Orbiana was the #1 roman on my want list, during the same week I got my #2 on my list, which is the roman republic denarius featuring "Rape of Sabines". Same scenario as Orbiana, many came went but this is the one that had the right price. Plus I liked the "Hoard Patina", which may turn off some. L. Titurius L.f. Sabinus. (89 B.C.) AR Denarius O: Bare head of King Tatius right, SABIN downward behind, TA in monogram before; R: Two Roman soldiers running left, each bearing a Sabine woman in his arms, L·TITVRI in ex. Rome 19mm 3.87g Crawford 344/1a,RSC I Tituria 2, Sydenham 698a, SRCV I 249 The reverse refers to the rape of the Sabines. This moneyer traced his descent form the Sabines and perhaps from KingTatius himself. -- Roman Silver Coins edited by David R. Sear and Robert Loosley
Cool piece Mat. If I ever get into RR more it definitely would be up pretty high on my list as well. I read an excellent writeup about the piece once, maybe in a CNG catalog. Very interesting.
This moneyer had a way with interesting historical pieces. A Roman maiden Tarpeia offered the Sabine attackers entry to the city in exchange for "what they bore on their left arms". She meant their gold bracelets but the Sabines, repulsed by her selling out her city, crushed her with their shields. She then was thrown from the Tarpeian Rock which then became the traditional place for execution of traitors to Rome. Both of these types show the part the Sabine enemies played in the early days of Rome as portrayed by a Roman of Sabine ancestry. If you have one; you need the other.
Ive been looking around for one but havent seen one with the price I am comfortable with. But I want this type too. Lovely toning on yours.
