SteveJBrinkman Posted June 14, 2023 · Member Share Posted June 14, 2023 A few days ago I received a coin I acquired in the NAC 138 sale, lot 379, an early Roman denarius with the CVAR monogram, struck at a mint in Sicily. The timing of 209-208 B.C. excludes the possibility that the moneyer was the 215 BC consul by that name, killed at the battle of Cannae, so it is perhaps a younger relative of his according to Crawford. This issue and the issue with CAL monogram are thought to be the earliest denarius issues signed by a moneyer. It is remarkable that both are attributed to Sicily rather than Rome. Crawford 74/1; 4.24 g; Nice obverse iridescence. This is a relatively scarce issue. Schaefer cites 6 obverse and 6 reverse dies. 22 2 1 3 11 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AETHER Posted June 15, 2023 · Member Share Posted June 15, 2023 Amazing style. Might as well be Greek! Grats. 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveJBrinkman Posted June 15, 2023 · Member Author Share Posted June 15, 2023 1 minute ago, AETHER said: Amazing style. Might as well be Greek! Grats. I agree. All of the Sicilian issues, Crawford 67-80 are among the most beautifully rendered in my opinion. Even the more "primitive" rrc 68 (spike) and rrc 80 (dolphin) are uniquely pleasing in their own way. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
red_spork Posted June 15, 2023 · Member Share Posted June 15, 2023 Really great denarius Steve. A truly amazing example of this scarcer type. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
antwerpen2306 Posted June 15, 2023 · Member Share Posted June 15, 2023 I am jealous 😄 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Edward Blume-Poulton Posted August 3, 2023 · Member Share Posted August 3, 2023 Just for the record: Cannae was in 216 (August 2 or July 2, depending on how you interpret the calendar) as was Varro's consulship . The consul Aemilius Paullus was killed at Cannae, Varro survived and had other commands throughout the war. He remained in command for the remainder of the year, mostly based at Canusium. Crawford probably attributes it to a younger relative because Varro had no command in Sicily and issuing money was generally done by minor magistrates. Great coin. 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveJBrinkman Posted August 19, 2023 · Member Author Share Posted August 19, 2023 On 8/2/2023 at 6:08 PM, Edward Blume-Poulton said: Just for the record: Cannae was in 216 (August 2 or July 2, depending on how you interpret the calendar) as was Varro's consulship . The consul Aemilius Paullus was killed at Cannae, Varro survived and had other commands throughout the war. He remained in command for the remainder of the year, mostly based at Canusium. Crawford probably attributes it to a younger relative because Varro had no command in Sicily and issuing money was generally done by minor magistrates. Great coin. I stand corrected on all counts. Thanks @Edward Blume-Poulton Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.