/b]: [url=https://conservatoricoins.com/conservatori-hostilius-saserna-ar-denarius-dreadlocked-gallia/][website LINK][/url]")
