Ancient - C.Claudius Pulcher

I know the reverse on this coin is one of those considered ho-hum by many. Very common "biga" reverse. However, I thought the detail on this coin was sufficient enough to make me want to place it in my collection.

C.Claudius Pulcher AR Denarius
OBV: Head of Roma r., wearing helmet decorated with circular device
REV: Victory in biga r., holding reins in both hands; in exergue, C. PVLCHER
Struck at Rome, 110-109 BC
3.76g, 19mm
Cr300/1, Syd 569, Claudia 1



I have tried to research the history behind this coin, but I haven't found anything to share other than this little blurb about the time frame when it was struck:

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Very nice indeed. I don't consider the reverse ho-hum at all. I haven't sallied into RR territory yet, save for one fouree, but my starter coin would probably be one with a well-executed biga reverse.

 

It seems "Caius" and "Gaius" are interchangeable, at least according to some sources. Could it be this guy?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gaius_Claudius_Pulcher_(consul_92_BC)

 

There are so many RR coins with "biga" reverses, it seems to make this particular reverse more than common. But the detail is there and that's what drew me to the coin (OK, the price had something to do with it).

 

Is there some sort of definitive study on RR's? I have a few books that have smatterings of RR coins, but no analysis, etc. What's the best reference for these?

 

Beautiful coin & I have no prejudice against these types so long as its attractive looking and this one is.

 

me either, i dig those...nice one bing.

 

=> man, what a boring coin!!



Just jokes, my friend ... the chariots are amongst the coolest RR's (I have one or two examples as well) => hey, they're animal coins!!

Sweet, sweet chariot!!

Great score (congrats)

 

Great addition! Looks good for a"ho-hum" coin

 

A collection need some bigas and some Romas, just not all of the many moneyers that used the type. Since we want at least a few, why not pick a nicely drawn one like Pulcher who made 'pretty' coins. I did, too. Considering the date of the coin and the date of the consulship, I strongly suspect this is the same man. Moneyer was a job for the entry level bureaucrat who hoped to go up through the ranks and be consul eventually. The math works here.

The name was Gaius but the standard abbreviation was C. Don't ask me why other than the fact that the language probably did not distinguish between C and G until after the abbreviation was standard. Also note that the third letter in the Greek alphabet was gamma so the Latin name was probably pronounced with a soft C not a guttural K like we often hear now. Our modern name Guy retains that pronunciation.

 

Beautiful coin Doug. I agree. Some bigas and Romas are required in any collection of RR coins. And, again, I agree the design of these "Pulcher" denarii is much better than many of their counterparts. I really do appreciate this coin for it's beauty and artistry.

Thanks to all for the kind comments.

 

Quiz time: Sometimes there is another reason to buy a common Roma/quadriga coin. The style is not bad but not as good as the biga Pulcher. Who can point out why I wanted this type (nothing to do with condition, extra horses, driver or price)?

 

Because of jupiter in the quadriga instead of victory? Or maybe the D mark?

 

Here is my RR Chariot ...

 

jw, awesome coin, just a little rub, but looks real good.....any time you get a CC coin is a good day...

 

That is a particularly well detailed Minerva on the reverse. Note the breast plate details.

 

Thanks ... yah, I really like that coin (it was one of my very first Roman Republic coins)

 

I don't know and I'm anxiously awaiting the answer.

 

Same here. I'm guessing it has something to do with the D below the horses' legs. I went to your website, Doug, to see what I could learn about the various marks on these RRs but didn't find a direct answer there. Looked at that moneyer on wildwinds and other places and the only thing I noted was that I found no others with that D. Other letters, yes. Most of them in a different position.