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Sale 72
February 2-5. 2013
| Hunter - Roman Republican Coinage |
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| Lot |
Photo |
Description |
Realized |
Lot 4115 |
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Anonymous moneyer. Silver Didrachm (6.85g) minted at Rome, 270-265 BC. Diademed head right of young Hercules, with long sideburn; club and lion's skin over right shoulder. Reverse: ROMANO. She-wolf standing right, head reverted, suckling the twins Romulus and Remus. Sear 24; RSC 8; Craw 20/1; Syd 6. Attractively toned. Extremely Fine.
Silver was the principal metal of the Roman Republican coinage. The first Roman didrachms were produced about the time of King Pyrrhus' invasion of Italy at the behest of the Tarentines (280 BC) and were based on the currency of the Campanian city of Neapolis. This initial issue (Mars/horse's head) seems to have been produced at the Greek mint of Metapontum, while the earliest series from Rome itself, represented by this specimen, commenced about 270 BC. Appropriately, it depicts on the reverse the she-wolf suckling the twins Romulus and Remus, the first of numerous representations of this iconic image to appear on the Roman coinage throughout its seven centuries of existence. Doubtless, it represents the statue erected in 296 BC by the brothers Quintus and Gnaeus Ogulnius. Crawford suggests that the head of Hercules on the obverse may be that of Hercules Victor, highly appropriate for a coinage struck from the spoils of war. (Papirius Cursor had recently captured the wealthy Greek city of Tarentum).
Estimated Value $3,000 - 4,000.
The Hunter Collection; Ex Superior Stamp & Coin, NYINC Auction, December 8-9, 1995, lot 847.
View details and enlarged photos
| Realized
$8,913 |
Lot 4116 |
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Anonymous moneyer. Silver Quadrigatus (6.68g) minted at Rome, ca. 225-216 BC. Laureate Janiform head. Reverse: Jupiter brandishing a thunderbolt and holding a scepter, in a fast quadriga driven right by Victoria (Victory); ROMA incuse on raised tablet below. Craw 28/3 (mixed letter forms); RRC pl. IV, 10 (O); RSC 23a; cf. Syd 64c. Delicate, slightly bluish-gray toning. Extremely Fine.
Estimated Value $3,000 - 3,500.
View details and enlarged photos
| Realized
$4,255 |
Lot 4117 |
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Anonymous moneyer. Silver Quadrigatus (6.4g) minted at Rome, 225-216 BC. Laureate head of Janus; truncation slightly curved. Reverse: Jupiter, hurling thunderbolt from one hand and holding scepter in the other, in fast quadriga driven right by Victoria (Victory); ROMA incuse on tablet below. Craw 28/3; Syd 64; RSC 23. Some minute reverse deposit flecks. Struck on a nice large flan. Extremely Fine.
Estimated Value $3,000 - 3,500.
View details and enlarged photos
| Realized
$2,530 |
Lot 4118 |
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A. Postumius A.f. Sp. n. Albinus, moneyer. Silver Serrate Denarius (3.94g) minted at Rome, 81 BC. Veiled head of Hispania right. Reverse: Togate figure standing left, raising his hand; before, legionary eagle; behind, fasces with ax. Craw 372/2; Syd 746. Rich multi-color cabinet toning. Well detailed throughout. Superb Extremely Fine.
Estimated Value $1,000 - 1,300.
Ex RBW Collection; Private purchase from F.S. Knoblock in May 1965.
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| Realized
$834 |
Lot 4119 |
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C. Coelius Caldus, moneyer. Silver Denarius (3.9g) minted at Rome, 51 BC. C COEL CALDVS (on right), COS (below neck truncation). Bare head right of C. Coelius Caldus (consul 94 BC); to left, trumpet and spear; to right, below chin, vexillum inscribed HIS. Reverse: C CALDVS (downward on left), I / MP A X (on right, in four lines). Figure seated left preparing feast of Jupiter behind lectisternium flanked by two trophies and inscribed L CALDVS VII VIR EPVL in two lines; in exergue, CALDVS III V[IR]. Sear 405; Coelia 11. A splendid example of the rarest of C. Coelius Denarii. Well centered with uniform greyish-violet toning. Extremely Fine.
Issued about 51 BC, this handsome denarius of the late Roman Republic has a fine portrait of C. Coelius Caldus, one of the consuls for 94 BC. The moneyer responsible for the issue was the grandson of the consul, and the types of his coinage celebrate the achievements of this notable individual. These include his victory over the Salluvii in Gaul and his military successes as governor of Hispania Citerior. Also named on the reverse is a Lucius Caldus who may have been the father of the moneyer. The collegium to which he belonged had the duty of preparing a sumptuous banquet offered to the gods, symbolized by the table (lectisternium) pictured on the reverse.
Estimated Value $1,000 - 1,400.
The Hunter Collection.
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| Realized
$6,325 |
Lot 4120 |
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L. Valerius Acisculus, moneyer. Silver Denarius (3.91g) minted at Rome, 45 BC. Radiate head of Sol (Sun) right; behind, acisculus . Reverse: Diana Lucifera (or Luna) driving a galloping biga right. Craw 474/5; Syd 1002; Sear 473. Soft iridescent highlights. Superb Extremely Fine.
Estimated Value $1,000 - 1,300.
Ex RBW Collection; Private purchase from E. J. Waddell in May 1995.
View details and enlarged photos
| Realized
$4,600 |
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