Post your She-wolf and Twins Types with attributions or questions

[thenickelguy]

I was hoping this thread could take off with people posting examples, and if you can identify it as thoroughly as possible that would be great. If you are unable, maybe somebody could quote your post and add to it. (Or even make corrections)

I don't know what draws me to this issue, it is certainly a bizarre reverse by todays standards. On the other hand, there is a lot of bizarre-ness today, but two kids drinking milk from a wolf is up there pretty good. I do remember my early schooling. I never took many books home but did just fine. I had a decent education back then. I remember Romulus and Remus and the founding of Rome.

So back to the coins. There must be a bazillion varieties, different mints, and subtle differences in Roma's headgear, stars or crescents on wolfs shoulder. Just a lot of varieties I suppose.

It would be neat to see a lot of these, post em even if somebody already did post one like yours. Hopefully this will be an educational thread.

I only have two so far and will post my first here now.

This very well may be a
Barbarous Imitation of a Commemorative VRBS ROMA, 335-339


Barbarous Imitation of a Commemorative VRBS ROMA, 335-339 AD Follis

She-wolf & twins Romulus and Remus. ( So my description has changed since first posted. Thanks to John Conduitt posting his very similar coin, I am concluding that mine is a Barbarous Imitation )

A much lighter version 14.5mm, 1.5 gr. imitating the Urbs Roma type, commemorating the founding of Rome. Barbarous coins were common in Britain at this time, but mostly produced in Gaul and Spain. Some, like this one, are shown by hoard evidence to have been produced in large numbers in Britain.

Obv. Bronze, VRBS ROMA Helmeted and mantled bust of Roma to left.

Rev. Mintmark •PLG (Lugdunum) Present day Lyons
She-wolf standing left, suckling the twins Romulus and Remus; above, two stars.
An original coin is cataloged RIC 242.
This one was reportedly found in modern Normandy.

King Amulius ordered the twins Romulus and Remus to be killed and they were abandoned on the bank of the river Tiber to die.
They were suckled by a she-wolf in a cave.
Romulus was the founder of the city of Rome. The god Mars was the twins father.

Edited November 28, 2022 by thenickelguy
upgraded image, changed coin description

[Spaniard]

Neat collecting area....I only have one but do agree the reverse depiction is quite appealing...Mine was minted in Antioch..

City Commemorative. 330-354 AD. AE Follis (2.40 gm, 17mm). Antioch mint. Struck 330-335 AD.
Obv.: VRBS ROMA, helmeted head of Roma left, wearing imperial mantle and ornamental necklace.
Rev.: she-wolf standing left, suckling Romulus and Remus, two stars above; SMANZ in exergue. RIC#91

[ambr0zie]

I have a few

City Commemoratives, Roma.

Date Range: AD 332 - AD 335

VRBS - ROMA, bust of Roma, wearing plumed helmet, left / She-wolf, standing left, suckling twins; above, two stars

MintMark: -/-//•SMKA

RIC VII Cyzicus 106

 

 

URBS ROMA

1.78 g 18 mm

Struck under Constantine I. Arelate, AD 333. VRBS ROMA, helmeted bust of Roma to left, wearing imperial cloak / She-wolf standing to left, suckling Romulus and Remus; wreath flanked by two stars above, PCONST in exergue. RIC VII 373; LRBC 376.

 

But I find this one very interesting as it's a barbarous imitation. Much smaller than the official version, at 10.5 mm and 0.38 g.

Of course, the image of the shewolf with twins appears on provincial coins, earlier, suchs as this Macrinus from Laodicea ad Mare. There are other cities who issues coins with this reverse, I remember miserably losing a Diadumenian from Deultum.

And on republican coins

[thenickelguy]

I have this one coming in the week ahead. It is what prompted me to start the thread.

Urbs Roma. 332-333 AD. AE Follis. 

Obverse: VRBS ROMA, helmeted bust of Roma left wearing imperial mantle.
Reverse: She-wolf standing left, suckling twins, two stars above. 
15.75 mm Mintmark TR dot P.
RIC VII Trier 542; Sear 16488.

No star, weak or non-existent, showing on shoulder of She-wolf. 

 

Edited November 30, 2022 by thenickelguy
coin description modified

[ambr0zie]

Nice reverse on this one, very detailed.

[Harry G]

I only have one "Wolf & Twins" coin in my "main" collection (of antoninianii), which is this rather unusual antoninianus of Carausius. It's certainly barbarous, and I like the σ+∩ mintmark!

[quant.geek]

Here are a few that won the Best of Type on FORVM a few years ago (and still the leading champs):

Roman Empire: Constantine I the Great (307-337) City Commemorative Æ Follis, Treveri (RIC 543)
Obv: Laureate and helmeted bust of Constantinopolis facing left. Legend around - CONSTANTINOPOLIS
Rev: Victory standing left on prow, holding spear and resting on shield. Legend below - TR • S

 

Roman Empire: Constantine I the Great (307-337) City Commemorative Æ Follis, Siscia (RIC 240)

Obv: Helmeted and cuirassed bust of Roma facing left. Legend around - VRBS ROMA
Rev: Lupa Romana standing left, suckling twins Romulus and Remus; two stars above. Legend below - • ASIS •

From the Nether Compton hoard

 

Roman Empire: Constantine I the Great (307-337) City Commemorative Æ Follis, Arles (RIC 401)

Obv: CONSTAN-TINOPOLIS; Laureate, helmeted bust of Constantinople left, wearing imperial mantle, holding scepter.
Rev: Victory standing on prow, holding long scepter in right hand, resting left hand on shield; ☧ (Chi-Rho) in left field; SCONST in exergue

 

There are other coins that I have not summited for the title that I bought a while ago as a lot. I haven't had the time to properly attribute them, unfortunately

 

[expat]

6 minutes ago, quant.geek said:

Here are a few that won the Best of Type on FORVM a few years ago (and still the leading champs):

Roman Empire: Constantine I the Great (307-337) City Commemorative Æ Follis, Treveri (RIC 543)
Obv: Laureate and helmeted bust of Constantinopolis facing left. Legend around - CONSTANTINOPOLIS
Rev: Victory standing left on prow, holding spear and resting on shield. Legend below - TR • S

 

Roman Empire: Constantine I the Great (307-337) City Commemorative Æ Follis, Siscia (RIC 240)

Obv: Helmeted and cuirassed bust of Roma facing left. Legend around - VRBS ROMA
Rev: Lupa Romana standing left, suckling twins Romulus and Remus; two stars above. Legend below - • ASIS •

From the Nether Compton hoard

 

Roman Empire: Constantine I the Great (307-337) City Commemorative Æ Follis, Arles (RIC 401)

Obv: CONSTAN-TINOPOLIS; Laureate, helmeted bust of Constantinople left, wearing imperial mantle, holding scepter.
Rev: Victory standing on prow, holding long scepter in right hand, resting left hand on shield; ☧ (Chi-Rho) in left field; SCONST in exergue

 

There are other coins that I have not summited for the title that I bought a while ago as a lot. I haven't had the time to properly attribute them, unfortunately

 

Stunning. Look like they were struck yesterday

[Shea19]

Got my first example of the type earlier this year (can’t believe it took me this long to get one of these).

 

Commemorative Series, Follis (19 mm, 3.20 g), Siscia, 330-333. VRBS ROMA Draped bust of Roma to left, wearing crested Attic helmet. Rev. She-wolf standing left, head facing, suckling the twins Romulus and Remus; above, two eight-pointed stars; in exergue, ΓSIS. RIC 222. 

From the collection of Dipl.-Ing. Adrian Lang.

[Ed Snible]

Here is one that I can identify:

MYSIA, Parion, Severus Alexander (AD 222-235), AE 22, 5.85g
Obv: IMP CAES L SEP SEV ALEXANDER (Ss retrograde); Laureate and cuirassed bust right
Rev: C G I H / PAR (abbreviation for Colonia Gemella Julia Hadriana Pariana)
Ref: RPC VI 3876

Here is one I can't identify:

Helena imitative AE 8mm 0.50g
Obv: Helena (The portrait could also be Fausta.)
Rev: Wolf and twins

[Julius Germanicus]

Here is a (very small) she-wolf with twins, protected by the Dioscuri:

IMP C MAXENTIVS PF AVG – Laureate head of Maxentius right /
AETERNITAS AVG N MOSTΓ – The Dioskuri Castor and Pollux standing facing one another, each holding his bridled horse and resting on sceptre; between, she-wolf standing left, suckling the twins Romulus and Remus
Æ Follis, Ostia mind, 3rd officina, AD 309
25mm / 5,64 gr / 12h
RIC VI 16, Cohen 10, Sear 14976, Drost 17 b

[Qcumbor]

A themed collection I like very much.

Republic, Sextans - Rome mint, circa 217-215 BC
She-wolf suckling twins, in exergue two pellets.
ROMA in right field. Eagle standing right, holding flower in beak. Behind, two pellets
29 mm, 24.22 gr
Ref : RCV # 609, Sydenham # 95, Crawford # 39/3

 

Philippus I, Antoninianus - Rome mint, AD 248, 2nd officina
IMP PHILIPPVS AVG, radiate, draped and cuirassed bust right, seen from behind
SAECVLARES AVGG, She wolf left, suckling Romulus and Remus, II at exergue
3.7 gr
Ref : RCV # 8957, RIC # 15, Cohen # 178

 

Maxentius, Follis - Ostia mint, 1st officina AD 309-312
IMP C MAXENTIVS PF AVG, Laureate head of Maxentius right
SAECVLI FELICITAS AVG N, She wolf left, suckling Romulus and Remus, MOSTP at exergue
6,13 gr - 25 mm
Ref : RIC VI # 52, RCV # 15024, Cohen # 101 (12)

 

Urbs Roma, AE 3 - Siscia mint, 3rd officina, ca. AD 330-333
VRBS ROMA, Helmeted Roma left
Anepigraph, She wolf suckling twins Remus and Romulus, two stars in field, gamma SIS at exergue
2.34 gr
Ref : RC #3894, Cohen #17, RIC # 222

 

More to come

Q

[Leo]

I've made a short video about the Constantinopolis and Urbs Roma issues. Its a lovely little series, and my Constantinopolis piece is likely my favorite late roman bronze coin 🙂
 

 

[Roman Collector]

Constantine I, AD 307-337.
Roman billon reduced centenionalis, 2.09 g, 17.4 mm, 1 h.
Cyzicus, AD 331, 333-334.
Obv: VRBS ROMA, bust of Roma, left, wearing plumed helmet and imperial cloak.
Rev: Lupa Romana standing left, suckling the twins Romulus and Remus; two stars above; SMKS in exergue.
Refs: RIC vii, p. 656, 91; LRBC I 1232; Cohen 17; RCV 16523.

 

Constantine I, AD 307-337.
Roman billon reduced centenionalis, 2.44 g, 17.4 mm, 12 h.
Constantina/Arles, AD 331-332.
Obv: VRBS ROMA, helmeted bust of Roma, left, wearing imperial robes.
Rev: Lupa Romana, left, suckling Romulus and Remus; branch between two stars above; SCONST in exergue.
Refs: RIC vii p. 273, 368; RCV 16497; LRBC I 371; Cohen 17.

 

Constantine I, AD 307-337.
Roman billon reduced centenionalis, 2.11 g, 17.3 mm, 12 h.
Siscia, 3rd officina, AD 334-335.
Obv: VRBS ROMA, helmeted bust of Roma, left, wearing imperial robes.
Rev: Lupa Romana, left, suckling Romulus and Remus; two stars above; •ΓSIS• in exergue.
Refs: RIC vii p. 456, 240; RCV 16515; LRBC I 750; Cohen 17.

 

Gallienus, AD 253-268.
Roman Billon Antoninianus, 2.84 g, 21.2 mm, 11 h.
Antioch, AD 265-266.
Obv: GALLIENVS AVG, radiate, draped and cuirassed bust, right.
Rev: AETERNITAS AVG, Lupa Romana (she-wolf suckling Romulus and Remus), right; branch in exergue.
Refs: RIC 628; Göbl 1628e; Cohen 46; RCV 10171 var.

[mc9]

Gallienus

Roman Provincial Gallienus

IMP CA GALIHNUS PIUS

Radiate, draped and cuirassed bust right

ANTIOCH CL,

she-wolf standing to right, suckling the twins Romulus and Remus //SR

Antioch, Pisidien, A.D.253 – 268, SNG Paris 1324, 14.12 gr, 28.5 mm

Gallienus

GALLIENVS AVG

Bust  radiate, draped and cuirassed right

AETERNITAS AVG,

she-wolf suckling Romulus and Remus, branch in exergue.

A.D. 265 – 266, Antiochia, RIC 628,

Antoninianus, 3.75 gr, 20.00 mm

 And a URBS ROMA

 

VBRS ROMA

 

Helmed, wearing imperial cloak l.

 

she wolf stg. l., suckling twins; above two stars and CHI-RHO // PCONST

 

A.D.334, 1.49 gr,  15.07 mm, Arles

 

RIC VII 385  p.275,  folles

 

[O-Towner]

Sextus Pompeius Fostlus. AR Denarius : Rome, c. 137 BC
Obv. Helmeted head of Roma right, X before and jug behind
Rev. FOSTLVS SEX PO; She-wolf standing right, head left, suckling twins Romulus and Remus; birds on fig tree behind; to left, shepherd standing right
Ref: Craw. 235/1c

[maridvnvm]

Lugdunum:-

//PLG – RIC Lugdunum 242

// • PLG – RIC Lugdunum 247

// • SLG – RIC Lugdunum 247

//*PLG - RIC Lugdunum 267

//*SLG - RIC Lugdunum 267

[maridvnvm]

Some other mints:-

Arles

Constantinople

Rome

Siscia

Trier

[Alegandron]

8 hours ago, Qcumbor said:

A themed collection I like very much.

Republic, Sextans - Rome mint, circa 217-215 BC
She-wolf suckling twins, in exergue two pellets.
ROMA in right field. Eagle standing right, holding flower in beak. Behind, two pellets
29 mm, 24.22 gr
Ref : RCV # 609, Sydenham # 95, Crawford # 39/3

 

Philippus I, Antoninianus - Rome mint, AD 248, 2nd officina
IMP PHILIPPVS AVG, radiate, draped and cuirassed bust right, seen from behind
SAECVLARES AVGG, She wolf left, suckling Romulus and Remus, II at exergue
3.7 gr
Ref : RCV # 8957, RIC # 15, Cohen # 178

 

Maxentius, Follis - Ostia mint, 1st officina AD 309-312
IMP C MAXENTIVS PF AVG, Laureate head of Maxentius right
SAECVLI FELICITAS AVG N, She wolf left, suckling Romulus and Remus, MOSTP at exergue
6,13 gr - 25 mm
Ref : RIC VI # 52, RCV # 15024, Cohen # 101 (12)

 

Urbs Roma, AE 3 - Siscia mint, 3rd officina, ca. AD 330-333
VRBS ROMA, Helmeted Roma left
Anepigraph, She wolf suckling twins Remus and Romulus, two stars in field, gamma SIS at exergue
2.34 gr
Ref : RC #3894, Cohen #17, RIC # 222

 

More to come

Q

Cuke is actually the LUPUS-KING! With a great collection.

RR Anon AE Sextans 217-215 BCE She-Wolf Twins Eagle Syd 95 Cr 39-3 S 609 Scarce

 

RR Sextus Pompeius 137 BCE AR Den She-Wolf Rom Rem S112 Cr 235-1a

 

[thenickelguy]

I'd like to interrupt this awesome response flow of great examples and thank everyone for your participation. It is far exceeding my expectations. Please keep them coming.

This will surely benefit others in the future with the she-wolf & twins varieties.

[Jims,Coins]

Bronze coin (AE 3/4) minted during the reign of Constantine I, The Great between 330 - 337 A.D. Commemorative Issue. Obv. VRBS.ROMA. Helmeted bust of Roma l. Rev. She-wolf l., suckling Romulus & Remus. RCS #3894.

Bronze coin (AE Follis) minted at AQ=Aquileia during the reign of MAXENTIUS IN 307 A.D. Obv. IMP.C.MAXENTIVS.P.F.AVG. laur. hd. r. Rev. CONSERV.VRB.SVAE. Roma seated l., on shield in Tetrastyle temple r. handing globe to MAXENTIUS (in military dress, stg. r.) l. holding sceptre, seated captive between; Victories as acroteria, wolf and twins in pediment. RCS #3781. RICVI #113 pg.325. DVM #19.

[John Conduitt]

Barbarous Imitation of a Commemorative VRBS ROMA, 335-339
East Anglia imitating Lugdunum. Bronze, 14mm, 1.20g. Helmeted and mantled bust of Roma left; VRBS ROMA. She-wolf standing left, head right, suckling the twins Romulus and Remus; two stars above; •PLG (cf RIC VII, 242). Reportedly from the Nether Compton (Dorset) Hoard 1989.

[Victor_Clark]

 

 

VRBS ROMA
A.D. 336
15x17mm 1.6g
Obv. VRBS-ROMA [City of Rome] Roma, helmeted, wearing imperial cloak.
Rev. She-wolf left with twins (Romulus and Remus); above, two Chi-Rho's then a star.
in ex. PCONST
RIC VII Arles 400

the engraver made an error as the reverse should have been a Chi-Rho flanked by two stars.

 

 

 

Constantine I SOLI from Lugdunum...wolf and twins on shield

Constantine I
A.D. 315
21x22mm 3.1g
IMP CONSTANTINVS AVG; cuirassed bust left wearing laureate helmet with wreath on side; shield with wolf and twins on left, Victory on globe in right, presenting wreath to Constantine.
SOLI INVIC-TO COMITI; Sol stg. left, raising r. hand, globe in l.; chlamys across l. shoulder; across fields T/F.
in ex. PLG
RIC VII Lyons 22; Bastien 553

 

 

Maxentius
A.D. 307
24x26mm 6.8g
IMP C MAXENTIVS P F AVG; laureate head right.
CONSERV VRB SVAE; Roma seated left on shield within tetrastyle temple, holding scepter and handing globe to Maxentius, standing right and holding scepter, with foot on bound captive seated right; Victories with wreaths as acroteria, she-wolf and twins in pediment.
In ex. AQΓ
RIC VI Aquileia 11

 

 

 

Maxentius SAECVLI FELICITAS AVG N from Ostia

Maxentius A.D. 309- 312 26mm 6.5g IMP C MAXENTIVS P F AVG; laureate head right. SAECVLI FELICITAS AVG N; She-wolf standing left, suckling the twins. In ex. MOSTT RIC VI Ostia 52

 

[mc9]

Here are some UR coins from small to large, all have the same obverse / reverse

VRBS ROMA

Bust l., helmeted, wearing imperial cloak

she wolf standing left, suckling Romulus and Remus, above two stars

LYONSA.D. 330 – 331 Lyons RIC VII 242 p.138, 0.78 gr, 12.95 mm, // PLG

 

ALEXANDRIA

A.D. 330 – 331, Alexandria, RIC VII 70 p.712, 1.51 gr, 14.22 mm, // SMAL delta

 

ALEXANDRIA

A.D. 330 – 331, Alexandria, RIC VII  p.138, 1.46 gr, 15.37 * 16.78 mm, S/R/ SMALA

SEE NOTA P. 712

 

TRIER

A.D. 333 – 334, Trier, RIC VII 553 p.218, 2.19 gr, 16.04 mm, // TRS, wreath between stars

 

NICOMEDIA

A.D. 330 – 335 Nicomedia RIC VII 195 p.634 2.61 gr, 16.85 mm, 3 vertical points in between the two stars // SMNS

 

SISCIA

A.D. 334 – 335, Siscia, RIC VII 240, p.456, 2,26 gr, 17.55 mm //.BSIS.

 

ANTIOCHIA

A.D.335 – 337, Antiochia, RIC VII 113 p.697, 2.93 gr, 18.01 mm,  // SMAN thèta

 

THESSALONICA

A.D. 330 – 333, Thessalonica, RIC VII 187 p.524, 2.84 gr, 19.24 mm,  //SMTSE

 

 

 

[Qcumbor]

On 11/26/2022 at 10:14 AM, Qcumbor said:

More to come

Republic, Didrachm - Rome mint c. 269-266 BC
No legend, Diademed head of young Hercules right, with club and lion's skin over shoulder
ROMANO, She wolf right, suckling Romulus and Remus
7.29 gr
Ref : RCV # 24, RSC # 8

 

S. Pompeius Fostlus, Denarius - Rome mint, 137 BC
Helmeted head of Roma right, X below chin, jug behind head
SEX PO [FOSTLVS] She wolf suckling Remus and Romulus, fig tree in background, the shepherd Faustulus behind. ROMA at exergue
3,73 gr
Ref : RCV # 112 var, RSC Pompeia # 1a, Crawford # 235/1c

 

Gallienus, Antoninianus - Antioch mint, AD 265-266
GALLIENVS AVG radiate head left
AETERNITAS AVG she wolf standing right, suckling twins Romulus and Remus. Branch at exergue
3,9 gr, 20 mm
Ref : RIC V-1 # 628, Göbl # 1628a

 

Maxentius, Follis - Aquilea mint, 1st officina, AD 309-310
IMP C MAXENTIVS P F AVG, Laureate head of Maxentius right
CONSERV VRBS SVAE, Tetrastyle temple, Roma seated left, a foot on captive, giving a globe to Maxentius standing right. She wolf suckling Romulus and Remus in pediment. AQP at exergue
6.55 gr
Ref : RCV # 14992 (100), Cohen #42

 

Maxentius, Follis - Ostia mint, 3rd officina AD 309
IMP C MAXENTIVS PF AVG, Laureate head of Maxentius right
AET ERNITAS AVGN, Dioscuri facing each other, holding their horse by bridle. Between them she wolf suckling Remus and Romulus. MOSTΓ at exergue
7.43 gr
Ref : Cohen # 10, RCV # 14976 (100), RIC VI # 16

 

Urbs Roma, AE 3 - Lyon mint, 1st officina, ca. AD 332
VRBS ROMA, Helmeted Roma left
Anepigraph, She wolf suckling twins Remus and Romulus, two stars in field, Crescent dot PLG at exergue
2.86 gr
Ref : Bastien # 221, RIC # 257
Note : Die clash on the reverse, the remains of ROMA backwards and the rear of Roma's helmet being visible, thus reading AMOR

Q