Roman Coins in Reverse - a Chronological Gallery

[Limes]

Finally I can add one to this thread. Lovely coins so far, everyone! I've enlarged my watchlist 😉

[akeady]

Here are some different ones from the period.

@Octavius posted a lovely example of Cr. 365/1b with control letter - here's Cr. 365/1a with a symbol behind the head (rudder):

Cr. 357/1a & 1b of C. Norbanus from 83 BC have either 3 or 4 symbols on the reverse - /1a has prow, fasces, caduceus and corn-ear and /1b has corn-ear, fasces and caduceus:

Q. Antonius Balbus of 83-82 BC (Cr. 364/1c) has Victory with a palm branch in quadriga on the reverse.   There are a few varieties with control letters on the obverse or reverse, etc.:

L. Censorinus, P. Crepusius & C. Limetanus of 82 BC have this attractive denarius (better examples are attractive, at least!) - Cr. 360/1b:

The Crepusia denarii of 82 BC (Cr. 361/1 - some varieties) have many die numbers and symbols - subject of a couple of works (https://www.jstor.org/stable/43566280).   This one has great detail and surfaces, pity it's off-centre:

How about three coins which reproduce earlier designs - Cr. 369/1, 370/1 & 371/1 of ca. 82-80 BC:

The reverses are copied from Cr. 263/1, 264/1 & 265/1 and the obverses now have the head of Apollo.   They were issued by Sullan supporters and relatives of the moneyers responsible for the earlier issues.   Crawford has some suggestions on reasons for their issue - new coinage without appointing new moneyers, to mark the restoration of the Republic after the abdication od the dictator and to reward Sulla's supporters.

Here's Europa riding a bull on a denarius of L. Volumnius Strabo of 81 BC (Cr. 377/1):

Jug and lituus reverse on denarius of Q. Caecilius Metellus (Cr. 374/2) of 81 BC:

Liberty in a biga left, being crowned by Victory, pileus behind.   Venus with a little Cupid on the obverse.   Cr. 391/1b of 75 BC.

Here's one I like - Medusa and Bellerophon on Pegasus on a denarius of L. Cossutius of 74 BC (Cr. 395/1):

Here's one with Amphitrite and Neptune in a sea-chariot drawn by hippocamps - Cr. 399/1b of 72 BC:

How about Cr. 401/1 of 71 BC - Mn. Aquilius with Virtus and a warrior raising up the fallen Sicily:

The reconciliation of Rome and Italy on the reverse, with Honos and Virtus on the reverse - Cr. 403/1 of 70 BC:

The last one I'll inflict on anyone is Tatius on the obverse and a figure in a biga holding a magistrate's staff - exactly who is depicted is unclear - some magistrate possibly distributing corn, judging by the corn-ear.   Cr. 404/1 of 70 BC:

ATB,
Aidan.

Edited July 12, 2023 by akeady
Removed two extraneous pictures

[Al Kowsky]

Roman Republic. Q. Antonius Balbus, 83-82 BC. Rome Mint. AR Denarius Serratus: 4.07 gm, 19 mm, 5 h. Obverse: Laureate head of Jupiter, S.C in left field. Reverse: Victory in fast quadriga holding reins, palm branch, & wreath, C below, Q. ANTO. BALB PR in exergue. Crawford 364/1d. 

[DonnaML]

16 hours ago, akeady said:

Here are some different ones from the period.

@Octavius posted a lovely example of Cr. 365/1b with control letter - here's Cr. 365/1a with a symbol behind the head (rudder):

Cr. 357/1a & 1b of C. Norbanus from 83 BC have either 3 or 4 symbols on the reverse - /1a has prow, fasces, caduceus and corn-ear and /1b has corn-ear, fasces and caduceus:

Q. Antonius Balbus of 83-82 BC (Cr. 364/1c) has Victory with a palm branch in quadriga on the reverse.   There are a few varieties with control letters on the obverse or reverse, etc.:

L. Censorinus, P. Crepusius & C. Limetanus of 82 BC have this attractive denarius (better examples are attractive, at least!) - Cr. 360/1b:

The Crepusia denarii of 82 BC (Cr. 361/1 - some varieties) have many die numbers and symbols - subject of a couple of works (https://www.jstor.org/stable/43566280).   This one has great detail and surfaces, pity it's off-centre:

How about three coins which reproduce earlier designs - Cr. 369/1, 370/1 & 371/1 of ca. 82-80 BC:

The reverses are copied from Cr. 263/1, 264/1 & 265/1 and the obverses now have the head of Apollo.   They were issued by Sullan supporters and relatives of the moneyers responsible for the earlier issues.   Crawford has some suggestions on reasons for their issue - new coinage without appointing new moneyers, to mark the restoration of the Republic after the abdication od the dictator and to reward Sulla's supporters.

Here's Europa riding a bull on a denarius of L. Volumnius Strabo of 81 BC (Cr. 377/1):

Jug and lituus reverse on denarius of Q. Caecilius Metellus (Cr. 374/2) of 81 BC:

Liberty in a biga left, being crowned by Victory, pileus behind.   Venus with a little Cupid on the obverse.   Cr. 391/1b of 75 BC.

Here's one I like - Medusa and Bellerophon on Pegasus on a denarius of L. Cossutius of 74 BC (Cr. 395/1):

Here's one with Amphitrite and Neptune in a sea-chariot drawn by hippocamps - Cr. 399/1b of 72 BC:

How about Cr. 401/1 of 71 BC - Mn. Aquilius with Virtus and a warrior raising up the fallen Sicily:

The reconciliation of Rome and Italy on the reverse, with Honos and Virtus on the reverse - Cr. 403/1 of 70 BC:

The last one I'll inflict on anyone is Tatius on the obverse and a figure in a biga holding a magistrate's staff - exactly who is depicted is unclear - some magistrate possibly distributing corn, judging by the corn-ear.   Cr. 404/1 of 70 BC:

ATB,
Aidan.

Wonderful! I especially love the Bellerophon on Pegasus, and the sea-chariot drawn by hippocamps. Both on my "want list," and both incredibly hard to find in decent condition.

[DonnaML]

I managed to narrow my selection from 24 down to 10, mostly by eliminating my examples of types that have already been posted and written about by others since yesterday. As fond as I may be of the reverses on most, just as much as I am of the 10 I'm posting.

Here are the first 5:

1.  Roman Republic, A. Postumius A.f. Sp.n. Albinus (Aulus Postumius Albinus, son of Aulus [mint magistrate ca. 96 BCE], and grandson of Spurius [Consul 110 BCE]), AR Serrate Denarius, 81 BCE. Obv. Draped bust of Diana right, with bow and quiver over shoulder, figure of stag’s head at end of bow (horns to left), bucranium above [off flan] / Rev. Roman priest standing facing on rocky ground (on Aventine Hill), head left, with right arm extended holding aspergillum, sprinkling heifer, bull, or ox* which he is about to sacrifice, a lighted altar between them, A POST - AF - SN • ALBIN [AL in monogram] around. Crawford 372/1, RSC I Postumia 7, Sydenham 745, Sear RCV I 296 (ill.), Michael Harlan, Roman Republican Moneyers and their Coins, 81 BCE-64 BCE (2012) (“RRM I”) Ch. 1 at pp. 1-7, BMCRR I 2836. 18.54 mm., 3.85 g.  Ex Spink & Sons Ltd. (before 2000 because of address on Spink coin tag; probably before 1974 given citation to Sydenham but not Crawford.)  

* Crawford and Sear identify the animal as a bull, RSC as an ox. For the heifer identification, see RRM I (using this coin-type as the cover illustration for the book) at pp. 3-4. Harlan argues that in the legend which, as Crawford acknowledges, is the basis for the reverse of this coin -- namely, the sacrifice to Diana on the Aventine Hill founding her temple there ca. 500 BCE, establishing Rome as the caput rerum for all of Italy [and symbolizing the victory of Sulla over the rebel Italians in 82 BCE] -- the sacrificed animal was a heifer with wondrous horns, not a bull or an ox.  (Harlan's citation is to Livy, The History of Rome, Book 1, ch. 45 [available at http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.02.0145%3Abook%3D1%3Achapter%3D45].) 

2.  Roman Republic, A. Postumius A.f. Sp.n. Albinus (Aulus Postumius Albinus, son of Aulus [mint magistrate ca. 96 BCE], and grandson of Spurius [Consul 110 BCE]), AR Serrate Denarius, 81 BCE, Rome mint.  Obv. Veiled head of Hispania right, with disheveled hair; HISPAN behind / Rev. Togate figure standing left, raising right hand towards legionary eagle to left; fasces with ax to right; A •/ ALBIN/ N • S [AL in monogram] across fields; POST • A • F in exergue. Crawford 372/2, RSC I Postumia 8 (ill.), Sydenham 746, Sear RCV I 297 (ill.), BMCRR Rome 2839-42, Harlan RRM I Ch. 1 at pp. 6-7 [Harlan, Michael, Roman Republican Moneyers and their Coins, 81 BCE-64 BCE (2012)]. 19 mm., 3.92 g., 6 h. (Purchased from Brad Bowlin; Ex.“old French collection in Paris.” Double die-match to Die AB for type, Roman Republican Die Project, Schaefer Binder 5, p. 193-0; see http://numismatics.org/archives/ark:/53695/schaefer.rrdp.b05#schaefer_372-2_b05_p193.) *

 

* RSC I (p. 82), and BMCRR (p. 352 n. 1) agree that the coin may relate to the praetorship of the moneyer’s ancestor Lucius Postumius Albinus (Praetor 180 BCE) over Spain, his successful expeditions against the Vaccari and Lusitani, and the levying of troops for this campaign. Crawford concurs, stating (Vol. 1 at p. 389) that “the reverse, combining a togate figure on the one hand with an eagle and the fasces on the other, perhaps simply alludes to civilian and military imperium; taken with the obverse type, the reference is doubtless to the Spanish command of L. Postumius Albinus, Pr. 180.”

Harlan also details the victories of Lucius Postumius Albinus in Further Spain, and his triumph in Rome in 178 BCE. RRM 1 at p. 7.  However, Harlan also ties this coin to contemporary events, namely the fact that after Sulla’s victory over Marius, there remained one bastion of Marian resistance to Roman imperium, namely in Spain, where the governor, Sertorius, refused to obey the Senate, establishing an independent state and a refuge for the defeated Marians.  Sulla sent an army against Sertorius in late 82 BCE, although the conflict continued at least until 80.  Sertorius found his greatest support among the Lusitanians; hence the relevance (beyond the moneyer’s family history) of L. Postumius Albinus’s victories over the Lusitanians a century earlier. Id. at pp. 6-7. Thus, according to Harlan, the “unnamed togate magistrate flanked by the fasces and the legionary eagle is a symbol of Roman imperium. Postumius’ coin shows that Spain, represented by Hispania on the obverse, must also recognize Roman imperium and embrace Rome as the head of things just as Italy had done. Id. at p. 7. (See this moneyer’s other coin, Crawford 372/1, and its theme of Rome as caput rerum for Italy.  RRM I Ch. 1 at pp. 1-6.)

3. Roman Republic, Q. Caecilius Metellus Pius, AR Denarius, 81 BCE. Obv. Head of Pietas right, wearing diadem; below chin, stork standing right / Rev. Elephant standing left, wearing bell around neck; in exergue, Q•C•M•P•I [Q. Caecilius Metellus Imperator]. Crawford 374/1, RSC I Caecilia 43, Sear RCV I 301 (ill.), Sydenham 750, BMCRR Spain 43. 18 mm., 3.9 g.*

 

*See Sear RCV I at p. 128: “The issuer strikes as imperator in Northern Italy where he was campaigning on behalf of Sulla. The following year he was to be the dictator’s colleague in the consulship.” See also Crawford Vol. I p. 390: “This issue was produced by Q. Caecilius Metellus Pius, serving as a Sullan commander in the fight against Carrinas, Norbanus and Carbo. The obverse type [of Pietas] . . . alludes to his cognomen, acquired for his part in securing the restoration from exile of his father Q. Caecilius Metellus Numidicus.” The stork depicted in front of Pietas “is an emblem of family piety and an occasional adjunct of the goddess.” Jones, John Melville, A Dictionary of Ancient Roman Coins (London, Seaby, 1990) p. 243, under entry for Pietas.  (Apparently, the Romans believed that the stork demonstrated family loyalty by returning to the same nest every year, and that it took care of its parents in old age.) 

Crawford also states at Vol. I p. 390 that “[t]he reverse type of an elephant recalls the capture of Hasdrubal’s elephants by L. Caecilius Metellus in 251 [BCE]” (also commemorated by an elephant denarius of C. Caecilius Metellus Caprarius in 125 BCE; Crawford 269/1, RSC I Caecilia 14) (see the elephant denarius of Q. Caecilius Metellus Pius Scipio issued in 47-46 BCE; Crawford 459/1, RSC I Caecilia 47). The family was known for its opposition to Caesar.

4.  Roman Republic, C. [Gaius] Marius C.f. Capito, AR Serrate Denarius 81 BCE [Harlan: 81/80 BCE], Rome Mint. Obv. Draped bust of Ceres right, wearing earring, head bound with corn wreath, hair falling down neck; CAPIT• upwards behind, with legend followed by control number CI; control symbol (knife [Crawford, Table XXXIII at p. 395 ] or distaff [BMCRR p. 355]) to right of chin* / Rev. Husbandman/plowman left holding goad in right hand and plow in left, with yoke of two oxen plowing left with heads turned to face forward; horizontal test cut and control-number CI above; C•MARI•C•F / S•C [Senatus consulto] on two lines in exergue. Crawford 378/1c; RSC I Maria 9; Sear RCV I 300 (ill.); Sydenham 744b; BMCRR Vol. I 2855-2890 [Control-number CI is no. 2873]; Harlan, Michael, Roman Republican Moneyers and their Coins, 81 BCE-64 BCE (2012) [“RRM I”], Ch. 2 at pp. 8-13. 19 mm., 3.97 g., 10 hr. Purchased Feb. 21, 2021 from Nomos AG, Obolos Auction 18, Lot 468.**

 

*Crawford’s three sub-types of this issue (378/1a-1c) differ in the existence and placement of the control-symbols found on some of the coins in addition to the control-numerals found on all of them (with the obverse and reverse of a coin always bearing the same numeral except in the case of hybrids, which are almost uniformly fourrees). All three sub-types are numbered continuously: 1a bears the control-numerals from I to XXIII (with no control-symbols); 1b the numerals from XXVI to XXXII (with control-symbols in the exergue on the reverse) [examples of XXIV and XXV are not known]; and 1c the numerals from XXXIII to CLI (with control-symbols on the obverse beneath & to the right of Ceres’s chin). (See Crawford Vol. I p. 392; see also Table XXXIII, listing the known control-symbols at pp. 392-395.) Examples with 125 of the 151 control-numerals were known to Crawford, on 125 different obverse and reverse dies. Thus, no pair of control-numerals, or combination of control-numeral and control-symbol, has more than one pair of dies, and the six other examples of Crawford 378/1c with the control-numeral CI found on acsearch are all double-die matches to my example. Since Crawford was published in 1974, at least one coin with a previously unknown control-numeral (LXXXII) has been found, in the Mesagne hoard, bearing a tripod as its control-symbol.

** Regarding the general symbolism of a husbandman plowing with oxen, as depicted on the reverse of this coin, see Jones, John Melville, A Dictionary of Ancient Roman Coins (Seaby 1990) at pp. 121-122 (entry for “Founder”), explaining that the Romans “inherited a custom from the Etruscans of defining the boundaries of a new city by marking them with a plough,” so that certain coins showing plowing can be interpreted as a reference to the founding of colonies.

Regarding this coin-type in particular, Grueber states at p. 353 n. 2 of BMCRR Vol. I that “[t]he type of the head of Ceres [the goddess of agriculture] and the husbandman refers to the foundation of a colony” by Sulla’s veterans. Crawford disagrees, stating at Vol. I p. 392 that “I do not believe that there is any reference to Sulla’s colonies” on these coins, and that the obverse and reverse images simply complement each other. Harlan (see RRM I Ch. 2 at pp. 10-12) disagrees with Crawford and prefers Grueber’s interpretation, stating at p. 12 that this type “not only depicts the expectations of the veterans who were to receive land, but also expounds the benefits to be found in the return to peace, masking in bucolic tranquility the terrible exactions that procured the soldiers’ rewards. Besides the land given to the veterans in those new colonies established among the Italians, Sulla also had to pay his troops their back wages and maintain them until they were discharged. This special S•C issue may well represent some of that money distributed to the soldiers and the design on the coin also may be heralding the expected grants of land.” See also Sear RCV I at p. 128 regarding the S•C in the exergue on the reverse of Crawford 378/1c: “It would seem that during his term of office this moneyer was authorized by the Senate to effect a substantial increase in the originally-produced volume of his coinage.” (The first series of this type [Crawford 378/1a] does not bear the S•C, the only case in the Roman Republican coinage of the S•C being added to a type in the course of production during a given year.)

5.  Roman Republic, L. Procilius L.f., AR Serrate Denarius, 80 BCE. Obv. Head of Juno Sospita right, wearing goatskin headdress; behind, S•C downwards / Juno Sospita wearing goatskin headdress, standing in biga right with galloping horses, holding figure-eight style shield [prob. an allusion to the mythological Shield of the Salii priests, or ancilia] in left hand and brandishing spear in right hand; coiled serpent below horses; in exergue, L•PROCILI•F. Crawford 379/2, RSC I Procilia 2 (ill.), Sear RCV I 307 (ill.), BMCRR Rome 3150, Sydenham 772, Harlan, RRM I Ch. 4 at pp. 19-22 [Michael Harlan, Roman Republican Moneyers and their Coins, 81 BCE-64 BCE (2012)]. 20.05 mm., 3.97 g. (Purchased from Marc Breitsprecher, Oct. 2020.)*

 

* See Crawford at p.396, stating that the moneyer, Lucius Procilius son of Lucius, “is presumably to be identified with the Senator attested in 56 [citing Cicero] and with the man later condemned for misconduct in that year [also citing Cicero].” The presence of Juno Sospita on both sides of the coin “reveals the moneyer’s Lanuvine origin” (id.), as does the presence of the serpent, which “alludes to a sacred ritual performed at Lanuvium.” Harlan, RRM 1, Ch. 4 at p. 20.

Regarding the type of shield held by Juno Sospita and its connection to the ancilia, that connection is supported by David R. Sear, whose online Glossary of Frequently Encountered Terms in Roman Coin Descriptions (also found in each volume of the Millenium Edition of Roman Coin Values) states as follows: "Ancile a shield of distinctive form (narrow central section of oval shape with broad curving extensions at top and bottom). It was a particular attribute of Juno Sospita and was associated with the Salian priesthood of Mars." See https://www.davidrsear.com/academy/roman_glossary.html#Ancile. See also the discussion of the ancile at https://www.romanumismatics.com/historicarticles?view=article&article_id=509, with a photo of an example of an Augustus denarius (RIC 343) depicting two ancilia on the reverse.

[DonnaML]

Here are the other 5 reverses I chose:

6.  Roman Republic, Ti. Claudius Ti.f. Ap.n. Nero [Tiberius Claudius Nero, son of Tiberius and grandson of Appius], AR Serrate Denarius, 78 BCE, Rome Mint. Obv. Draped bust of Diana right with hair in topknot, bow and quiver over shoulder, figure of stag’s head at end of bow (horns to left), S • C [Senatus Consulto] before / Rev. Winged Victory driving galloping biga right, with horses’ heads straining forward, holding wreath in right hand and palm frond and reins in left hand, control number CXXXIIII beneath horses; in exergue, TI•CLAVD•TI•F [VD ligate] / [A]P•N [AP ligate] in two lines. Crawford 383/1, RSC Claudia 5, Sear RCV I 310 (ill.), Sydenham 770, BMCRR 3096-3113 [Control number CXXXIIII not included], Harlan, RRM I Ch. 8, pp. 36-39 [Harlan, Michael, Roman Republican Moneyers and their Coins, 81 BCE-64 BCE (2012)]. 18 mm., 4.01 g., 6 h.*

 

*The moneyer belonged to the patrician Nerones branch of the Claudii, and was the paternal grandfather of the Emperor Tiberius. Harlan, op. cit. at p. 36. See also https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tiberius_Claudius_Nero_(grandfather_of_Tiberius_Caesar).  Later on, according to Harlan, he served under Pompey in the pirate wars of 67 BCE, with his area of command the Spanish waters as far as the Pillar of Hercules. This coin was part of a large issue in two series, with control numbers in the first series running from I to CLXV, and in the second series using the letter A coupled with numbers 1 to CLXXXII. It is believed that this issue (like the large issue of Naevius Balbus in the previous year, Crawford 382/1, also showing Victory at the reins of a chariot, albeit a triga [one of my favorites, but I'm not posting it here because someone else wrote about it!]) represents money minted for the use of Quintus Caecilius Metellus Pius (the issuer of Crawford 374/1 in 81 BCE, with an elephant reverse) in Sulla’s Spanish war against Sertorius in 79 BCE. Id. Sear agrees; see Sear RCV I at p. 130.  

In 1904, Grueber posited in BMCRR that Diana’s appearance on the obverse of this coin was a reference to the Sabine origin of the gens Claudia, given Diana’s own Sabine origin. Crawford rejected this view, but Harlan agrees with Grueber; see RRM 1 at p. 37. He also notes that the inspiration for Diana’s portrayal on this coin must have been her depiction on the obverse of the coin of Aulus Postumius in 81 BCE (Crawford 372/1, with a reverse showing a heifer about to be sacrificed by a priest to Diana on the Aventine Hill): “the goddess is depicted in the very same style on both coins: her hair is tied in a knot on top of her head and the unmistakable attributes of bow and quiver are over her shoulder making the identity of the goddess certain. Claudius’ coin continues the theme of caput orbis terrarum [Rome as head of the world] so clearly expressed by Postumius. Diana, whose appearance on Roman coinage during the 70s was far more common than any other decade of Republican coinage, was emblematic of the extension of Roman imperium.” Id. 

7.  Roman Republic, M. [Marcus] Volteius, AR Denarius, 78 BCE (Crawford) or 75 BCE (Harlan). Obv. Head of Liber [Crawford, Harlan, Yarrow] or young Bacchus [see BMCRR, Sear] right, wearing ivy wreath / Rev. Ceres standing in biga of snakes right, holding torch in each hand, searching for her daughter Proserpina; behind, control symbol of thyrsus; in exergue, M•VOLTEI•M[•F]. 17 mm., 3.87 g. Crawford 385/3; RSC I Volteia 3 (ill. p. 100); BMCRR I 3160; RBW Collection 1416 (ill. p. 291); Harlan RRM I Ch. 12 pp. 66-68 [Michael Harlan, Roman Republican Moneyers and their Coins, 81 BCE-64 BCE (Vol. I) (2012)]; Yarrow pp. 168-169 & ill. p. 170 fig. 4.8 [Liv Mariah Yarrow, The Roman Republic to 49 BCE: Using Coins as Sources (2021)]. Purchased 8 Aug 2022 from Lucernae Numismatics, Alcala la Real, Spain.*

 

* This coin, depicting Liber (or Bacchus) on the obverse and Ceres in a biga of snakes on the reverse, searching for Proserpina -- one of five coins issued by M. Volteius as moneyer during that year -- relates, like the other four Volteius coins, to one of the five principal agonistic festivals which were celebrated annually at Rome. This one relates specifically to the Ludi Cereales, the games of the goddess of grain, held from 12 to 19 April each year. See Harlan RRM I p. 62 (citing Mommsen); see also Yarrow pp. 168-169:

 “Crawford suggests [Vol. I p. 402] that the issue is anticipating the moneyer’s campaign for an aedileship and encodes a promise of largitones, or generosity, in his potential staging of the games. Yet, different magistrates oversaw each of these games: the ludi Cereales fell under the purview of the plebeian aediles; the ludi Romani under the curule aediles; and the ludi Apollinares under the praetor urbanes. The moneyer cannot be campaigning for all simultaneously. Instead, we might want to think about this series as a miniature fasti (calendar) or symbolic representation of the religious year.”

Regarding the design of this type, the identification of the obverse head as Bacchus or Liber would ordinarily be immaterial. See Jones, John Melville, A Dictionary of Ancient Roman Coins (Seaby, London, 1990) at p. 33 (entry for “Bacchus”): “For the Romans . . . . [Bacchus] was generally identified with the Italian deity Liber, whose name is probably derived from the same root as the word ‘libation,’ suggesting that in Italy he was an earth or vegetation spirit who could be worshipped by pouring offerings upon the ground. . . . Bacchus appears rarely upon Roman imperial coins (and when he is given a name, he is called Liber). He is shown as a youthful male figure, nude or partly draped, perhaps with a wreath of ivy leaves.” On this type, however, given the reverse design of Ceres searching for her daughter Proserpina (see below), a specific identification of the obverse as Liber is important because of the play on words with “Libera”: see Jones, op. cit. at pp. 167-168 (entry for “Libera”), explaining that Libera “is an alternative name for Proserpina the daughter of Ceres,” noting “the building of a temple to Ceres, Liber and Libera after the city had been saved from famine in the 4^th century BC.” See also Harlan RRM I pp. 67-68, stating that the ivy wreathed head of Liber “was intended to recall the dedication of the temple of Ceres, Liber and Libera built at the foot of the Aventine near the Circus Maximus where the games of Ceres were held. The temple was dedicated in 493 on 19 April, which in Republican times was the closing day of the festival.”

The reverse design, depicting Ceres in a biga of snakes holding two torches, evokes “the well-known story of the abduction of Ceres’ daughter Proserpina by Pluto and the world-wide search made by Ceres to recover her,” a myth that “explains the yearly cycle of food production” and was originally an ancient Greek myth “adopted by the Romans when they assimilated the Greek Demeter with their native Ceres.” Id. p. 67. The story is recounted by many ancient authors, in both its Greek and Roman versions. See the quotations collected by @Roman Collector at https://www.numisforums.com/topic/1193-faustina-friday-%E2%80%93-snake-biga-edition/#comment-20720. Thus, I will limit myself to a quotation from Ovid, Fasti, Book IV, April 12: The Games of Ceres (A.S. Kline verse translation, 2004, at https://www.poetryintranslation.com/PITBR/Latin/OvidFastiBkFour.php#anchor_Toc69367858 ). This portion recounts the beginning of Ceres’ search, as she leaves her home of Sicily, flying over the waves in a chariot drawn by two yoked serpents, holding two torches in her hands to light the dark:

“Like the bird mourning for her lost Itys.

Alternately she cried: ‘Persephone!’ and ‘My daughter’,

Calling and shouting both the names in turn,

But Persephone heard not Ceres, nor the daughter

Her mother, and both names by turns died away:

If she spied a shepherd or farmer at work,

Her cry was: ‘Has a girl passed this way?’

Now the colours faded, and the darkness hid

Everything. Now the wakeful dogs fell silent.

High Etna stands above vast Typhoeus’ mouth,

Who scorches the earth with his fiery breath:

There the goddess lit twin pine branches as torches:

And since then there are torches handed out at her rites.

There’s a cave, its interior carved from sharp pumice,

A place not to be approached by man or beast:

Reaching it she yoked serpents to her chariot,

And roamed the ocean waves above the spray.”

Harlan suggests that a reenactment of this story was probably a part of the ceremonies of the Ludi Cereales, which (as Ovid mentions in the quotation above) included the passing out of torches to the populace as they entered the Circus Maximus. Harlan RRM I at p. 67.

Finally, the control-symbol behind Ceres on the reverse is unquestionably a thyrsus, despite the unusual spear-like point at the bottom end. Compare with the more common depiction of a thyrsus (with no point at the bottom end) used as a control-symbol on the obverse of my specimen of Crawford 385/4 (the M. Volteius type depicting Cybele in a biga of lions on the reverse), behind the head of Attis or Corybas. However, out of the 60+ control-symbols listed for the snake biga type in Crawford (see Table XXXIV at Crawford Vol. I p. 400), the thyrsus is the only possibility for the symbol on my specimen, spear-point notwithstanding. I found at least 17 other examples of the thyrsus control-symbol for this type at CRRO, all with a spear-point at the bottom. Note that the common association of a thyrsus with Bacchus must be a mere coincidence in this case, given that the thyrsus is only one of a great many control-symbols used.

8.  Roman Republic, M. [Marcus] Volteius, AR Denarius, 78 BCE (Crawford) or 75 BCE (Harlan). Obv. Helmeted, draped bust of young deity (Attis or Corybas [male] or Bellona [female])* right (with Phrygian[?] helmet bound with laurel-wreath, and long flowing hair beneath helmet); behind, control-symbol of thyrsus** / Rev. Cybele, wearing turreted crown [off flan] and veil, in biga of lions right, holding reins in left hand and patera in right hand; control mark Θ (Theta) above**; in exergue, M•VOLTEI•M•F. 17.5 mm., 3.89 g. Crawford 385/4; RSC I Volteia 4 (ill. p. 100); BMCRR I 3185 (specimen with control-marks thyrsus & Θ); Sear RCV I 315 (ill. p. 131); RBW Collection 1417 (ill. p. 291); Harlan RRM I Ch. 12 pp. 62-66 [Michael Harlan, Roman Republican Moneyers and their Coins, 81 BCE-64 BCE (Vol. I) (2012)]; Yarrow pp. 168-171 (ill. Fig. 4.9 at p. 171) (Liv Mariah Yarrow, The Roman Republic to 49 BCE: Using Coins as Sources (2021)]. Purchased 6 April 2022, Künker [Fritz Rudolf Künker GmbH & Co. KG, Osnabrück, Germany] Auction 367, 6 April 2022, Lot 7-793; ex Artemide Auction LIII, 2-3 May 2020, Lot 212.***   

 

*The authorities disagree on the identity of the obverse bust, whether it is male or female, and whether it can be identified at all. See Crawford Vol. I pp. 400, 402 (“The identity of the obverse type of 4 is uncertain; Attis . . . Corybas . . . and Bellona . . . are suggested, in every case without decisive evidence”) (citations omitted); Sear RCV I 315 at p. 131 (no identification); Yarrow at p. 171, Fig. 4.9 (“uncertain long-haired divinity”); RSC I at p. 100 (“Attis or young Corybas”); BMCRR I 3179 at p. 390 (“Attis(?)”); Harlan RRM I at p. 64 (“most likely Attis”); Künker Auction 367, Lot 7-793 description (identifying the obverse as Bellona, the Roman goddess of war, citing Hollstein, Wilhelm, Roman Coinage in the years 78-50 BC [Die stadtrömische Münzprägung der Jahre 78-50 v. Chr.] (Munich 1993) p. 10, for the theory that the obverse refers to Sulla’s temple restorations or new constructions, including the probable new erection of a Bellona altar on the Capitol and the construction of the Bellona Temple near the Porta Collina).

Regarding Hollstein's theories on Sulla, see the generally unenthusiastic review by Jane DeRose Evans in the American Journal of Numismatics, Vol. 7/8 (1995-96), pp. 289-293, at https://www.jstor.org/stable/43580271?seq=1, characterizing it at p. 290 as “a book that some numismatists may find helpful,” and noting at p. 293 that “Not everyone will agree with his insistence on seeing references to Sulla or Pompey in many coin types (I myself remain skeptical in several cases, as Sulla especially seems to have far too many tutelary deities).” Absent any general adoption by scholars of Hollstein’s theory, I think that Attis or Corybas would seem to be more likely identifications than Bellona, given their connections to Cybele, the deity portrayed in the lion biga on the reverse. By contrast, I am not aware of any thematic connection between Bellona and Cybele. Thus, Attis was a “Phrygian god, the companion of the Great Mother of the Gods (see Cybele), who castrated himself, died and was brought back to life again.” See Jones, John Melville, A Dictionary of Ancient Roman Coins (London, Seaby 1990), entry for “Attis” at p. 28.  Corybas was “the son of Iasion and the goddess Cybele, who gave his name to the Corybantes (Koribantes), or dancing priests of Phrygia.” See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corybas_(mythology). See also Jones, op. cit., entry for “Corybant” at p. 74, defining the term as “a male follower of the goddess Cybele. Since the Corybants celebrated her rites by leaping and dancing, clashing weapons and cymbals, they are sometimes confused with the Curetes of Crete, who used to engage in similar activities.”

**Regarding the obverse control-symbol on my coin of a thyrsus (a staff covered with ivy, topped with a pine cone, associated with Bacchus and his followers), and the reverse control-mark of a Θ (Theta), see Crawford I p. 399, explaining that “a given control-symbol on [385/]4 is always paired with the same control-numeral; no pair of control-marks has more than one pair of dies.” For the control-mark pairings attested as of Crawford’s publication in 1974, see Crawford’s Table xxxv at Crawford I p. 401, listing the Thyrsus and Θ as a known combination (citing Paris, A 16891). See also BMCRR I 3185 at p. 391, citing the British Museum’s specimen of the same pairing.

***The generally-accepted interpretation of the depiction of Cybele in a biga of lions on the reverse of this coin (together with the portrayal of Cybele’s companion Attis or her son Corybas on the obverse), is that it refers to one of the five major annual games celebrated in the Roman Calendar, specifically the Ludi Megalenses honoring Cybele – just as the designs of the four other types issued by Marcus Volteius in 78 BCE (Crawford 385/1-3 & 5) referred to four other major games, the Ludi Cereales (Ceres), the Ludi Apollinares (Apollo), the Ludi Romani (Jupiter), and the Ludi Plebeii or Herculani (Hercules). See Crawford I p. 402; Harlan RRM I pp. 62-67 (and specifically pp. 63-66 regarding Cybele and the Ludi Megalenses). See Yarrow pp. 168-169: “Crawford suggestes that the issue is anticipating the moneyer’s campaign for an aedileship and encodes a promise of largitones, or generosity, in his potential staging of the games. Yet, different magistrates oversaw each of these games; the ludi Cereales fell under the purview of the plebeian aediles; the ludi Romani under the curule aediles; and the ludi Apollinares under the praetor urbanus. The moneyer cannot be campaigning for all simultaneously. Instead , we might want to think about this series as a miniature fasti (calendar) or symbolic representation of the religious year. For all we know, the moneyer may have originally intended to strike types for other festivals and for one reason or another simply never did; not all of the five types were struck in equal proportion, those in honor of Apollo being represented by the fewest known dies [see the die totals for each type at Crawford I p. 399].”

Specifically concerning the Ludi Megalenses, see Harlan RRM I at pp. 63-66:

“The Ludi Megalenses held between 4 and 10 April were the first games of the calendar year. Volteius represented these games with the depiction of a male head wearing a Phrygian helmet on the obverse and the goddess Cybele driving a cart drawn by a pair of lions on the reverse. Cybele, also known as the Great Mother, was a Phrygian goddess whose frenzied rituals were quite foreign to Roman sensitivities. [Lengthy quotation on subject of Cybele from Lucretius’s poem On the Nature of Things omitted.] The Phrygian followers of Idaean Cybele were called Corybantes, but in Latin literature they were frequently confused with the Curetes, who concealed infant Jupiter’s cries on Mount Ida in Crete. It may be one of these Corybantes who appears to be represented on the obverse of Volteius’ coin, but more likely it is Attis, the young consort of Cybele. He is usually depicted in Phrygian trousers fastened with toggles down the front and a laureate Phrygian cap. His act of self-castration is the reason why Cybele’s priests were eunuchs and why in Rome Cybele’s worship remained distinctly Greek in character and was maintained by Greek priests. Romans were prohibited by decree of the Senate from taking part in the priestly service of the goddess. Even the name of the games remained Greek, derived from Megale Mater meaning Great Mother. The goddess did not become part of the Roman pantheon until 204 [BCE]. In that year the Sybilline books were consulted because, according to Livy, it had rained stones more than usual that year. In the books a prophecy was found that if the Romans ever wished to drive out a foreign enemy who had invaded Italy, they would be successful if they should bring Cybele, the Idaean Mother of the Gods, from Pessinus to Rome. [Lengthy description omitted of transportation of Cybele to Rome, with cooperation of Attalus of Pergamum, who had recently become an ally of Rome.] The day of her installation was 4 April 204 and games were held in her honor for the first time. The specific contests of the first games were not recorded, but scenic games were added for the first time . . . in 194. At some point in the development of the games, the re-enactment of the goddess’ reception into Rome became part of the ceremonies. . . .

Volteius’ coin depicts Cybele in her typical Greek aspect rather than as the sacred stone that was brought to Rome. She wears a mural crown and drives a cart pulled by a pair of lions, beasts once common to Phrygia.”

9.  Roman Republic, L Lucretius Trio, AR Denarius, 76 BCE. Obv. Laureate head of Neptune right, XXXIIII  [34?] above and trident behind/ Rev. Cupid (or Infant Genius) on dolphin right; L LVCRETIVS TRIO. Crawford 390/2, Sydenham 784, RSC I Lucretia 3, Sear RCV I 322 (ill.), Harlan, RRM I Ch. 16 at pp. 98, 100-103 [Michael Harlan, Roman Republican Moneyers and their Coins, 81 BCE-64 BCE (Vol. I) (2012)], BMCRR Rome 3247. 19 mm., 3.9 g.

 

10.    Roman Republic, L. Farsuleius Mensor, AR Denarius, Rome 75 BCE [Hersh & Walker 1984: 76 BCE; Harlan RRM I: 77 BCE]. Obv. Bust of Libertas right, draped and wearing diadem, earring with triple drop, and necklace, with her hair rolled back, collected into a knot, and falling over her neck; behind bust, S • C • downwards above pileus [cap of liberty];  before bust, MENSOR upwards / Rev. Warrior [or: Roma or Mars] holding spear and reining in biga right with left hand; with right hand he assists togate figure at left into biga; below front hooves of horses, control-numeral XX[V?]; in exergue, L•FARSULE[I].  19 mm., 3.94 g. Crawford 392/1b, RSC I Farsuleia 2 (ill. p. 47), BMCRR I 3293 et seq,, Sear RCV I 329 (ill. p. 133), RBW Collection 1431 (ill. p. 293), Harlan RRM I Ch. 10 at pp. 49-53 [Michael Harlan, Roman Republican Moneyers and their Coins, 81 BCE-64 BCE (Vol. I) (2012)], Sydenham 789.  (For dating, based on hoard evidence, see Hersh & Walker 1984 Table 2 [Charles Hersh and Alan Walker, “The Mesagne Hoard,” Museum Notes (American Numismatic Society), 1984, Vol. 29 pp. 103-134 (1984)], RRM I, op. cit. p. 48.) Purchased 2 Jan. 2022 from Goduto Giuseppe, Heemskerk, Netherlands.*

 

*Moneyer: Crawford states at Vol. I p. 406 that L. Farsuleius Mensor is “not otherwise known,” although “his cognomen [Mensor], with its associations with distributions of land, perhaps indicates popularis sympathies. See George Davis Chase, “The Origin of Roman Praenomina,” Harvard Studies in Classical Philology, Vol. 8 (1897) [available at https://www.jstor.org/stable/310491], pp. 103-184 at p. 111 (“Mensor” derives from the word for “measurer”).

Control-Numerals & S • C • : As Crawford also explains (id.), whereas type 392/1a has a scorpion on the reverse beneath the horses, with control-numerals from I-LXXII on the obverse, type 392/1b bears the control-numerals from I to CXX on the reverse beneath the horses, with no scorpion. For both varieties, “no control-numeral has more than one die” – indicating an original total of at least 192 die combinations, which “must have produced a rather large number of denarii” (Harlan RRM I at p. 51).

The specific control-numeral appearing on the reverse of my specimen is partially worn away, but clearly begins with “XX,” and shows at least one additional numeral, with a top bar above it extending leftward to cover the top of the right leg of the second “X.”” On the assumption that there was only one die per control numeral, I have examined all the die photos available at the Roman Republican Die Project on CRRO for 392/1b control-numerals from 20 (XX) through 39 (XXXIX) [see pp. beginning at http://numismatics.org/archives/ark:/53695/schaefer.rrdp.processed_300-399#schaefer_clippings_output_392-1b_07_od]. The only die that appears to be a reverse die match to mine (and probably an obverse die match as well) is the die bearing the number 25 (XXV), examples of which can be found at pp. 392-1b_08 and 392-1b_14. If one examines this photo of the five clearest examples of that die, together with my specimen (which is in the second row, far right), it is evident that the horses’ back hooves on all of them, just as on my specimen, rest directly above the “V” in FARSVLEI in the exergue – the only die from XX through XXXIX for which this is the case, with the others resting considerably farther left in relation to the letters in FARSVLEI:

Given the size of the issue and the presence of “S • C •” (Senatus Consulto) on both varieties -- and as a basis for his date of 77 BCE for the issue -- Harlan suggests that the first variety may have been authorized by the Senate in connection with payment of the troops used in Pompey’s suppression of Marcus Aemilius Lepidus’s revolt in 77 BCE following the death of Sulla (posing a threat to peace and liberty; see the obverse depiction of Libertas). (Id. at pp. 50-52.) According to Harlan, the second variety may have been authorized to pay the additional expenses of keeping the troops under arms while Pompey led his army to Spain in 77-76 BCE to reinforce Quintus Metellus Pius in the war against Sertorius. (Id. at pp. 52-53).

Interpretations of Figures and Scene on Reverse: The armed figure on the reverse assisting the togate figure into the biga has been variously interpreted as a warrior (Sear RCV I and the RBW Collection), Mars as a warrior (Crawford), Roma (RSC I), Roma or a warrior (BMCRR I), the Genius of the Roman people inviting the Genius of Italy to enter her chariot (id. p. 402 n. 2, citing the 18^th-century scholar Joseph Eckhel), and even as the recently deceased Sulla in his role as a successful Roman general, having trampled Asia, represented by the scorpion beneath the horses on 392/1a (id.). The togate figure has been seen as representing civilians in general, or specifically the Italian citizens outside Rome who became citizens in 90 BCE after the Social War (thus the “Genius of Italy” interpretation), with the entire scene alluding to peace and reconciliation between soldier and civilian and/or between Rome and the rest of Italy after the Social War and subsequent civil war.

See, e.g., Crawford Vol. I pp. 406-407, opining on the meaning of the obverse and reverse taken together:

“The most insistent pressure in the 70s was for the restoration of the powers of the tribunate, demanded in the name of libertas, and it does not seem unreasonable to regard the obverse type as expressing sympathy with this demand. The warrior on the reverse is clearly male [rejecting the view that the figure represents Roma] and should probably be regarded as Mars ([given] the constellation Scorpio as the astrological ‘house of Mars’ [an allusion to the scorpion beneath the horses on 293/1a]); the reverse type as a whole suggests the notion of peace and reconciliation between soldier and civilian and perhaps alludes sympathetically to a second objective of some politicians in the 70s, the assimilation of the new citizens enfranchised after the Social War.”

(Citations omitted.) I am by no means certain that the armed figure is as “clearly male” as Crawford asserts.

In a partially different view, stated at BMCRR I p. 402 n. 2, Grueber characterizes as both “ingenious” and “probable” Eckhel’s theory that the types “allude to the lex Julia which was promulgated during the Social War (B.C. 90), and by which the right of citizenship was granted to all Italians; hence the representation of Libertas on the obverse, and on the reverse, Roma, or the Genius of the Roman people, inviting the Genius of Italy to enter her chariot.” (See also RSC I p. 47, citing the same theory of a reference to the lex Julia.)  After citing other theories (including the Sulla theory mentioned above), Grueber states that it is, at the least, “quite possible that the types of these denarii relate to the Social War or to the more recent struggle between the Marian and Sullan parties.” Id.

At RRM I pp. 49-50, Harlan summarizes the various interpretations (citing Crawford, Eckhel, and Grueber), and concludes that the specific symbolism is essentially immaterial given how clear the overall theme appears to be:

"[A] reasonable interpretation does not demand precise identification. . . . The contrast between armed and unarmed figures dominates on Farsuleius’ coin. . . . Whether the figures represent Rome and Italy or soldier and civilian, the notion of peace and reconciliation can be seen in the joined hands of the two figures [on the reverse]. The same idea will be seen again on the reverse of the joint issue by [Q. Fufius] Calenus and Cordius [possibly P. Mucius Scaevola] [Crawford 403/1, dated to 70 BCE], where an armed Roma, identified by inscription, clasps the hand of an unarmed Italia, identified by inscription. Farsuleius . . . expressed the same Sullan sentiments about peace and liberty.”

[Edessa]

Roman Republic. P. Satrienus, 77 BC. AR Denarius (18mm, 3.84g, 11h). Rome mint. Obv: Helmeted head of young Mars right; XXXVIII to left. Rev: She-wolf standing left with paw raised; ROMA above; in exeruge P SATRIE/[NVS]. Ref: Crawford 388/1b; Sydenham 781a; Satriena 1; RBW 1422 var. (control). Good Very Fine. Iridescent toning, scratch. From the DMS Collection. Ex CNG e531 (26 Jan 2023), Lot 755.

[Qcumbor]

10 hours ago, DonnaML said:

As fond as I may be of the reverses on most, just as much as I am of the 10 I'm posting.

Although all are nice and interesting, the most appealling to me are the Volteius and the Lucretius Trio.
Great selection

Q

[lrbguy]

13 hours ago, DonnaML said:

I managed to narrow my selection from 24 down to 10, mostly by eliminating my examples of types that have already been posted and written about by others since yesterday. As fond as I may be of the reverses on most, just as much as I am of the 10 I'm posting.

 

 

The research you are posting with these is most impressive.  Can't tell if you are using mostly hard copy or online resources.  Is Republican a particular area of specialization for you?

 

Nice job.

Edited July 13, 2023 by lrbguy

[DonnaML]

2 hours ago, lrbguy said:

 

 

The research you are posting with these is most impressive.  Can't tell if you are using mostly hard copy or online resources.  Is Republican a particular area of specialization for you?

 

Nice job.

Thank you. I do particularly enjoy collecting Roman Republican coins, because there's so much to learn and write about with respect to almost every single issue. They represent 87 of my 436 ancient coins -- far fewer than my Roman Imperials, and about the same number as my Roman Provincials, but enough that I suppose you could reasonably call them an area of "specialization."

I own hard copies of most of the catalogs and other books about Republican coins that I cite, such as Crawford (both volumes), BMCRR (all three volumes), RSC I, Sear RCV I, Harlan (both volumes), Yarrow, the RBW Collection, the collection of Mattingly's articles, E.E. Clain-Stefanelli's book Life in Republican Rome on its Coinage, etc. But I've also downloaded copies of quite a few journal articles I've found online dealing with Roman Republican coins, by Hersh & Walker, Lockyear, and so on. And I usually check the Roman Republican Die Project on CRRO, at numismatics.org, and various other online resources. Any time I buy (or consider buying) another Roman Republican coin, I always try to consult all these resources, and draw on them in writing up the coin.  Each writeup  can be a major undertaking requiring a great deal of research and writing time, so there's sometimes a rather long delay between the time I receive the coin and my posting about it.

Edited July 13, 2023 by DonnaML

[DonnaML]

Time for the 69-50 BCE period. Here's my virtual tray for that period -- not so many as the last couple of periods, so it won't be quite as difficult to choose my favorite reverses from among them.

[Qcumbor]

For this time period too, I can narrow down my choice to two coins. 

The cestianus for its winged caduceus, the wings seeming like elephant heads

 

And the Cassius Longinus for showing a voting citizen, voting being the quintescence of a republic, even though in such a case it can be regarded as a bit ironical or hypocritical

Of course we are showing reverses this time, but both have gorgeous obverses as well IMO

Q

[Al Kowsky]

[lrbguy]

I've been running late, of late, so I'll sneak in my four little pieces before it's too late.  Been trying to do that lately.

58    BCE

Cr. 422  M. SCAVR,         P.HVPSAEVS AED. CVR.      3.86g

 

denarius 1b

 

Camel r.; before: kneeling figure holding reins in L hand and olive branch in R. hand.
Above: M SCAVR       Behind: EX      before: SC
             AED CVR
Obv exergue: REX ARETAS

Jupiter in quadriga to l., reins in R hand, thunderbolt in L.
Above: PHVPSAEVS    below: scorpion  In exergue: C HVPSAE C[OS] (partly off flan)
                 AED CVR                                                         PREI[VER]

[missing on right:  CAPTVM (upwards)]

The obverse notes the surrender of King Aretas of Nabatea to M. Aemilius Scaurus two years before he becomes Praetor.   

 

57    BCE

Cr. 424        C. CONSIDI NONIANI        3.67g

denarius

Bust of Venus laureate, diademed and adorned hair.
Behind: C. CON[SIDI NONIANI] downwards;  before: S.C upwards

Mountain, temple atop, surrounded by wall with gate.  Above gate: ERVC

The reverse temple represents the Temple to Venus at Eryx [here Ervc](in Spain) which Crawford argues is reference to Pompey's victory of the Colline Gate near the Roman temple to Venus at Erycina.  By this imagery the moneyer expressed sympathy with the Pompeian claim to have succeeded Sulla as the favorite of Venus.

For me the coin is an important addition to my specialized collection of Gate iconography on Roman coinage.

 

56    BCE

Cr. 427          C. MEMMI C.F        3.74g

denarius

Head of Ceres, grain diadem, r   before: C. MEMMI. C.F

Trophy; before, kneeling captive with hands bound behind
on r. C. MEMMIVS (down)   on left:  IMPERATOR

Crawford suggests that the figure of Ceres on the obverse alludes to the first celebration of the Ludi Cereales about 211; whereas the reverse imagery alludes to victories in Bithynia and Pontus by the moneyers uncle.  

 

 

55    BCE

Cr. 429      P. FONTEIVS P.F CAPITO      3.83g

Bust of Mars helmeted and draped, with trophy over shoulder behind;
arching around beneath front to back:  P. FONTEIVS. P.F.  -  CAPITO. III. VIR

Horseman to r., thrusting with spear in R hand at warrior below, who is thrusting a sword at disarmed combatant (to r is a helmet and shield)
Above: [MV](lig) FO[NT](lig).TR. MIL

By virtue of the figure of Mars on the obverse, Crawford reads the image as a battle scene in which the horseman is attempting to rescue the figure whose body armor has been removed and is threatened by the armed figure with raised shield.  But the fact that the shield and helmet of the armed figure is identical with that of disarmed man, as well as a the scale difference between the rider and the two battle figures, and the fact that neither end of the shaft being held by the horseman is visible, suggests that these are unrelated elements in the battle iconography.

 

Edited July 13, 2023 by lrbguy
fixed the weights

[Octavius]

Faustus Cornelius Sulla, c.  BCE with Hercules and reverse of four coronae commemorating Pompey's triumphs....

Denarius of Lucius Junius Brutus and Gaius Servillius Ahala...c.  BCE.

I believe thr portrait of Ahala would be considered the reverse on this one...

[Octavius]

M. Plaetorius M. f. Cestianus.
Denarius 69,  Draped female bust r.; behind, unidentified symbol. Rev. M PLAETORI CEST S·C Half-length bust of Sors facing, holding tablet inscribed SORS. Babelon Plaetoria 10. Sydenham 801. RBW –. Crawford 405/2.

[CPK]

Probably my most interesting reverse from this time - one of the famous "Muses" series denarii, a pun on the moneyer's name:

 

[Octavius]

P. Licinius Crassus M.F. Ar denarius, 55 BC, Rome mint. Diademed and draped bust of Venus r., S.C behind, rev., P. CRASSVS M.F. Soldier standing l., holding spear and leading horse by bridle; cuirass and shield below 

I love this reverse , but for the life of me I can't figure out what the "M.F." stands for! Be nice!

[lrbguy]

7 minutes ago, Octavius said:

M. Plaetorius M. f. Cestianus.
Denarius 69,  Draped female bust r.; behind, unidentified symbol. Rev. M PLAETORI CEST S·C Half-length bust of Sors facing, holding tablet inscribed SORS. Babelon Plaetoria 10. Sydenham 801. RBW –. Crawford 405/2.

 

Hmmm.  Not sure what to make of it.  Both sides of this coin are a far cry from what Crawford illustrates at 405/2 in plate L.  It conforms in a crude way to what he describes, but not what he shows.  Have you seen another like this somewhere?

 

 

[DonnaML]

1 minute ago, Octavius said:

P. Licinius Crassus M.F. Ar denarius, 55 BC, Rome mint. Diademed and draped bust of Venus r., S.C behind, rev., P. CRASSVS M.F. Soldier standing l., holding spear and leading horse by bridle; cuirass and shield below 

I love this reverse , but for the life of me I can't figure out what the "M.F." stands for! Be nice!

M.f. = son of Marcus or Marius, I believe.

[Octavius]

 Cestianus denarius with Vacuna and reverse of Roman Eagle, c. 9 BCE...

[Octavius]

 Lepidus c.61 BCE, with reverse of horseman with trophy.

 

[AETHER]

@DonnaML every post is a history lesson, kudos.

[Ryro]

This is when the rails come off the tracks and we get loads of fun RR reverse! Here's a few. 

P Sulpicius Galba
 - Emblems Denarius. 69 BC. Rome mint. Obv: veiled head of Vesta right; SC behind. Rev: knife, simpulum and axe dividing AE - CVR legend across fields; P GALB in exergue (off flan"). Craw. 406/1; Syd. 839; RSC Sulpicia 7; Sear 345.3.53 grams.Found Romney Marsh, Kent area, 2000s. 
Fine. Ex Timeline

A Sea creatures series, sign me up! Most likely minted to celebrate an unknown Sea victory by an ancestor, this type is one of my very favorite of the Republic:

Q. Crepereius M.f. Rocus (69 BC). AR serratus denarius (19mm, 1h). NGC Choice Fine, bankers marks. Rome. Draped bust of Amphitrite right, seen from behind; Sea anemone (erroneously listed as oenochoe by Heritage) left, I right / Q•CREPER•M•F / ROCVS, Neptune driving biga of hippocamps right, brandishing trident in right hand, reins in left; I above. Crawford 399/1b. Sydenham 796. Crepereia 1. Ex: CNG 261 lot 239 Aug 2011, Auctiones GMBH #67 March 2020, Purchased from Heritage Feb 2022. From the Werner Collection.

Creperius, Rocus

Denarius. 68 BC. Uncertain mint. (Ffc-657). (Craw-399-1b). (Cal-522). Obv: Bust of the back of the Sea Goddess to the right, C to the right, to the left crab. Rev .: Neptune with trident, in biga pulled by hippocampi to the right, below Q CREPER M (F) / ROCVS. Ag. 3.61 g. Usually struck off center. Very scarce. VF.

Ex: Tauler & Fau

Ummm, a series devoted to the Muses and it's a pun on the moneyers name!? Gimme them all!

Q. POMPONIUS MUSA. Fourrée denarius (56 BC). Rome.
Obv: Laureate head of Apollo right; sceptre to left.
Rev: Q POMPONI MVSA.
Melpomene standing left, wearing sword and holding club and mask.Cf. Crawford 410/4 (for prototype).Fine.2.95 g, 17 mm. Numismatik Naumann Feb 2021

Q. POMPONIUS MUSA. AR, Denarius, 56 BC. Rome.

Obv: Laureate head of Apollo right; two crossed tibiae to left.

Rev: MVSA / Q POMPONI.

Euterpe (Muse of Music and Lyric Poetry) standing right, resting on column, holding two flutes.

Crawford 410/5.

Condition: VF.

Weight: 3.62 g. Purchased from Bucephalus Oct 2022

Q. POMPONIUS MUSA

Denarius (56 BC). Rome.

Obv: Laureate head of Apollo right; star to left.

Rev: Q POMPONI / MVSA.

Urania standing left, holding wand and touching globe set upon base.

Crawford 410/8.

Fine. 3.24 g. 18 mm.

Purchased from Numismatik Naumann May 2023

Faustus Cornelius L.f. L.n. Sulla

56 B.C.E. AR fourrée denarius (18.5 mm, 3.15 g, 7 h). Rome mint. Bust of Hercules right, in lions skin; SC behind / Globe between jeweled wreath and three triumphal wreaths. Cf. Crawford 426/4b; Cf. Sydenham 884; Cf. RSC Cornelia 62. aVF. Rare.

 

 

 

 

 

[Octavius]

3 hours ago, lrbguy said:

 

Hmmm.  Not sure what to make of it.  Both sides of this coin are a far cry from what Crawford illustrates at 405/2 in plate L.  It conforms in a crude way to what he describes, but not what he shows.  Have you seen another like this somewhere?

 

 

 There is a great deal of variation in this particular issue, many with poor strikes and flat areas as well.

Unfortunately this is a rather poor photo of my coin; it does not look as "harsh" in hand. The reverse very much resembles the example in Wildwind for Plaetoria gens. Mine weighs 3.9 gms and was purchased from Artemide auctions in San Marino( very reputable). Upon close exam, it is definitely struck.

this is from wildwind and to me resembles my coin in hand,in spite of my poor photo.