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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 type1 commentsPMah10/08/22 at 00:35Virgil H: Beautiful coin and portrait of Diana

Cr 39/2 Æ Quadrans Collateral Semi-Libral Seriesc. 217-215 b.c.e.
o: Head of Hercules right, wearing boar-skin; three pellets behind
r: Bull charging right; three pellets above, snake below, ROMA in ex.
37.81 gm
purportedly ex PNC collection. ex Vecchi Auction 3, lot 56 (1996) (not verified by me)
AKA, the "Anomalous Anonymous Series", which I particularly like. All the types are scarce, and the quadrans seems a bit scarcer than the lower denominations.2 commentsPMah04/18/22 at 01:27PMah: Grazie, Carausius! I have Vecchi 3 in deep storag...

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)2 commentsPMah04/06/22 at 15:22shanxi: beautiful

Cr 39/2 Æ Quadrans Collateral Semi-Libral Seriesc. 217-215 b.c.e.
o: Head of Hercules right, wearing boar-skin; three pellets behind
r: Bull charging right; three pellets above, snake below, ROMA in ex.
37.81 gm
purportedly ex PNC collection. ex Vecchi Auction 3, lot 56 (1996) (not verified by me)
AKA, the "Anomalous Anonymous Series", which I particularly like. All the types are scarce, and the quadrans seems a bit scarcer than the lower denominations.2 commentsPMah01/29/22 at 03:51Carausius: Confirmed, it's Vecchi 3, Lot 56

Cr 213/1 Æ As "Mast & Sail"Rome, c. 155-149 b.c.e.

o: Laureate head of bearded Janus, I above
r: Prow of galley r.; mast with sail or military standard above; [I before], ROMA below

20.85 gm; 29.5 mm

A relatively scarce issue. There is some disagreement whether the symbol is a "mast and sail" per Crawford or a military standard/flag per Buttrey and others.
I tend to see it as a military standard, as it is clearly a symbol rather than an attempt to show a feature of the ship. It is ridiculously out of proportion as a feature and why would a symbol be used in such a way as to suggest it was a badly-crafted feature? Other specimens more clearly show a bit of "waving" motion at the bottom of the banner, which, if a sail, would suggest it was luffing, not exactly a moment the sailors would want preserved in bronze.

1 commentsPMah09/18/21 at 03:52Jay GT4: Nice one

Cr 236/1 AR Denarius M. Baebius Q. f. Tampilus 137 BCE
o: Helmeted head of Roma left, X below chin, TAMPIL behind
r: Apollo in quadriga right, ROMA below horses, M. BAEBI. Q. F. in exergue
Cr. 236/1. Baebia 12.
(g. 3.93 mm. 19.00)2 commentsPMah09/17/21 at 20:36Ron C2: beautiful specimen!

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.1 commentsPMah06/15/21 at 06:46Nemonater: Very interesting palm!

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. 1 commentsPMah06/14/21 at 17:32okidoki: great looks

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.2 commentsPMah03/16/21 at 10:52Pharsalos: Beautiful coin.

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.)
1 commentsPMah03/16/21 at 10:51Pharsalos: Gorgeous example of this fascinating type.

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.
1 commentsPMah02/21/21 at 22:34paul1888: Beautiful coin.

Cr 20/1 Anonymous AR Didrachmc. 269-266 b.c.e. Rome(?) or Neapolis mint (?)

o: Head of Hercules right, hair bound with ribbon with club and lion's skin over shoulder
r: She-wolf right, suckling twins; in exergue, ROMANO

6.89 gm 21.00 mm

This issue was likely the first to be minted in the city of Rome itself, rather than the prior didrachm issues from Naples or another Greek-oriented southern city, despite the Greek-styled "ROMANO" ethnic, soon permanently replaced with "ROMA".

Although a bit worn, this specimen retains all the design elements quite nicely. On ultra-well-preserved specimens, the wolf's dorsal hair is a bit more distinct, and it would have been nicer if the final "O" had stayed on the flan.1 commentsPMah02/21/21 at 14:23Anaximander: This is one great coin, on several levels.

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.
1 commentsPMah02/21/21 at 06:52Carausius: Very nice example. I routinely lose these at auct...

Cr 25/7 Æ cast Quadrans "Sickle series"Rome, c. 241-235 b.c.e.
o: Right hand with open palm; in l. field, three pellets (value), in r. field, sickle
r: Three pellets (value) between two barley-grains
68.5 gm
This series repeats the Cr 14 types, with the addition of a sickle. However, this issue, was produced some 30-40 years later on a lighter weight standard: the "14" were based on an As of approx 332 gms, but this issue was about 272 gm As. Extremely close readers of this gallery will note that my "14" specimens are actually lighter-weight average than my "25/sickles".
Although I am not a pedigree fanatic, my posted 25/sickle coins are in the pedigreed camp:
NAC Auction 61 (RBW Collection), lot 23; NAC Auction 7, 1994 (purchased by RBW), lot 342; RBW 44 (this coin)3 commentsPMah12/03/20 at 00:24Carausius: Very nice example

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.

1 commentsPMah10/20/20 at 03:31Jay GT4: Great coin

Cr 44/5 AR Denarius Anonymousc. 211 BCE -- ish
o: Helmeted head of Roma right; behind, X
r: The Dioscuri galloping right, stars above heads; in exergue, ROMA partially incuse on raised tablet
4.10 gm 20.00 mm
This type is the earliest or nearly earliest denarius.2 commentsPMah10/10/20 at 03:45PMah: Belated thanks to Steve B5, prompting me to look c...

Cr 25/3 AE Litra Anonymousc 241-235 BCE Anonymous bronze Litra
16 mm, 3.07 grams
o: Head of Mars, right, beardless, wearing Corinthian helmet
r: ROMA below Horse head, right, with bridle; behind, sickle
Crawford 25/3
Ex. RBW collection2 commentsPMah08/06/20 at 20:01quadrans: I like this ...

Cr 17/1i Æ Litra c 260 b.c.e.???
o: Head of Minerva in Corinthian helmet, right
r: Horse head left
6.76 gm
It is a bit difficult to determine if this coin is the "1i" variant, which should be anepigraphic on obverse. The centering suggests it is, and is thus among the scarcer of this series. This "litra" or unit is part of a massive issue of not entirely clear dating. Crawford dates this to "shortly before 269 b.c.e.".
1 commentsPMah08/06/20 at 20:00quadrans: wow...

Cr 28/4 AR Half-Quadrigatus/DrachmAnonymous, Rome mint
2.99 gm; 17 mm
c. 225 BCE?
Laureate head of Fontus/Janus
Jupiter in quadriga driven by Victory l., holding sceptre and thunderbolt; in ex. ROMA.
This type is associated with the series starting with the rare AU stater with Dioscuri/Oath scene, through the first Quadrigatus/ Didrachms. The half-piece has no value mark. The halves are considerably rarer than the full Didrachms and were presumably unsuccessful despite filling a gap to the unwieldy cast bronze denominations. A precursor, in a sense, to the denarius.
This coin is much nicer in hand than the photo.3 commentsPMah07/25/20 at 09:22okidoki: very nice obverse

Cr 39/4 Æ Uncia Anonymousc. 217-215 B.C.E. Rome

Radiate and draped facing bust of Sol; • (value) to left
Crescent; two stars and • (value) above; ROMA below
24mm 12.47 gm

ex. McCabe; ex RBW

This large "unit" of the semilibral standard comes from the series sometimes also described as "collateral", "anomalous", and, painfully, "anomalous anonymous". Crawford identified only struck bronzes from Triens to Semuncia for this issue. There are no clearly-associated cast bronze larger denominations, with the nearest-dated such cast types having more directly-related struck smaller denominations.
Yet, this series demonstrates the last great gasp of creativity in Republican bronze, no Prows in sight and without standardized presentations of the soon-to-be-rigid obverse gods.
Although not rare, these interesting types do not show up in every sale. This specimen has a bit of roughness but also a wonderful strike.1 commentsPMah07/25/20 at 09:21Pharsalos: Beautiful example of a beautiful type.

Cr 50/3 Æ As Anonymous [Anchor]209-208 b.c.e. Rome mint
Laureate head of Janus; I (value) above
Prow right; I (value) above, anchor before, ROMA below
32.66 gm 34 mm
This issue is associated with a 60-As gold piece. A nice specimen with a pronounced eye and oar-box on the prow.1 commentsPMah10/13/19 at 02:39Jay GT4: Nice big Republican

Cr 299/1b AR DenariusAppius Claudius Pulcher, T. Manlius Mancius (?) & Q. Urbinius (??)
Rome mint, 111-110 BCE
Helmeted head of Roma right; quadrangular device behind
Victory driving triga right, T•MA•AP• CL•Q•VR in ex.
3.94 gm, 17 mm
The text above does not do justice to the complexity of the ligature of the legend. This variety of the type leads off with moneyer "MA", presumed, not without contrary views, to be a Manlius or a Mallius; Crawford settles on Maloleius. I retained the seller's interpretation in the header for consistency.
"AP CL", by this time frame, will be a Claudius.
Crawford also cites but disputes an earlier interpretation that "Q. VR" stood for Quaestor Urbinus, rather than an unknown Urbinus. Puzzling that a Claudius would share honors.
No associated bronze types.
This coin nicely colored.

2 commentsPMah10/10/19 at 18:33Jay GT4: Indeed.

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.1 commentsPMah10/10/19 at 15:08shanxi: nice one

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.
1 commentsPMah07/29/19 at 04:04Carausius: Pretty coin, and a scarce variety to boot!

Cr 206/1 AR Denarius S Afra150 BCE Rome mint
o: Helmeted head of Roma right, X behind
r: Victory in biga right, SAFRA below horses, ROMA in exergue
Afrania 1 3.67 gm 19.00 mm
A "controversial" coin, if one is a bit of a pedant. Both Crawford and Sear note that the absence of a period/dot/stop after the "S" must lead to the conclusion that this is not issued by a "Spurius Afranius", but rather someone else. Indeed, Sear, due to his system, repeats the assertion for each of the seven types in this issue, from denarius to uncia, using up roughly a half-page of type, net. However, Sear makes no attempt to identify "S Afra", and Crawford cops out with "Safra" representing an unknown cognomen. I personally find it a bit difficult to hang such an argument on the absence of a dot but disregarding a usually distinct space between S and A. The Afranii were a fairly prolific bunch; one of them may have felt a need to be a bit hip-er than others. Plus, "Safra" does not seem to mean anything in Latin, which would be a bit unusual for a cognomen.
So, which explanation fits best: omission of a dot in a design versus a meaningless cognomen used by an unknown person who is not one of the members of a sound-alike gens that was sometimes of tertiary importance .....?

This coin is in wonderful condition for the type.2 commentsPMah07/29/19 at 04:01Carausius: Attractive coin.

Cr 44/5 AR Denarius Anonymousc. 211 BCE -- ish
o: Helmeted head of Roma right; behind, X
r: The Dioscuri galloping right, stars above heads; in exergue, ROMA partially incuse on raised tablet
4.10 gm 20.00 mm
This type is the earliest or nearly earliest denarius.2 commentsPMah07/28/19 at 04:20Steve B5: This is RRC 44/5. The sub-variety is seen in plat...

Cr 293/1 AR Denarius L. Philippus113 to 111-ish BCE
o: Head of Philip of Macedon right, wearing royal Macedonian helmet; under chin, Φ; behind, ROMA monogram
r: Equestrian statue right, base inscribed L. PHILIPPVS; below horse, flower; in exergue, XVI [mono]
Marcia 12. 3.92 gm 21.00 mm
The obverse oddly depicts Philip V of Macedon, sometime ally and sometime opponent of Rome, and seems to point to an earlier claim by the Marcii Philippi to a connection to the Macedonian dynasty. The reverse likely depicts a statue of another Marcius in the Roman Forum. There are monograms, flowers, and other elements to round out an array of meanings. The bronze issues, a quadrans and uncia, are also a bit busy and a bit scarcer.

This is a really nice coin, with a bit of deposit at 9:00 obverse, but I just can't get enthusiastic about the type.
3 commentsPMah07/19/19 at 18:09quadrans: Great piece ..I like it.. Smile

Cr 293/1 AR Denarius L. Philippus113 to 111-ish BCE
o: Head of Philip of Macedon right, wearing royal Macedonian helmet; under chin, Φ; behind, ROMA monogram
r: Equestrian statue right, base inscribed L. PHILIPPVS; below horse, flower; in exergue, XVI [mono]
Marcia 12. 3.92 gm 21.00 mm
The obverse oddly depicts Philip V of Macedon, sometime ally and sometime opponent of Rome, and seems to point to an earlier claim by the Marcii Philippi to a connection to the Macedonian dynasty. The reverse likely depicts a statue of another Marcius in the Roman Forum. There are monograms, flowers, and other elements to round out an array of meanings. The bronze issues, a quadrans and uncia, are also a bit busy and a bit scarcer.

This is a really nice coin, with a bit of deposit at 9:00 obverse, but I just can't get enthusiastic about the type.
3 commentsPMah07/18/19 at 19:22Tracy Aiello: I agree, simply fantastic.

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.2 commentsPMah05/28/19 at 12:58Tracy Aiello: Very nice indeed. Love the write-up.

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)2 commentsPMah05/11/19 at 06:55Optimo Principi: Absolutely beautiful example of this, one I would ...

cr 286/1 AR Denarius M. Sergius Silus116-115 b.c.e. 3.84 gm; 18.00 mm.
o: Helmeted head of Roma right; before, EX. S.C; behind, ROMA and *
r: Horseman left, holding sword and a severed head in left hand; below horse, Q / [M.] SERGI; in exergue, SILVS.
A special issue, by Senate decree, Sergius holding the fiscal office of Quaestor. Another dynamic decapitation, this coin retaining the facial expressions of the recently-deceased barbarian.
The photo is a bit washed-out, but the excellent obverse strike is apparent. 3 commentsPMah01/23/19 at 07:17Marsman: Beautiful

Cr 304/1 AR Denarius L. Memmius 109-108 b.c.e 3.93 gm; 19.50 mm
o: Young male head right (Apollo?), wearing oak-wreath; before, *
r: Dioscuri standing facing between their horses, each holding spear; in exergue, L. MEMMI.
This reverse breaks with the (boring) tradition of The Galloping Dioscuri reverse and presents a bold, frontal, sculptural presentation, similar to the sculptural group in front of the Quirinale Palace.
1 commentsPMah01/22/19 at 06:05Canaan: Great Details, a real beauty congrats!!!!

Cr 44/7 AR Sestertius AnonymousO: Helmeted head of Roma right; behind, IIS [= 2 and Semi]
R: The Dioscuri galloping right; below, ROMA in linear frame
0.81 gms; 13.50 mm
Broad flan, toned

A bit light, but achieving a consistent weight in casting flans was one of the challenges with this small coin at a time when the silver weight was still a critical component of acceptance.

Although the quarter-denarius seems like it should have been a very handy coin, saving the need to carry two large As and the Semis, the silver sestertius was minted only sporadically and then was discontinued. Accordingly, they are relatively rare, and I have to say this one is very nice.
2 commentsPMah01/21/19 at 13:23Carausius: Agree with Steve's assessment. Very pleasing ...

Cr 56/5 AE Quadrans Anonymous c. 211 BCE (20.4 mm, 6.04 grams)
o: Helmeted head of Hercules right, 3 dots behind
r: ROMA - Prow to right, 3 dots behind
Crawford 56/5.
Overstruck, possibly Hieron II of Sicily with Zeus/Trident
Ex. RBW1 commentsPMah01/21/19 at 13:20Carausius: Youre likely correct on the undertype, as I see Ze...

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.3 commentsPMah01/21/19 at 11:06Optimo Principi: Great example of the type!

Cr 44/7 AR Sestertius AnonymousO: Helmeted head of Roma right; behind, IIS [= 2 and Semi]
R: The Dioscuri galloping right; below, ROMA in linear frame
0.81 gms; 13.50 mm
Broad flan, toned

A bit light, but achieving a consistent weight in casting flans was one of the challenges with this small coin at a time when the silver weight was still a critical component of acceptance.

Although the quarter-denarius seems like it should have been a very handy coin, saving the need to carry two large As and the Semis, the silver sestertius was minted only sporadically and then was discontinued. Accordingly, they are relatively rare, and I have to say this one is very nice.
2 commentsPMah12/13/18 at 03:22Steve B5: Very representative example with bound hair, fully...

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.1 commentsPMah12/09/18 at 00:14Jay GT4: Nice one

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.
5 commentsPMah10/28/18 at 03:07PMah: Thanks, Viewers. This type highlights odd range o...

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)
2 commentsPMah09/17/18 at 01:18PMah: Thank you, Jay. I am falling behind on my notes.

Cr 312/1 AR Denarius C. Sulpicius C.f. Galba Rome, 106 BCE
o: Jugate heads of Dei Penates left, DPP before
r: Two soldiers swearing oath over sow, L above, C SVLPICI. C F in ex.
Crawford 312/1. Sulpicia 1
Serrated, 3.85g. (12h)
Penates were both personal and public gods, and this obverse emphasizes that these are the public form, "Publici", as it would be quite unusual to emphasize the private aspect of household gods. The oath scene on reverse likely refers to the founding myth of the white sow at Alba Longa in the Aeneid. The Sulpicii gens eventually culminated (and terminated) with the emperor Galba. 1 commentsPMah09/09/18 at 04:01NORMAN K: very nice!

Cr 44/1 AR Victoriatus Anonymous after 211 BC. AR Victoriatus (17mm, 3.14g, 11h) Rome mint
O: Laureate head of Jupiter r.
R: Victory standing r., crowning trophy
Crawford 44/1
[my opinion: Although Victoriati can be seen as excruciatingly repetitive, with good reason, the obverse of this coin shows considerable artistry in execution.]3 commentsPMah09/02/18 at 01:17PMah: Update, with thanks to SteveB5, I agree, and re-at...

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)4 commentsPMah08/31/18 at 11:01okidoki: Congrats very nice never seen the type

Cr 250/1 AR Denarius M. Aburius M.F. Geminus 132 B.C.E. Rome mint
(19.32 mm, 3.93 g, 7 h)
o: GEM, helmeted head of Roma right; XVI monogram below chin
r: M·ABVRI / ROMA, Sol, holding reins and whip, driving galloping quadriga right
Crawford 250/1; Aburia 61 commentsPMah08/31/18 at 05:42quadrans: Nice

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. 2 commentsPMah08/30/18 at 16:01quadrans: Great coin Smile

, and details,

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.
5 commentsPMah08/30/18 at 15:59quadrans: Great piece ..I like it.. Smile

Cr 217/1 AR Denarius C. Terentius Lucanus 147 BCE
o: Helmeted head of Roma right; behind, X and small Victory
r: The Dioscuri galloping right; below horses, C. TER.LVC. In exergue, ROMA.
Cr. 217/1. Terentia 10
(g. 3.59 mm. 18.00). 1 commentsPMah08/30/18 at 15:54quadrans: Nice piece.. Smile

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)1 commentsPMah08/30/18 at 07:08Canaan: Very nice!!!!

Cr 296/1d AR Denarius Cn. Blasio Cn.f. o: Helmeted male head (Mars or Scipio Africanus?) right; [mark of value] above, prow stem behind
r: Jupiter standing facing, holding scepter and thunderbolt, crowned by Juno on left and Minerva on right
Cn. Blasio Cn.f. 112-111 BC. AR Denarius (17mm, 3.86 g, 6h). Rome mint. Helmeted male head (Mars or Scipio Africanus?) right; [mark of value] above, prow stem behind / Jupiter standing facing, holding scepter and thunderbolt, between Juno on left and Minerva on right, crowning Jupiter with wreath; Π between Jupiter and Minerva. Crawford 296/1d; Sydenham 561b; Cornelia 19.
2 commentsPMah08/28/18 at 16:45Canaan: Great coin

Cr 308/1a AR Denarius M. Herennius 108-107 BCE. AR Denarius M. Herennius, Rome, (19mm, 3.83g, 11h).
O: Diademed head of Pietas r.; control mark before chin;PIETAS behind.
R: M HERENNI, left; Amphinomus carrying his father aloft r., who looks back
Crawford 308/1a; RBW -; RSC Herennia 1.
[The Herennii seem to have adopted the Sicilian image of the brothers who fled Aetna with their parents, but most sources put the origin of the gens in Campania.]2 commentsPMah08/28/18 at 16:44Canaan: Very nice!!!!

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 13551 commentsPMah08/28/18 at 16:43Canaan: Nice!!!

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!1 commentsPMah08/28/18 at 16:41Canaan: A great coin

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.2 commentsPMah08/28/18 at 16:40Canaan: Very nice!!!!

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.
5 commentsPMah08/28/18 at 16:39Canaan: Interesting type, it is a beauty

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 607.1 commentsPMah08/28/18 at 04:30Enodia: great reverse scene.

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 13041 commentsPMah08/28/18 at 04:17Carausius: Attractive coin that I nearly bid on myself!

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.1 commentsPMah08/28/18 at 04:12Carausius: Lovely coin. I prefer this of your two specimens....

Cr 44/1 AR Victoriatus Anonymous after 211 BC. AR Victoriatus (17mm, 3.14g, 11h) Rome mint
O: Laureate head of Jupiter r.
R: Victory standing r., crowning trophy
Crawford 44/1
[my opinion: Although Victoriati can be seen as excruciatingly repetitive, with good reason, the obverse of this coin shows considerable artistry in execution.]3 commentsPMah08/28/18 at 03:31Steve B5: These anonymous victoriatii are really tough to at...

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.
5 commentsPMah08/28/18 at 03:20Steve B5: Really nice collection of RR coins. All are good ...

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