I just received this coin which isn't going to win any beauty contests. The picture is truly better than the experience in hand. I bought it, however, because it's interesting. And I think reasonably scarce. Crawford put this coin as a post Actium issue, but from what (little) I've read it appears that the preponderance of opinion puts it prior to the navel engagement of Naulochus in 36 BC where Octavian's fleets under the command of Agrippa finally put an end to the antics of Sextus Pompey around Sicily. An example was recently sold in the RBW leftovers through CNG (though not as nice). Looking through my old auction catalogues, you rarely see it in the plates. I'm thinking it's not easy to find nicer. Babelon priced it at 50 Franc, which was a tidy sum compared to other coins. Octavian. 36-35 BC. AR Quinarius. Uncertain mint. Galley with rowers sailing right / Victory advancing left, holding wreath, palm frond, and rudder. Babelon Julia 132 (50fr), RIC I (1st ed.) 9; CRI 315A; Sydenham 1339; BMCRR Africa 38; King 83; RSC 94.
I quite like it. To think an engraver had to work on such a small die and still was able to achieved something close to brilliance with that obverse.
I have found from whom you got it..just by luck..I was not looking for it.....so that is costly small one, but very nice indeed.
If you don't care for the looks of it in hand, I will gladly make you an offer. I think all the devices on this coin are detailed enough to make it a wonderful addition.
Remarkable detail for a quinarius. Your idea of beauty contest winners is obviously different than mine.
It is a very special coin and hard to come buy. It has been missing from auctions of quite a few major collections. What a beauty! Congratulations!
Thank you so much for the kind words, everyone. I was probably a bit too harsh on it, probably setting expectations for Volodya to roll out some pristine FDC example. Seriously, the picture does a nice job of bringing out the detail. My eyesight isn't the best anymore and trying to see the detail of small coins in hand isn't as easy as it used to be. Merry Christmas everyone.
An interesting and rare quinarius. And I agree with others on it being "reasonnably nicely preserved" Q
Carthago, your quinarius is in King, Roman Quinarii (2007), as Republic 83, with only 3 examples, and the illustrated example, example c, is worse than yours. For many other Republican quinarii types she lists 20 or so published examples, so yours is rare.
Heh. This coin was pointed out to me when it was first offered. I noted that since Crawford considered the type post-Actium and didn't include it (although he most likely SHOULD have), it isn't something I need to include in my Crawford-based collection either. So no example, FDC or otherwise. It's a desirable coin though, reasonably priced. Enjoy it! Happy Holidays veryone!
