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Cr 519/2 Cn. Domitius Ahenobarbus AR Denariusc. 41 b.c.e. Greek coastal mint or possibly a Shipboard mint
o: Bearded head of Lucius (?) Ahenobarbus r., AHENOBAR before
r: CN.DOMITIVS.IMP Ship's prow r., w/ military trophy
HCRI 339 Domitia 21
3.79 gm.
A flip-flopper of exquisitely flexible principles, Gnaeus salvaged his family’s future by deserting to Octavian days before the battle of Actium, paving his posthumous way to becoming Emperor Nero’s great-grandfather. Suetonius says that Gnaeus “omnibus gentis suae procul dubio praeferendum” -- was “undoubtedly the best of his entire extended family, ever”. Considering that the entire extended family was considered remarkably depraved, Nero’s father most of all, that is faint praise indeed.
Lucky he was also to have previously commanded the "Liberators' " fleet and at sea instead of standing in the mud at Philippi, as the trophy presumably represents his irrelevant victory over Domitius Calvinus in October 42. To my eye, the trophy is not distinctly nautical standing alone and perhaps the entire design reflects a naval trophy that he erected on a friendly shore point.
His allies Brutus and Cassius having committed suicide, Gnaeus took his 72 ships and two legions a-pirating rather successfully for nearly a decade. Thinking he had made a good pile of stolen booty but that the tide was turning (indeed, he also struck an aureus), he then struck a deal with Antonius (an add-on to the Sextus Pompeius work-out) and became consul for 32. Dry land politics being more fickle than piracy, he soon had to choose between Octavian and Antonius and headed east. There, he suddenly became a Model Virtuous Roman in antagonism to Cleopatra, persuading no one, and finally rowed over to Octavian, who accepted him rather than having Agrippa treat him to a game of "walk the plank". Yet he died a few days later of “fever”, which tended to happen to temporarily incapacitated power brokers recuperating near Octavian (see my Cr. 449/2 Pansa) or Livia Drusilla (see, "I, Claudius"). His defection and various marriage connections (and I would like to think a map to his buried pirate treasure, but wrong movie ...) kept his descendants comfortably depraved for almost 100 years.
This denarius is scarce, and particularly scarce with anything other than a horrible obverse. It perhaps depicts pater Lucius, who also ran afoul of Caesar and Antonius (see my post of Cr. 448/3 L. Hostilius Saserna). This specimen shares the weak obverse strike seen on most, yet is a slight bit less worn and less marked than many. On the better-struck coins, whichever Ahenobarbus this is can be seen to sport a scraggly beard, presumably to cue the "red beard" cognomen, but the portraits on almost all dies are quite distinctively coarse. The reverse, which is the main appeal of this specimen, is much more carefully engraved, with distinct waves, "eye", oar box and trophy. The keel and "beak"/rostrum are clear, and the prow-stem is outlined and shows internal beam-structure.
PMah
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Cr 494/36 C. Vibius Varus AR Denarius 42 b.c.e. Rome
o: Head of young Bacchus, wearing wreath of ivy and grapes, hair collected into a knot behind, one lock and fillet of wreath falling down his neck
r: Panther springing left toward garlanded altar surmounted by bacchic mask and thyrsus; C • VIBIVS in exergue, VARVS upward to right.
HCRI 192; Vibia 24
18mm, 4.02 gm, 6h
One of the more active and creative reverses among many in the late Republic, the panther and thyrsus are additional attributes of Bacchus. The specific ritual, if that is what is depicted, is not identified.
Among the group of moneyers who had the distinction of issuing a large variety of both gold and silver coins for the Second Triumvirate (see my Livineius, 494/29), Vibius also was permitted to issue personal family types, including this one, reflecting some themes on earlier coins of the Vibia gens. These personal types were soon to come to an end, as both Antonius and Octavian would soon take full control of the coinage in their spheres. Vibius fades into obscurity.
The particular attraction of this specimen, which is nice in many ways, is the very pleasing "cabinet" toning.
PMah
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Cr 494/29 L. Livineius Regulus AR Denarius42 b.c.e. Rome
o: Head of praetor (?) L. Livineius Regulus right
r: Modius between two ears of corn; above, LIVINEIVS; in exergue, REGVLVS
Livineia 13. HCRI 178
4.00 gm 17.50 mm
As noted with Vibius (494/36), this moneyer is a bit of a non-entity himself, but had some elements of family accomplishments he was permitted to note. On this type, the modius presumably reflects an ancestor whose magistracy involved the grain supply, likely his father as Praetor.
(Some commentators suggest that it is self-advertisement of the moneyer's own future largess, but, frankly, that makes little sense, as it neither comports with the history behind other “corn dole” issues nor was the duty one that could be skipped by any official with the job. "If you elect me, I will do the job the other guy would do" is not the most compelling slogan. Handing out these coins in abundance from one's own stash would be more effective...)
I have to admit I still do not fully follow Crawford's reasons for using one master number for so many moneyers and issues. I understand their role, their "bosses", and Buttrey's article, but still unnecessarily complicated in my view.
This coin is nice, despite the marks, and is often found terribly poorly struck and quite worn. PMah
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Cr 494/23 AR Denarius P. Clodius M.f. Turrinus Rome, 42 BCE
o: Laureate head of Apollo right; lyre behind
r: Diana standing facing, head right, with bow and quiver over shoulder, holding lighted torch in each hand; P•CLODIVS downwards to right, M•F• downwards to left.
Crawford 494/23; Claudia 15.
(3.81g, 17mm, 3h)
Note: Lyre is NOT a die symbolPMah
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Cr 489/6 AR Quinarius M. AntoniusQuinarius, Lugdunum ? 42 BCE 1.78 gm
o: [III·VIR·] R·P·C around head of Victory (with features of Fulvia?)
r: [A]NTONI Lion walking r.; at sides, [A] – XL[I]. In exergue, IMP.
Usually said to be Antony's third wife, Fulvia and as giving his age of 41. The idea that the portrait is Fulvia is a bit of a stretch, and Crawford does not mention or attribute it as such in RRC. Nor is "Victoria" obvious, as the wings, if that is what is visible in FDC examples, are tiny even compared to full statuette forms. In every example I have seen, the portrait is poorly-executed and hardly a tribute to either Victory or Fulvia herself. Fulvia seems to have been a formidable person, and so the non-standard style would be perhaps consistent, but the uninspired portrait would then have been a significant failure.
The attribution of Antony's age as "41", which certainly fits some chronologies, nonetheless does not have a better explanation than that it seems that Julius Caesar put his age at "52" on a coin. There is debate about the dating and meaning of such age references, but, from my perspective, neither age matters as an absolute number -- both Antony and particularly Caesar had already legally been through the cursus, including Consul. Antony was Consul for 44 BCE. (Otherwise, as to Antony, we would have heard from Cicero at excruciating length.) Perhaps these are "birthday" issues, but a sad, lonely and pathetic birthday it would reflect. Antony's later coins with Octavia are more persuasive.
Antonia 32. Sydenham 1163. Sear Imperators 126.PMah
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Cr 479/1 Æ As Sextus Pompey 42-38 BC. Æ As (30mm, 26.45 g, 12h). Uncertain Sicilian mint.
o: Laureate head of Janus with the features of Pompey the Great, MAGN above
r: Prow of quinquereme right, [PI]VS above, IMP below
Crawford 479/1; CRI 336; Sydenham 1044; RPC I 671.PMah
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Cr 479/1 Æ As Sextus Pompey 42-38 B.C.E. (29 mm, 15.92 g, 1 h). Uncertain Sicilian mint.
o: [M]AGN above, laureate head of Janus, with features resembling Pompey the Great
r: PIVS above, IMP in exergue, prow of galley right.
Crawford 479/1; HCRI 336; Sydenham 1044; RPC 671.PMah
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Cr 474/1a L. Valerius Acisculus AR Denarius Rome 45 b.c.e.
o: ACIS[CVLVS] Head of Apollo r., hair tied with band; behind, acisculus (= pickaxe)
r: Europa seated on bull walking r.; in exergue, [L]·VALER[IVS]
This specimen is a variant, as the dies usually have a star above Apollo's forehead. This one clearly does not, as there is ample room in the field up to the border.
Valeria 17 var.; Syd. 998 var.; CRI 90 var.; RBW 1568 (this coin)PMah
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Cr 469/1a AR Denarius Cn. Pompey Minorissued in name of M. Poblicius, legate pro praetore. Corduba, summer 46 - spring 45 b.c.e.
Obv: Helmeted head of Roma to right; M•POBLICI•LEG PRO•PR around
Rev: Female figure -- Hispania -- standing facing, head to right, with round shield slung on back, holding two spears in left hand and with right hand giving palm-branch to soldier, standing facing, head to left on prow of ship; on right CN•MAGNVS•IMP upwards.
Sear CRI 48; RSC 1 (Pompey the Great)
3.49gm, 20mm, 6h.
This coin and its variations and related types with different obverses all reflect hope / support of Further Spain for the Pompeian cause, which had a few setbacks by the time Pompey Junior arrived in Spain. "A few" includes complete defeat at Pharsalus, the murder of Pompey the Great in Egypt, complete defeat along with Scipio and Cato at Thapsus/Utica. But the Pompey lads were nothing if not "optimistic" -- pun intended -- and they seemed to have access to silver in Spain. Things won't get better for Junior.
This specimen is a bit worn but otherwise very well-centered for the type, with all of the key details distinct. I note that the palm-branch held by Hispania is quite a bit longer than other specimens I have seen to date, perhaps a single-die elaboration. The Pompeian soldier appears to hold his helmet at ready in a formal pose, somewhat ironically given Pompey's own final disposition, but clearer specimens show this is the military cloak bunched at the shoulder.
Note unusually tall palm branch, almost double length compared to CoinArchives specimens.PMah
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Cr 467/1 AR Denarius J. Caesaro: COS.TERT.DICT.ITER. Head of Ceres right
r: AVGVR above, PONT.MAX. below. Simpulum, sprinkler, capis and lituus; M in right field
Minted in Africa, c 46 b.c.
3.37 gms; 19.00 mm
This coin is not a beauty and may have been a pendant at some point. Yet it is one of those intensely historical coins, minted on either side of the Battle of Thapsus, which ended the old Republican resistance to Julius Caesar. This type, with "M" ligate in reverse field right, has been said to indicate "Munus" (gift in the sense of obligation); the other variation has "D", presumably "Donativum" (gift in the sense of "here you go, poorer person"). I personally find the distinction between M and D somewhat odd and perhaps there was a more sophisticated distinction being made. As the marks appear on coins of equal value, it seems a very obscure way of distinguishing among soldiers and mere beneficiaries.PMah
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Cr 465/8b C. Considius Paetus AR Sestertius Rome 46 b.c.e
o: [C·CON]SID[IVS] Winged bust of Cupid r.
r: Double cornucopiae set on globe.
10 mm, 0.78 gm Considia 11. Syd. 997b. CRI 81a.
Paetus may have been a Pompeiian general, or a non-entity (more likely current consensus)
These tiny sestertii are very rare, issued for uncertain purpose, almost all poorly struck and in weak preservation. See RBW Collection lots 407 and 408.PMah
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Cr 465/5 C. Considius Paetus AR Denarius Rome 46 b.c.e.
o: Helmeted bust of Minerva to right, wearing aegis
r: Victory driving quadriga to right, holding reins, palm and wreath; C•CONSID[I] in ex.
3.86 gm.
Considia 5PMah
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Cr 463/3 AR Denarius Mn. Cordius Rufus46 BCE
o: Head of Venus right, RVFVS SC behind
r: Cupid on dolphin right; below, MN [ligate] CORDIVS
Crawford 463/3; Cordia 3
3.70g. (2h)
Although this coin is a nice specimen, and the type is very popular, I find it hard to get excited about this issue.
Cordius was presumably a Caesarian minting between the battles of Pharsalus and Munda. The times were rather grim, both for the huge armies and the populace on which they were billeted. Cordius does not seem to be a significant personage.
The coin seems remarkably light-hearted and that seemingly drives its popularity in modern collecting -- "hey, it's a kid on a dolphin, what's not to like?"
It may reflect payment to troops crossing to (or leaving) Africa under the benevolent gaze of Caesar's ancestor Venus and her son Cupid (whose father is Mars). Given that the first part of the Caesarian army was scattered by storms, perhaps these coins were intended to reassure the follow-up troops that they would not end up scattered to the winds and eaten by lions, tigers and bears. Venus also looks vaguely like some of the later coin portraits of Caesar (or Eleanor Roosevelt).PMah
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Cr 462/1a AR/Æ plated Denarius M. Porcius CatoAfrica c. 47-46 b.c.e. (perhaps Sicily)
o: M CATO PRO PR Libertas (or Roma) bust rt, hair in fillet; ROMA (ligate) behind
r: VICTRIX Victoria seated rt, w/patera & palm branch
Syd. 1053 cf.; Porcia 10 cf.
None other than "Cato the Younger", acting pro pratore, either simply to strike coin or slightly earlier in Sicily where he was unsuccessful in securing either the island or its grain supply for the Pompeians.
This is a plated denarius, but highly likely from official dies. Indeed, the strike and preservation is better than typical of specimens of this issue, which is not particularly rare and must have been struck in large quantities to pay the massive numbers of troops with Pompey in Greece, or the vastly-reduced but not insubstantial number that escaped with Scipio and Cato to Africa (where they were reduced to ... none.) Was this part of a plated issue made as a desperate move to stretch out the supply of silver by the besieged remnants in Utica, or was it a few soldiers having fun with odds and ends they found under Cato's (very messy) deathbed?
PMah
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Cr 453/1a AR Denarius L. Plautius Plancus 47 BCE
o: Facing head of Medusa with coiled snake on either side; below, L. PLAVTIVS
r: Aurora flying right, head facing slightly left, holding palm branch and reins in each hand and conducing four horses of the Sun; below, PLANCVS Cr. 453/1a. Plautia 15
(g. 3.82 mm. 18.50)
Several very nice specimens on these galleries, see JayT4 and Carausius for example.
Reasonable minds can differ, slightly, but this reverse is possibly the most artistic of the Republican series. This coin is decent, but some examples are breathtaking. Obviously, an infusion of Greek engravers that year. Perhaps from Alexandria or the aftermath of Pharsalus (speculating a bit here).PMah
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Cr 449/2 C. Vibius C.f. C.n. Pansa Caetronianus 48 b.c.e.. Rome mint.
o: Head of young Bacchus (or Liber) right, wearing ivy-wreath; PA[NSA] downward to left
r: Ceres advancing right, holding a torch in each hand; plow to right; C • VIBIVS • C • F • C • N downward around left
HCRI 21; Vibia 16.
17.5mm, 4.06 gm, 6h
Ah, Pansa. Issuing as a Caesarian moneyer, this relatively hopeful type did not accurately predict Pansa's future retirement to the joys of Bacchus, or even to see many future coming Springs when Ceres returns from the underworld. Pansa was perhaps the unhappiest man in Rome in the year following Caesar’s murder.
As consul in 43, nominally one of the two most important men in the Roman state, he was caught between the factions in Italy and seemingly tried to bring about a reconciliation. Antonius and Octavian would have none of it, and, with Cicero carping at the consuls to do something, Pansa headed out to reinforce Hirtius at Mutina. His raw recruits fell apart when Antonius jumped them; Pansa was mortally wounded, or at least that is what was said after he died unexpectedly -- miraculous to report, Octavian was on hand to pick up the reins.
Pansa’s similar reverse types have two snakes pulling Ceres in what is usually described as a “chariot” but proportioned more like a child’s toy wagon.
This specimen is quite nice, and even better in hand, with wonderful tone. I'd prefer to have the full name on the obverse, of course.PMah
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Cr 448/3 L. Hostilius Saserna AR Denarius 48 b.c.e., Rome
o: Female Gallic head r. with long hair; behind, carnyx
rL L·HOSTILIVS – SASERNA Artemis of Ephesus standing facing, holding spear, w/ r. hand on head of prancing stag.
HCRI 19. Hostilia 4.
3.64 gm.
Issued by an obscure Caesarian moneyer, this type advertises Caesar’s capture of Massilia, an unwanted diversion on his rapid first strike “I go to Spain to fight an army without a general…” against the Pompeians.
Caesar, always quick to turn necessity into virtue, advertises his mercy in addition to his time-consuming victory, the female Gaul not being clearly captive (as on issues reflecting the Gallic War itself), as mostly-friendly-Greek Massilia was spared the usual sack, massacre and enslavement. He also honors their favorite imported Eastern goddess on the reverse (which may be a depiction of the cult statue from the recently non-sacked temple).
Notably, the defense was led by Lucius Domitius Ahenobarbus, who escaped with his son, soon to be Imperator Gnaeus, whose issue Cr. 519/2 is described in this gallery. (Lucius was killed after Pharsalus, supposedly by Antonius himself.)
PMah
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Cr 448/1a AR Denarius L. Hostilius Saserna L. Hostilius Saserna 48 BCE (18mm., 3.67g.)
o: Female head r. (Pietas?), wearing oak wreath
r: L·HOSTILIVS – SASERNA Victory advancing r., holding caduceus and palm branch
Crawford 448/1aPMah
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Cr 448/1a AR Denarius L. Hostilius Saserna Rome, 48 BCE
o: Female head right, wearing laurel wreath
r: Victory walking right, holding trophy over left shoulder and caduceus in right hand; L•HOSTILIVS downwards before, SASERNA upwards behind. Crawford 448/1a; RSC Hostilia 5.
3.90g, 18mm, 10h.PMah
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Cr 444/1a Q. Sicinius & C. Coponius AR Denarius49 b.c.e. Pompeian field mint [or Asian mint?]
o: Apollo hd. rt, III•VIR behind, star below, Q•SICINIVS before
r: Lionskin on Hercules's club, b/t arrow & bow; PR•S•C up lft, C•COPONIVS down rt
3.76gm , 18mm
Sear CRI 3; Sicinia 2
One of the first issues of the Pompeians after "tactically redeploying" completely out of Italy. There is some discrepancy in views as to whether this was a Greek field mint product or minted in Asia, due to some similarities of the lion to Asian issues (more below re lion).
Sicinius was one of the last regular moneyers appointed under the Republic, and probably went down with the rest of the gang. Coponius, as praetor, was likely far more important in finding / extracting the silver and resources for the issue.
Coponius was also adept at surviving, stepping clear of the wreckage of the Pompeian cause and returning to Rome in time to be .... proscribed. In that regard, he was also (how to put this delicately...) well-served, as we are informed by Appian: "The wife of Coponius obtained his safety by yielding herself to Antony, although she had previously been chaste, thus curing one evil with another." Civil Wars IV.vi.40.
Ah, the lion. Well, I have referred to this as the "Bill the Cat" reverse, although the RRC 1b variant with the head facing directly is even more suggestive of the famous feline. Think about it (or look it up) and you will, too. PMah
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Cr 440/1 AR Denarius Q. Sicinius Q. Sicinius. 49 BCE (17mm., 3.83g.
o: FORT – P·R Diademed head of Fortuna Populi Romani r.
r: Palm branch tied with fillet and winged caduceus in saltire; above, wreath. On either side, III – VIR and below, Q·SICINIVS
Sicinia 5. Sydenham 938. Sear Imperators 1. RBW 1555. Crawford 440/1.PMah
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Cr 433/2 AR Denarius M. Junius BrutusAR Denarius 54 bce Rome 4.09 gm 17.5 mm
o: BRVTVS, downwards behind head of L. Iunius Brutus r, border of dots
r: AHALA, downwards behind head of C. Servilius Ahala r, border of dots
Junia 30; Servilia 17; Sydenham 932
This type has always puzzled me. It clearly depicts the two anti-tyrants in the Junia family tree, L. Junius Brutus and C. Servilius Ahala. (Crawford uses the phrase "tyrannicides", but Brutus did not kill Tarquin and Ahala seems to have sucker-stabbed Maelius in anger.) Young Brutus, or whatever his name was when he was a moneyer, clearly chose to put them on his coins at the time when Pompey's prominence in the state was at its peak; Caesar was in Gaul or Britain, and could not help him. This decision as to coinage, therefore, seems to me extremely unhealthy. Roughly the same number of dies have been identified for both of Brutus's moneyer issues, so it is unlikely that this type is an indiscretion that was quickly withdrawn. So, was Brutus being played or deployed by Pompey against Caesar? Pompey was ostentatiously NOT claiming the dictatorship, so why "warn" him, especially when a "warning" from a 30-ish year old aspiring politician who maybe had held a staff officer's post would not likely impress Pompey, "the teenage butcher"? Worth, I think, exploring a bit.PMah
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Cr 428/1 AR Denarius Q. Cassius Longinus Rome 55 b.c.e.
o: Veiled head of Vesta right; Q•CASSIVS downwards to left, VEST upwards to right
r: Curule chair within circular temple of Vesta; urn to left, vota tablet inscribed AC to right
Cassia 9; 4.02 gm, 19 mm, 9h
The issue commemorates the trial, or rather, retrial, in 113 b.c.e., presided over by L. Cassius Longinus Ravilla of three Vestal Virgins. "Condemno" as to two of them, even though they had all been acquitted once already. Ravilla is, as a side note to a side note, essentially the lawyer who first said "Follow the money". Censor in 125 b.c.e.
Quintus was the brother or cousin of the conspirator against Caesar, although Quintus had been a Caesarian appointee. He was so awful as governor of Further Spain that a revolt of both native and Roman troops broke out. He likely perished fleeing the revolt.
His issues as moneyer, however, were fairly successful designs. This specimen is quite nice, retaining the "AC" on the tablet quite well, with the voting urn remaining quite clear.
PMah
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Cr 421/1 AR Denarius M. Nonius Sufenascirca 57- 59 b.c.e., 17.5mm., 3.97gms.
o: SVFENAS – S·C Head of Saturn r.; in l. field, harpa and conical stone
r: PR·L·V·P·F Roma seated l. on pile of arms, holding sceptre and sword, crowned by Victory standing behind her; in exergue, SEX·NONI·. Nonia 1.
The reverse inscription expands as : PR[aetor] L[vdos] V[ictoriae] P[rimus] F[ecit]. Interesting back-story crammed into a busy reverse. The moneyer's father (or grandfather) while Praetor, was the First to "Make" the Games of Victory [of Sulla]. The son's willingness to advertise this on his coins was rather aggressive, considering Sulla's reputation was rapidly declining and his father was a mere partisan despite sponsoring one round of games, and he himself no more popular even though he became praetor, somewhat underlined by this being the first and only "Nonia" issue. Presumably he had faith in Pompey, who was the most enduring and successful of the Sullan partisans and seen as the senior in the power-sharing "First Triumvirate". This bet seemingly did not work out well, but the specifics are not available.PMah
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Cr 415/1 AR Denarius L. Aemilius Lepidus Paullus62 BCE Rome mint
o: Veiled and diademed head of Concord right, PAVLLVS LEPIDVS- CONCORDIA around
r: L. Aemilius Paullus erecting trophy before three captives, PAVLLVS in ex., TE - R above
Crawford 415/1; Aemilia 10
3.99gg. (6h).
The reverse depicts King Perseus of Macedon and his sons, the non-winners at Paullus' victory at Pydna in 168 BCE, which ended the Macedonian dynasty and was not particularly healthy for the enslaved and looted cities, either.
The moneyer was likely engaged in a bit of counter-adoption, as the great general's agnate family technically died out upon his death.
PMah
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Cr 413/1 AR Denarius L. Cassius Longinus63 BCE
o: Bust of Vesta left, kylix behind, backwards S before
r: Citizen dropping tablet inscribed V into cista, LONGIN III V behind.
Crawford 413/1; Cassia 10.
3.85g. (7h)
The backwards S on obverse is a control mark, which collectively spell out Cassius' name across this type.
The reverse harkens back to an ancestor's voting law, where the "V" -- clearly visible on this nice coin -- indicated a positive vote. It is somewhat uncertain whether the money simply honored the presumably popular aspect of the law, which extended secrecy in voting, or also included the ancestor's role in prosecution of Vestal Virgins, as implied by the image of Vesta on the obverse. Apparently three Vestals were accused of being quite naughty for a Vestal, an extremely unhealthy thing to do, both individually and for the Roman state.PMah
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Cr 412/1 AR Denarius Serratus L. Roscius Fabatus Rome, 64 BCE
o: Head of Juno Sospita right, wearing goat-skin headdress; pileus of the Dioscuri surmounted by star behind, L•ROSCI below
r: Female standing right facing serpent; [control mark in left field], FABATI in ex
Crawford 412/1; Roscia 3
(3.82g, 19mm, 4h) bankers marks
I should add that I am rather fond or appreciative of bankers' marks. They show the extremely practical nature of any ancient transaction. Imagine if even a small portion of our transactions had to undergo human scrutiny at the level of negating the value of the transaction for every participant, plus the prior and succeeding transactions!PMah
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Cr 407/2 AR Denarius C. Hosidius C.f. Geta64 BCE
o: Diademed abd draped bust of Diana right with bow and quiver at shoulder, GETA before, III VIR behind
r: Calydonian Boar standing right, wounded by spear and attacked by dog, C HOSIDI [C F] in ex
Crawford 407/2; Hosidia 1.
3.52g. (6h)
A beautiful coin depicting a very narrow aspect of the Calydonian Boar myth. Oddly, the hero of the story is a strong woman, which must have been well known to the Romans, and the losers are a bunch of chest-thumping pseudo-Alpha-males.
Interesting to speculate what lesson the Romans drew from the story or the limited focus of this coin.PMah
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Cr 405/2 AR Denarius M. Plaetorius CestianusM. Plaetorius M. f. Cestianus
Rome mint c. 69 BCE
Draped female bust r. (Fortuna?); behind, [control symbol]
M PLAETORI CEST S·C around half-length boy? girl? facing on tablet inscribed SORS.
20mm, 3.49 gm
Plaetoria 10
A fascinating type among this varied issue with four main types of denarii. There are multiple theories as to the unique figure on the reverse, clearly a reference to divination by lots "SORS", but no agreement as to exactly what it signifies. Even on nicely preserved specimens, of which there are not many, the gender of the reverse figure is difficult to say. Crawford cites reason to think it refers to the origin of the moneyer's adoptive gens, expanded greatly by Michael Harlan. To me, given that the moneyership is an electoral stepping-stone, it seems a rather obscure reference; although the "S C" indicates a special issue perhaps unconnected with regular duties. Crawford notes that Cestianus became Praetor c. 64 BCE, so perhaps he was right to trust in luck.
This type is deemed rare and this specimen's condition is not unusual for the type.PMah
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Cr 401/1 AR Denarius Mn. Aquillius Mn.f. Mn.no: VIRTVS - III VIR Helmeted and draped bust of Virtus to right, with large head
r: MN F MN N / MN AQVIL / SICIL. Mn. Aquilius (Cos. 101) raising fallen Sicily
65 BCE Denarius Serratus (19 mm, 3.82 g, 6 h), Rome.
Babelon (Aquilia) 2. Crawford 401/1. Sydenham 798. Toned and struck on a broad flan.
This coin is somewhat unintentionally ironic. The moneyer's honored grandfather was accused of fleecing the people of Sicily, when he was governor of the province after the slave revolts. He later managed to antagonize Mithridates VI of Pontus, leading to widespread slaughter of Romans in Asia.
As Wikipedia summarizes the aftermath: "Mithridates defeated Aquillius in 88 near Protostachium. Aquillius was attempting to make his way back to Italy and managed to make it to Lesbos, where he was delivered to Mithridates by the inhabitants of Mytilene. After being taken to the mainland, he was then placed on a donkey and paraded back to Pergamon. On the trip, he was forced to confess his supposed crimes against the peoples of Anatolia. Aquillius's father, the elder Manius Aquillius, was a former Roman governor of Pergamon and was hated for the egregious taxes that he imposed. It was generally thought that Manius Aquillius the younger would follow in the footsteps of his father as a tax profiteer and was hated by some of the local peoples."
Grandpa was thereafter killed by Mithridates by having molten gold poured down his throat. PMah
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Cr 393/1b AR Denarius Cn. Cornelius LentulusSpain (?) 76-75 BCE 3.62gm. 17 mm.
o: Draped bust of the Genius Populi Romani r., hair tied with band and sceptre over shoulder; above, [G·P·R]
r: Sceptre with wreath, globe and rudder; EX – S·C. Below, [LE]NT [monogram NT] CVR * FL.
Cornelia 55; Sydenham 752a; Crawford 393/1b.
This nice and beautifully toned but not spectacular example of this type illustrates a few of the conundrums that come with it. One is the use of the office title on the reverse, Curator [* = for Denarii] Flandorum, which is uncommon even though, theoretically, the vast majority of the moneyers held a variation on that title -- especially the majority who did not strike Bronze and certainly not Gold. Another, the very tight flan, which cuts off the almost certain "LE" on rev. and part of the L -- tight flans are common, but the main elements of the obverse and reverse design are mostly present, so this flan/blank could be the runt of the mint, although it is a full 17 MM. The "Genius" head could be any lesser male diety, so the loss of the GPR is unfortunate. From Lentulus's perspective, of course, the key element of his full name was obscured. Good thing that there was almost always a Cornelius on the ballot, so, as is known, he moved ahead. The Spanish mint attribution is based in part on the "1a" type, which has "Q" for Quaestor instead of "Curator...", suggesting a non-standard appointment. Andrew McCabe illustrates a nice "1a".
PMah
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Cr 393/1a AR Denarius Cn. Lentulus76 or 75 BCE
o: Diademed bust of the Genius of the Roman People right, scepter over shoulder, GPR above
r: Scepter with wreath, globe, and rudder, EX - SC across field, CN LEN Q below
(Spanish mint?)
Crawford 393/1a; Cornelia 54
3.97gg. (5h).
PMah
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Cr 392/1b AR Denarius L. Farsuleius Mensor76 BCE
o: Draped bust of Liberty right wearing stephane and pearl necklace, cap of liberty and SC behind, MENSOR before
r: Roma or male warrior in biga right, assisting togate figure to mount, control number XXCIX below horses, L FARSVLEI in ex
Crawford 392/1b; Farsuleia 2.
3.92gg. (4h)
Each control numeral in this issue appears on only one reverse die
This coin is in splendid condition for the type and nicely struck
Update: I recommend Yarrow, L., Romulus’ Apotheosis (RRC 392), AJN Second Series 30 (2018) pp. 145–161, for an interesting discussion of the reverse as depicting the ascension of Romulus, aided by Mars, and a discussion as to why this type appears in the mid-70s.PMah
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Cr 391/1b AR Denarius C. Egnatius Cn. F. Cn. N. Maxsumus AR Serrate Denarius. Rome, 75 BC. 3.60gm, 19mm, 8h.
o: Diademed and draped bust of Venus, right, with Cupid perched on shoulder; IIII below
r: Libertas in biga left, crowned by flying Victory; behind, pileus; C•EGNATIVS•CN•F CN•N in exergue
This moneyer is postulated by Crawford to be among the populares and referenced by Cicero, Ad Atticum, although I have not yet matched the cite; if so, he presumably gained in importance without leaving a clear record among the top magistracies. The type has one die per control number among a total of 8, this one being IIII, and so is scarcer.
This coin is not a beauty, but is reasonably well-centered for the type and retains serrations.PMah
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Cr 390/1 AR Denarius L. Lucretius Trio Rome, 74 BCE
o: Radiate head of Sol right
r: Crescent moon surrounded by seven stars; TRIO above, L•LVCRETI below
Crawford 390/1; Lucretia 2.
(3.85g, 16mm, 12h)PMah
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Cr 389/1 AR Denarius L. Rustius74 BCE
o: Helmeted head of Minerva or Mars right, SC behind, star (value mark) below chin
r: Ram standing right, L RVSTI in ex
Crawford 389/1. Rustia 1
3.86g. (5h)PMah
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Cr 387/1 AR Denarius L. Rutilius FlaccusRome mint, circa 77 b.c.e.
FLAC Helmeted head of Roma r.
Victory in fast-moving biga r., holding reins and wreath; in ex, L·RVTILI
Rutilia 1
A decent strike suffering from a crowded reverse. Speaking of the reverse, this moneyer, who was a bit of a non-entity, used a generic reverse during a period when his predecessors and successors came up with unique design concepts (or, at least, had good decorators). Compare Crawford 370 through 400 types to this one, and most win, hands-down. Perhaps I am influenced by negative association in American English of the word "Flack" to connote a shameless publicity agent, and any other association is even less of an endorsement.PMah
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Cr 386/1 AR Denarius L. Cassius Q. f. Longinus Rome, 78 BCE
o: Head of Liber (or Bacchus) right, wearing ivy wreath; thyrsus over shoulder
r: Head of Liber left, wearing vine wreath; L•CASSI•Q•F behind
Crawford 386/1; RSC Cassia 6.
(3.88g, 14mm, 9h)
An unusual type, with heads on both sides there is some dispute as to the identity of the images. If both are manifestations of Bacchus, then this moneyer apparently really liked to have a good time and wanted his future constituents to know it.PMah
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Cr 383/1 AR Denarius Ti. Claudius Ti.f.Ap.n.Neroo: Bust of Diana r., bow and quiver over shoulder, S C before
r: Victory in biga r., CXXXXV below; TI CLAVD TI F / AP N in ex
This type is one of the issues that have a large number of control numbers on both obverse and reverse dies, and per Crawford, “each control-mark has only one die.” Thus, each of them was struck from only a single reverse die. These types are quite useful for numismatic statistical analysis.
This particular coin I find to be enjoyable because Diana's quiver clearly has a cover on it. In modern times, archery quivers are open-topped sort of things, mostly for carrying the arrows from the garage to the back-yard range. In ancient times, and all times when arrows were weapons or tools, it was extremely important to keep the "fletches"/feathers/vanes protected, and to keep the shaft dry and point protected. PMah
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Cr 383/1 AR Denarius Ti. Claudius Ti. f. Ap. n. Nero 79 BCE
o: Draped bust of Diana right, bow and quiver on shoulder; before chin, SC
r: Victory in prancing biga right, palm-branch and reins in left hand and wreath in right; below horses, LXI. In exergue, TI. CLAVD. TI. F/AP. N.
Cr. 383/1 (g. 4.20 mm. 18.50) -- relatively heavy for typePMah
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Cr 383/1 AR Denarius Ti. Claudius Ti. f. Ap. n. Nero Rome, 79 BCE
o: Draped bust of Diana right, bow and quiver on shoulder; before chin, SC
r: Victory in prancing biga right, holding palm-branch and reins in left hand and wreath in right; below horses, A. XXII. In exergue, TI. CLAVD. TI. F/AP. N. [ligate AV]
3.95 gms 19.00 mm
This series uses one-die control numerals, slightly fewer with the "A" prefix as in this example than without the prefix. Although this example has a rather worn obverse, the reverse is somewhat sharper, with crisp leaves on the palm frond, and is well-centered for the type.
The "S.C." tells us that this issue is perhaps a supplemental issue, although the specific reason is not immediately apparent. Ti. Claudius Ti. f. Ap. n. Nero was likely the great-grandfather of Emperor Claudius, grandfather of Emperor Tiberius, and so up the chain of Claudii, and may have been the fellow who opposed Cicero's immediate execution of the Catalinarian conspirators on the somewhat reasonable grounds that perhaps the facts should be uncovered first. My un-posted gallery of my Julio-Claudian collection will eventually include some coins associated with these ancestors as well.
PMah
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Cr 382/1a AR Denarius C. Naevius Balbus79 BCE Denarius Serratus (18 mm, 3.65 g, 6 h), Rome.
o: S C Diademed head of Venus right; before, E
r: C.NAE.BALB Victory driving galloping triga right, holding reins
Crawford 382/1a. Sydenham 769
Much nicer in hand; toned.PMah
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Cr 380/1 AR Denarius C. POBLICIUS Q.F.80 b.c.e. 3.8 gm.; 18 mm.
o: ROMA. Helmeted and draped bust of Roma right; F above.
r: C POBLICI Q F. Hercules standing left, wrestling the Nemean Lion; club below, quiver with bow and arrows to left, F above.
I. for one, feel that the Nemean Lion got a raw deal. Apart from having a demi-god out to get him, his skin became Hercules's "look". But Hercules was so...dense that he needed Athena to explain how to skin the poor lion -- which, in the typical way, makes the protagonist seem like a dim-wit. If you need a top-notch goddess to help you, then perhaps your accomplishment is at least 2nd rate.
A few elements of the inscription are weak, but the banker's marks are strong lettering. The serration looks entirely original to me.
PMah
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Cr 379/2 AR Denarius L. Procilius 80 BCE
o: Head of Juno Sospita right, wearing goat's skin; SC behind
r: Juno Sospita in biga right, hurling spear and holding shield; serpent below, L PROCILI F in ex.
Crawford 379/2; RSC Procilia 2
Serrate Denarius
3.92g. (8h).PMah
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Cr 366/4 AR Denarius C. Annius Cr 366/4C. Annius. Denarius North-Italy and Spain 82-81, AR 18mm., 3.63g.
C·ANNIVS·T·F·T·N· PRO·COS·EX·S·C Diademed and draped female bust r.
Rev. Victory in quadriga r., holding reins and palm branch; above horses, XXXXVI and below, Q. In exergue, C·TARQVITI·P·F. Babelon Annia 1. Sydenham 749. Crawford 366/4.
Banker's marks on obv. and rev., PMah
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Cr 366/4 AR Denarius C. Annius North-Italy and Spain 82-81 BCE
(18mm., 3.63g.)
o: C·ANNIVS·T·F·T·N· PRO·COS·EX·S·C Diademed and draped female bust
r: Victory in quadriga r., holding reins and palm branch; above horses, XXXXVI and below, Q. In exergue, C·TARQVITI·P·F.
Annia 1; Crawford 366/4
An unusual issue as proconsul; also, bankers seemed to be somewhat dubious of this coin given all the marks.
Banker's marks on obv. and rev., PMah
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Cr 364/1b AR Denarius Serratus Q. Antonius Balbus Rome, 82 BCE (3.71g, 20mm, 11h)
o: Laureate head of Jupiter right; S•C behind, O below
r: Victory driving quadriga right, holding reins, wreath, and palm frond; Q•ANTO•BALB PR in two lines in ex
Crawford 364/1b. Antonia 1a
Banker's mark near chin obverse
Striking as Praetor, he was a Marian who was slain after the Sullan victory.PMah
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Cr 354/1 AR Denarius C. Licinius L.f. Macer 84 BC. (20mm, 3.60 g, 6h). Rome mint.
Diademed bust of Vejovis left, drapery on left shoulder, hurling thunderbolt
Minerva, holding spear, shield, and reins, driving galloping quadriga right, [C] LICINIVS [L F] MACER in ex
Crawford 354/1; Sydenham 732; Licinia 16; RBW 1355PMah
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Cr 353/1a AR Denarius Mn. Fonteius C.f. Rome, 85 b.c.e.
o: Laureate head of Apollo Veiovis r.; below, thunderbolt; behind, MN FONTEI C F; before, monogram of ROMA
r: Winged figure on goat r.; above, pilei of the Dioscuri; in exergue, thyrsus; laurel wreath as border
19.5 mm., 3.73 gm.PMah
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Cr 352/1b AR Denarius L. Julius BursioRome, 85 BCE
o: Laureate, winged, and draped bust of Apollo Vejovis right; to left, trident above bow
r: Victory driving galloping quadriga right, holding reins and wreath; EX • A • P in ex.
Sydenham 729; Julia 6; Type as RBW 1348
(18.5mm, 4.04 g, 10h)
From the Andrew McCabe Collection.
I have noted some of my other coins whose types bear a variation on the indication of "from the Public Silver", usually interpreted to mean an issue that required a supplementary grant of authority from the Senate outside the normal annual authorization, as all of the coining metal was "public", including the precious metals from time to time appropriated from the temples of the state religion.
Since this coin is ex McCabe, I will quote his notes on the relative rarity of this type directly:
"The British Museum collection has 115 examples of RRC 352/1a or 352/1c with moneyers name L. IVLI BVRSIO, but just 4 examples with EX A. P. Crawford in RRC, p. 605, says that this issue was struck from money left to the Roman people by Ptolemy Alexander I of Egypt, which probably arrived at Rome in 86 BC. Given the rarity of the EX A. P. issue, perhaps the bequest was modest! "
As with the other 3 coins posted in this group, the coin is much better in hand, although the photos of the silver coins are clearer than the bronze.
PMah
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Cr 352/1 AR Denarius L. Iulius Bursio85 bce; 3.83 gms; 20.50 mm
o: Male head right, with attributes of Apollo (youthful head), Mercury (winged headress) and Neptune (trident); behind, rudder.
r: Victory in quadriga right; above, numeral [xv??]; in exergue, L. IVLI. BVRSIO
This is an odd type, combining attributes of three gods on the obverse with an extremely mundane reverse. The rudder die mark is fairly rare, and I have not seen another published example. Any Republican type with a wide variety of die marks and numbers will end up representlng a large issue. I will update this posting soon, when I retrieve my Crawford set.
This coin, despite the deposits, is in excellent condition.
PMah
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Cr 350B/3d AE Quadrans Anonymous c. 100 - 80 B.C. Bronze quadrans (Rome mint, 86 B.C.E.?)(2.082g, 16.1mm, die axis 90o) ;
O: head of Hercules right clad in Nemean Lion scalp headdress, three pellets behind
R: prow of galley right, ROMA (MA ligate) above, three pellets right(?), head of Venus decorating top of acrostolium(?)
cf. Crawford 350B/3d (possibly unofficial copy)
ex RBW CollectionPMah
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Cr 350B/1 AE Semis Anonymous86 b.c.e. 5.89 gms 21.50 mm
o: Laureate head of Saturn right; behind, S
r: ROMA. Prow left; before, S.
Prow - left are always scarcer than Prow- right.
Although this coin's best days are behind it, the reverse still shows considerable detailing at the water-line, the rostrum, and on the main-deck. The superstructure seems to have been neglected. nicer color than photo.PMah
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Cr 350A/2 "Gargilius, Ogulnius & Vergilius"86 BCE
o: Laureate head of Apollo (Vejovis?) right, thunderbolt below
r: Jupiter in quadriga right, hurling thunderbolt and holding reins
Crawford 350A/2. RSC Anonymous 226.
3.84gg. (4h)
My view is this: Although in many respects this coin is boring and cold, it has an interesting virtue of being anepigraphic in an era of relative verbosity. The obverse is sometimes attributed as "Vejovis" and sometimes as "Apollo Vejovis" and sometimes just "Apollo". Vejovis seems to have been one of the most ancient gods, among the group that the Romans themselves often got confused as to origin-story and attributes. The fragmented sources do not make it much better and his odd name implying something like "un-Jupiter" is no help. (The anti-Jupiter implication --- darkest, weakest, least interested in nymphs -- being somewhat also at odds with the frequent association with Apollo.) Given the relative infrequency of Vejovis on coins, this ambiguity seems to extend to moneyers.
On the other hand, there is no equivalent Roman practice of the modern minting practice of issuing coins in a series simply to sell coins as "collect them all", so we can presume the moneyers expected a meaningful message to be conveyed.
This coin is much better in hand than the photo.PMah
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Cr 350/3e AE As Vergilius / Gargilius / Ogulnius c. 86 BC, AE As of moneyers Vergilius, Gargilius & Ogulnius 26 mm, 11.86 grams.
O: Laureate bust of Janus.
R: GAR.OGVL.VER above prow l.
Crawford 350/3e
Ex. RBW CollectionPMah
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Cr 348/4 L. Rubrius Dossenus Quinariuso: Head of Neptune right, DOSSEN & trident behind
r: Victory walking right, [serpent entwined around altar before], L RVBRI behind
This type has an ambitious design for the quinarius -- Neptune's head is detailed and intense; Victory is rather robust, half-draped, with gigantic wings and flamboyant fronds, approaching a post-altar that has busy design as well.
2.00 gms; 14.00 mm
PMah
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Cr 348/1 AR Denarius L. Rubrius Dossenus3.26 gms 19.00 mm
o: Laureate head of Jupiter right, sceptre over shoulder, DOSSEN behind
r: Triumphal quadriga rt decorated with thunderbolt, Victory above; RVBRI in ex.
Jupiter's thunderbolt, in the Roman style, is remarkably clear on this otherwise weak reverse strike. The nice centering helps. PMah
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Cr 346/1a AR Denarius C. Marcius CensorinusRome 88 b.c.e.
o: Jugate heads of Numa Pompilius, beard & diadem, & Ancus Marcius, rt; R [control mk] below
r: C. CENSO in ex., Desultor on one of two horses galloping rt, conical cap, whip rt hnd; III [control mk] below
3.82 gm
A very ambitious issue, keying on the purported descent of the moneyer's gens from two kings of Roma. This did him no good in the struggle against Sulla, where he chose the wrong side. PMah
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Cr 345/2 AR Quinarius Cn. Cornelius Lentulus Clodianus o: Laureate head of Jupiter right
r: Victory standing right, crowning trophy with laurel-wreath
Cr. 345/2. Cornelia 51 (g. 2.12 mm. 13.00)
Nice weight for a quinarius
Say what you will about the Cornelii, but they managed to mint a tremendous number of types. I think more than any other gens. Marcii and Calpurnii are distant 2nds, I think.PMah
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Cr 345/1 AR Denarius Cn. Lentulus Clodianus88 b.c.e. 3.80 gm; 18.50 mm
o: Helmeted bust of Mars, seen from behind, head right
r: Victory in biga right; in exergue, CN. LENTVL
A very typical presentation of "head and horses".... except that view is slightly over the should of Mars. This view, which I have flagged on other coins, is not common. Question: Why, and why did this view end PMah
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Cr 344/4a AE As L. Titurius L.f. Sabinus Rome, 89 BC. (31mm, 11.94g, 9h)
o: Laureate head of Janus
r: Prow right, L TITVRI L F above, [SABINVS] below, I before
Crawford 344/4a; RBW 1304PMah
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Cr 344/3 AR Denarius L. Titurius L.f. Sabinus 89 BCE. Rome
o: Bearded head of King Tatius right, SABIN behind
r: Victory in Biga right, bearing wreath, L TITVRI below, grain ear in exergue
(18mm., 3,86g)
Sydenham 700; Crawford 344/3PMah
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Cr 342/5a AR Denarius C. Vibius C. f. Pansa90 BC. 3.88 gms 18.00 mm
O: Head of Apollo right, laureate.
R: Minerva in quadriga right; holding reins, spear and trophy; above, flying Victoria; C VIBIVS CF in ex.
I cannot quite make out the control mark before chin.PMah
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Cr 340/4 AR As L. Calpurnius Piso Frugi90 BC.
O: Head of Janus, laureate.
R: L PISO, prow right, with Victory standing right, palm branch over shoulder, FRVGI
11.31 gms; 28.00 mm
(You have to use your imagination to find most of the reverse inscription on this coin, a relatively late bronze which would have seen a lot of circulation. Victoria is very clear.)PMah
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Cr 340/4 Æ As L. Calpurnius L.f. L.n. Piso Frugi 90 B.C.E. (27.43 mm, 13.84 g, 5 h). Rome mint.
o: Laureate head of bearded Janus; I above
r: L PISO / FRVGI, prow of galley right, on which stands Victory right, holding palm frond.
Crawford 340/4
Ex RBW CollectionPMah
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Cr 340/1 AR Denarius L. Calpurnius Piso FrugiRome, 90 b.c.e.
o: Laureate head of Apollo right, CXII behind
r: L PISO FRVGI / ROMA below horseman galloping right w/palm, CXXXVIII above
3.98 gms
This nice but not great specimen considerably raises the digits of the one-die-per-control number for this issue in my galleryPMah
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Cr 340/1 AR Denarius L. Calpurnius Piso Frugic. 90 BCE, Rome, 19mm, 3.87gm.
o: Laureate head of Apollo r.; behind, control numeral X(?)
r: Horseman galloping r., w/palm branch; below, L PISO FRVGI / ROMA [mono]; above, XVII
Calpurnia 12. Sydenham 661.
This type, presumably struck at the height of the Social War, is overall common, with nearly 1000 dies each side, and seemingly one control number per die. It is an odd type, if the dating is right, as it speaks neither to the Social War, nor much to the loyalty of the legions. The war was quite intense, and it hardly seems that the legions would be distracted by the Games of Apollo ("home before the leaves fall" as they said in 1914) , or that the Italians would be bought off by a nostalgic sense that they would be cut off from the really cool games in Rome. Perhaps it reflects the blindness/stupidity/narcissism of the Roman Senatorial class that fostered the resentment among the Socii.
As a collecting type, I had not been enthusiastic about it until I learned of some rare variations and also came to appreciate the simplicity of the design. This one, among several I now have, has nice toning and strike. I will not seek all of the variants suggested by Crawford's two pages of control marks...PMah
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Cr 340/1 AR Denarius L. Piso Frugi90 b.c.e. Rome Mint
Laureate head of Apollo r.; behind, control numeral V XXXXI
Horseman galloping r., holding palm branch; below, L PISO FRVGI / ROMA in monogram; above, control numeral CXVII
18mm 3.96 gm
Calpurnia 12
It is difficult to get overly-excited about this type, or its quinarius, with the nearly unlimited combinations of control numerals. (I may be mis-reading the obverse control number as having a prefix "V", but perhaps not. I need to research the combinations a bit.)
PMah
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Cr 340/1 AR Denarius L. Calpurnius Piso Frugi 90 BCE
o: Laureate head of Apollo r.; behind, *·
r: Horseman galloping r., holding whip in upraised r. hand; below, L·PISO·FRVGI/XV
18mm, 3.92g.
Calpurnia 11; Crawford 340/1PMah
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Cr 340/1 AR Denarius L. Calpurnius Piso Frugi90 BCE Rome mint
o: Laureate head of Apollo to right; behind, inverted anchor; below chin, B
r: L PISO FRVGI Jockey riding galloping horse to right, holding palm branch; above, D; Below, star
Crawford 340/1; Calpurnia 11
(17 mm, 3.76 g, 12 h)
PMah
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Cr 339/?? AE Sextans Anonymous/unofficial?An odd coin, seemingly a late Sextans, but none are identified by Crawford among his No. 339 group of late bronze. He speculated that the lower denominations may be unofficial; McCabe seems to have found an official quadrans, posted on his site.
c. 91 BC (?)
o: Head of Mercury right; above, ROMA; below, two pellets
r: Prow right; above, ROMA; below, two pellets
1.77 gm 14.50 mm
Time to put this on the research list.
PMah
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Cr 339/2 AE Semis AnonymousRome, 91 BCE
o: Laureate head of Saturn right; behind, S
r: Prow right; above, S; below, ROMA
9.67 gm 24.00 mm
If my identification of the type as a late Semis grouped by Crawford under 339 is correct, then the coin is relatively rarer. It is not a great example and perhaps I need more research. PMah
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Cr 337/3 AR Denarius D. Silanus L.f. 91 BCE
o: Helmeted head of Roma right; behind, C
r: Victory in biga right; in exergue, D. SILANVS L.F/ROMA
Cr. 337/3; Junia 15
(g. 3.93 mm. 17.50)
Crisp strike, nice tonePMah
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Cr 337/3 AR Denarius D. Iunius Silanus L.f. D. Iunius Silanus L.f.91 BCE (17.5mm., 3.78g)
o: Helmeted head of Roma r.; behind N
r: Victory in biga r., holding palm-branch and reins in l. hand and whip in r.; above IVI. D·SILANVS·L·F / ROMA in ex.
Junia 15. Sydenham 646. Crawford 337/3
This coin has much nicer toning than shown in this photo.PMah
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Cr 337/3 AR Denarius D. Silanus L.f.91 BCE , Rome.
o: Helmeted head of Roma to right; behind R
r: D SILANVS L F / ROMA Victory in biga to right, holding reins in both hands; above, VI
Crawford 337/3. Sydenham 646
(19 mm, 3.51 g, 3 h)
Nice coin with a bit of stretched flanPMah
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Cr 335/9 AR Denarius A. Albinus Sp. f. Rome, c. 96 BCE
o: Diademed and draped bust of Diana right, bow and quiver on shoulder; below, ROMA
r: Three horsemen galloping left; before, fallen warrior; in exergue, A. ALBINVS S.F.
[This example has AL ligate.]
3.87 gm 18.50 mm
The odd items on the reverse above left of the riders are likely standards, but the left-most one looks almost like a modius! There are a few possible interpretations of the reverse, none of which are particularly stronger than the others, and all relating to the Postumia gens' tendency to get killed in battles important to Rome. Crawford associates the types of three moneyers for the same year.
PMah
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Cr 335/3f AR Denarius Malleolus, Albinus & MetellusRome, 96 BCE . AR Denarius
issue of C. Malleolus, A. Albinus Sp.f., and L. Caecilius Metellus
o: Helmeted head of Mars right; mallet above, mark of value below chin
r: Warrior standing left, right foot on cuirass, holding spear and leaning on tabella divided into two compartments, in one CM/(AL) in two lines, in the other a Π, retrograde and sideways; trophy in left field.
Sydenham 615b; Poblicia 8; Type as RBW 1205
18.5mm, 3.91 gms.
This coin is not a beauty, but the key details are quite clear. The placement of the mallet (= "Malleus") above the head of Mars is a bit comical to modern eyes, and reflects either a difference sensibility towards slapstick comedy in ancient times or an engraver not particularly well informed about divine sensitivities. ("Malleolus", by the way, is the medical term for the part of your ankle that sticks out.)
From the Andrew McCabe Collection. McCabe's notes as to this coin include: "This variety with the voting tablet inscribed C. MAL is quite a lot scarcer than that with a prow."
As with the other 3 coins posted in this group, the coin is much better in hand.PMah
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Cr 335/1b AR Denarius Caecilius / Postumius /Poblicius L. Caecilius Metellus, A. Postumius S.f. Albinus, C. Poblicius Malleolus, late 90s BCE (19 mm, 3.90 g, 10 h).
o: A-ALB.S.F / L. METEL Laureate head of Apollo to right; below neck, star
r: C.MALL / ROMA Roma seated left, crowned by Victory
Babelon (Caecilia) 46, (Poblicia) 3, (Postumia) 3. Crawford 335/1b. Sydenham 611a. PMah
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Cr 335/1a AR Denarius C. Malleolus, A. Albinus Sp.f., and L. Caecilius Metellus96 BCE Rome mint
o: L. METEL A. ALB. S. F Laureate head of Apollo to right
r: C. MALL / ROMA Roma seated left on pile of shields, holding spear and parazonium, being crowned by Victory standing behind
Crawford 335/1a
(19 mm, 3.72 g, 4 h)PMah
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Cr 334/1 AR Denarius L. Pomponius Molo L. Pomponius Molo, 97 BCE Denarius (20 mm, 3.81 g, 6 h), Rome.
L.POMPON.MOLO Laureate head of Apollo to right.
NVMA POMPIL Numa standing before altar, sacrificing. Babelon (Pomponia) 6. Crawford 334/1. Sydenham 607.PMah
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Cr 333/1 AR Quinarius C. Egnatuleius C.f. 97 BCE
o: Laureate head of Apollo right; below, Q; behind, C. EGNATVLEI. C. F.
r: Victory left inscribing shield attached to trophy; beside trophy, carnix; between Victory and trophy, Q; in exergue, ROMA.
Cr. 333/1
(g. 1.90 mm. 16.00 )PMah
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Cr 332/1b AR Quinarius T. Cloelius 98 BCE
o: Laureate head of Jupiter right; below, S and dot
r: Victory right, crowning trophy; before trophy, captive; beside, carnyx; between Victory and trophy, T. CLOVLI; in exergue, Q.
Cr. 332/1b; Cloelia 2 (g. 1.83 mm. 15.00)PMah
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Cr 329/1b AR Denarius P. Cornelius Lentulus M.f. Rome, 100 BCE
o: Bust of Hercules right, seen from behind, holding club, shield in left field, K below pellet in right field, ROMA below
r: Roma standing facing, holding spear and wearing triple-crested helmet, Genius of the Roman People right crowning her and holding cornucopiae, K below pellet in left field, LENT•MAR•F in ex, all within laurel-wreath
Crawford 329/1b; Cornelia 25a
(3.94g, 20mm, 12h)
A somewhat busy design.
PMah
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Cr 328/1 AR Denarius P. Servilius Rullus Rome, 100 BCE
o: Cuirassed bust of Minerva left, wearing crested Corinthian helmet; RVLLI upwards behind
r: Victory driving fast biga right, holding palm and reins; P below horses, [P]•SERVILI•M•F in ex
Crawford 328/1; RSC Servilia 14.
(3.92g, 17mm, 4h.)
Although this is a "head/Victory-in-biga" type, I think the style of the reverse of this coin is very dynamic.
PMah
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Cr 327/1 AR Denarius M. Servilius C.f. 100 BCE
o: Helmeted head of Roma right; behind, Z
r: Two warriors, a Roman and a barbarian fighting on foot, each with a horse behind him; in exergue, M. SERVEILI. C. F / T
Cr. 327/1. Servilia 13
(g. 3.93 mm. 21.50)PMah
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Cr 325/1b AR Denarius L. Sentius C.f.Rome, 101 BCE
o: Helmeted head of Roma right; behind, ARG * PVB [ligate AR]
r: Jupiter in quadriga right, holding thunderbolt and reins in left hand and sceptre in right hand; below, [control mark] H; in exergue, L.SENTI C.F.
Sentia 1 3.93 gm 21.00 mm
This is a pretty coin despite the weak strike on the important left side of the obverse (also affecting Jupiter on reverse). There, the coin proclaims that it is made from Public Silver, ARGentvm PVBlicvm, although the specific reasons are elusive; several nearly contemporaneous issues use the formula.PMah
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Cr 324/5b AR Denarius C. Vibius C.f. Pansa 90 B.C.E. (16.5 mm, 3.70 g, 6 h). Rome mint.
o: PANSA, laureate head of Apollo right, liitus below chin
r: C·VIBIVS·CF, Minerva driving quadriga right, holding reins and spear.
Crawford 324/5bPMah
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Cr 324/1 AR Denarius M. Lucilius Rufus o: Helmeted head of Roma right; PV to left; all within laurel wreath
r: Victory driving galloping biga right, holding whip and reins
M. Lucilius Rufus. 101 BC. AR Denarius (18.5mm, 3.93 g, 9h). Rome mint. Helmeted head of Roma right; PV to left; all within laurel wreath / Victory driving galloping biga right, holding whip and reins. Crawford 324/1; Sydenham 599; Lucilia 1. PMah
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Cr 322/1b AR Denarius C. Fabius C.f. Hadrianus 102 BCE AR Denarius C. Fabius C.f. Hadrianus, Rome, (21mm, 3.94g, 10h)
o: EX•A•PV behind veiled & turreted bust of Cybele right
r: C•FABI•C•F, victory in biga right; D• and stork below
Crawford 322/1b; cf. RBW 1177; RSC Fabia 14. Rare?PMah
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Cr 321/1 AR Denarius L. Cassius Caecianus 102 BCE Rome mint
o: Draped bust of Ceres left, wearing wreath of grain ears; A[•] to upper right
r: Two yoked oxen pulling plow left; X• above
(17mm, 3.96 g, 6h)
Crawford 321/1; Sydenham 594; Cassia 4; RBW 1176 var. (controls)PMah
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