I recently received an auction winning in the mail. An early Roman quinarius, Crawford 44/6, in very nice condition, and characteristic style represented by Crawford's plate IX.11. My wife tries to seem interested whenever I receive a new coin and she always asks to see them when they arrive. I showed her my new prize and although the new coin great eye appeal in-hand, her reaction was an enthusiastic “meh”. She has claimed that most of the coins in my collection kind of look the same. I guess they do. So I then presented to her, the related coins in a small sub-collection of these early Roman coins together in a tray which coincidentally filled each space neatly. I was able to describe the small sub collection in a way that was much more interesting, explaining the different comparative style patterns, denominational dimensions, and other relationships, and while I had her ear, some history about the origin of the denarius during the Hannibalic war. This actually elicited questions from my wife, who finally said “They ARE different.” I was gratified. Crawford 44, Variety match of the denarius, quinarius, and sestertius. Reverse: Column 1 Group 1 – Crawford plate IX.10-12, Small head with 2-line visor Column 2 Group 1 var. Similar style, but Wide head and 3-line visor. Column 3 Group 3 – Crawford plate IX.16-19 Unbound hair “loose locks” Column 4 Group 2 – Crawford plate IX.13-15 Very long curved visor, reverse horse tail hanging down Column 5 Group 2 var. – Similar. This style often found with dot below truncation. Die links are known between groups 1 and 3, so probably the same mint with different engravers. Die studies found no cross variety die links for either group 2 or 2var. so probably different mint and/or location. Share your small sub collections, complete or in the works.
Ha! We just love to prove our wives right, don't we. My wife is very supportive and much like this rush of rich new ancient collectors loves the "pretty" coins over some that I am passionate about. Beauuutiful coins BTW I used to update these but haven't in at least a year, maybe 2. But here is a hair of the dog...and they all look VERY different to me:
My wife once asked me, honey, why are you so in love with your coins. To which I explained, you see this Aureus, it was struck at the Rome Mint in 219 AD. She then asked me, why it looked like it was minted yesterday. I then told her, a "coin keeps its radiant beauty forever, unlike other things in life". Now she knows the truth.
I have several Sub-Collections, many were by accident. This is not a common set of Ancient Etruria: 20-Asses: (Similar to a Roman AR Didrachm / Heavy Denarius) Etruria, Populonia 3rd Century BC Silver 20-Asses 8.1g, ovoid 16.6mm x 20mm Obv: Facing head of Metus, hair bound with a diadem, X:X below Rev: blank Sambon 47; HN Italy 152 10-Asses: (Similar to a Roman AR Denarius) Etruria Populonia AR 10 Asses 20mm 4.21g 211-206 BC Obv: Male Hd Rev: Blank die break 5-Asses: (Similar to a Roman AR Quinarius) ETRURIA, POPULONIA. Etruria Populonia AR 5 Asses 2.0g 3rd C BCE Obv: Young Head L, V (denomination) behind Rev: blank HN 173 Vecchi Rasna III 52 ex NAC 29 No 9 RARE 2-1/2 Asses: (Similar to a Roman AR Sestertius) 2-½ asses , AR 0.85 g 3rd century BC Obv: Radiate female head r.; behind, CII. Rev: Blank. Ref: EC 104 (misdescribed, Female head with an Attic helmet). Historia Numorum Italy 179. NAC Comment: Of the highest rarity, apparently only the second specimen known. Dark patina and about very fine. Ex: From the collection of E.E. Clain-Stefanelli 1-As: (Similar to a Roman AR - nothing - only Bronze in Roman Currency) Etruria Populonia AR 1 As 0.60g 10.0mm after 211 BCE Obv: Male Head Left Rev: Plain Rev Ref: Vecchi 3 68-70 HN Italy 181 Seller/Auction comment: EXTREMELY RARE
That's a beautiful set of RR denarii! I guess the subspecialty for me are owls and their imitations. No real die matches here, with an exception or two. That's really the only "systematic" subspecialty of mine, other than getting into trouble! It's nice that your wife is taking an interest in the collection. Shared interests are very important. My wife's only comment, in essence, was "What are you going to do with all of these coins?" A legitimate question for sure, which I am still pondering.
@Ryro great cohesive collection, and wonderful presentation layout with a theme spanning more than 500 years. Thanks for sharing.
@Alegandron I became (semi) aware today. This is a remarkable group of rare coins contemporary to the Roman denarii I presented in this thread. And from a civilization just up the road but independent from Rome. They appear to follow the same weight standard as the denarius. These have flown completely under my radar. Your post has influenced me to learn more about the coinage of Etruria. Thanks
Good luck! And, Enjoy! It was/is very fun to learn and acquire. Fascinating Empire prior to Rome’s rise.
Early Central Italy coinage (as well as Rome) included Aes Grave, Aes Formatum, Aes Seguntum, and Aes Rude (and others). Aes = Bronze. I imagine As was a derivative of Aes. As (originally weighing 1 Libral Pound) was their main unit name for their currency, composing of 12 Unciae. Later, as they brought in Silver, 10 Asses was a Denarius. AES GRAVE ROMAN Republic Aes Grave Issue, Æ Quadrans, 59.82g Mint of Rome Anonymous issue; ca. 269-242 BCE Obv: dog walking left, three pellets below Rev six-spoked wheel, three pellets between Ref: Cr 24/6a; Thurlow-Vecchi 34 Comments Dark green patina, fine. Ex: from the David Sellwood Collection AES FORMATUM Oscan-Latin Aes Formatum scallop shell with Ribs 4th BCE AES RUDE Italia Aes Rude - bronze ca 5th-4th Century BCE 29.7mm 32.4g roughly an UNCIA
Fugio, I know that feeling of disappointment you must have felt after showing your wife that handsome quinarius . Some people have no feeling for ancient history or ancient artifacts like coins. I recently showed some ancient coins to a friend who is a retired school bus driver. He told me after seeing some mint state coins that "they couldn't be real because they show no wear, so they must be fake" . My feeling after that comment was more than disappointing, it bordered on rage . But so be it... Anyway, your display of coins in the felt trays looks great .
You know, I have been blessed to have traveled or have lived in various cultures during my lifetime. I live in the States. I wonder: we live in such a “disposable” society. Perhaps many folks in a disposable society have no true perspective on longer lasting items. I wonder if the concept of something lasting for a much longer time, is mentally discarded that “it must be a fake”....
