Really, I'm not being crude. I just received this large, Ass Series, AE As in the mail. ROME, The Republic. Ass Series, 169-158 BC. AE As (27.59 grams; 30 mm). Obverse: Laureate head of Janus. I (mark of value), above. Reverse: Prow right; Ass above; I (mark of value) before; ROMA below. Crawford 195/1; Sydenham 298. Ex RBW duplicates; purchased by RBW from Kurt Spanier, 17 Jan 2003.
That's a very attractive example!! I'd happily add that to my collection!!! AN ass on a AS... and a big one at that--- LOL, you gotta love it!!!
That is why I quit collecting moderns ... just way too boring and stale. (except for gold, for gold's sake)...
Hey, I have been trying to identify an ancient coin for a while, and I think that I may have the same type!!! (in a much lower grade) Thank you, and nice coin by the way.
Post a picture and we can probably tell you. There are many many types with various symbols above the prow.
How does it compare to the example in the RBW book, if the type is listed? I'm not near my copy now. I can't imagine it is much better.
Brandon, You should post a picture of your coin here, including size and weight. The Roman Republic minted different series of this denomination for centuries, all bearing the Janus head/prow motifs, largely unchanged except for weight, minor symbols and certain style elements. We might be able to help you narrow down the possibilities.
Oddly, I think this duplicate is considerably better than the Ass As that was included in NAC 61. The NAC coin is graded near VF, and is a bit off-struck and off flan. My RBW duplicate is full VF and more complete. The surfaces of this duplicate are also a bit better than the NAC coin. I'm not sure why that coin was picked over this for the NAC sale!
I'm a boring fellow.........the wife falls asleep when I try to explain things.....the mail man yawns when I tell him I'm in love with an expected package.......my kids could care less
This is the example from the RBW sale(NAC 61 lot 833). I tend to agree with @Carausius that his example is much more desirable. The market seems to agree as well, considering his example went for over 2.5x what the NAC 61 example went for.
Wow, Carausius => man, that is a gorgeous ass As you have there!! (work that thang!!) I have been trying to score myself a piece of As ass myself, but sadly that particular prow symbol has proven to be quite illusive!! Ummm, but I have managed to score a few cool AS prow symbols (wanna see 'em?) Your sweet Ass AS My big AS featuring "Sucklin' twins" My big AS featuring "Gryphon" My big As featuring "Fly" => man, your new OP-trophy looks amazing next to my other sweet examples, eh? (ummm, Secret Santa is just around the corner, my coin-friend) ... just jokes ... again Carausius, congrats on scoring that amazing OP ass-example (I really want to find myself one of those sweet burros!!)
