Roman Republic, Dolphin

Been approx. a month that I have bought a new ancient, and I am still on the wagon. But below is a roman republic during my last buying spree. I rarely get republics but the price was right & I liked it despite being worn.


Mn. Cordius Rufus. (46 B.C.)
AR Denarius
O: RVFVS S.C., Diademed head of Venus right, two locks of hair falling down neck.
R: MN. CORDIVS, Cupid riding dolphin right.
Rome Mint
3.7g
18mm
Crawford 463/3; Sydenham 977

 

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That coin has wonderful character!

 

Ditto what JA said. It's a design I would like to have some day. Congrats.

 

Cool dolphin rider on a coin that has seen some living. Nice!

 

Indeed, Very neat coin Mat!

 

Indeed, Very neat coin Mat!

 

Fantastic new RR, Mat ... yah, that reverse is one of my favourites!! (very cool)

I have a sweet example as well ... sadly, my example is a bit off-flan

 

This is a good example of a coin that retains appeal long after it stops being high grade.

 

It's got just the right amount of wear on it that gives it a plus on character.

 

Cupid on dolphin! Cant get any better. Thanks for sharing. I will post mine as soon as i buy it.....later today!

 

Man, you're fast!

 

Thanks for the comments, everyone.

 

I love the Republican era Denarii... I focus my ancients in those. The history of Rome at that time was so rich... pushing aside a major rival (Carthage), wrestling with building an empire, and the popularii vying with the patrician class over who controls the government, representation and laws. This era was the crucible in which many laws and ideals were enfolded into many democratic governments and constitutions today. So much conflict at that time was what built Rome.

 

I image life in general was tough, but one can try to image what it might have been like to live during this era.

 

This is precisely what fascinates me about coin collecting - having a direct connection to ancient history by owning tangible metallic bits of it. It's impossible to describe this need to non-collectors, or people who simply aren't interesting in history.

 

I have read a bit about the times, and as Rome evolved through a City, to a State, to a Nation-State, then Empire, estimated lifespans of people became longer and longer. This is all on-top-of-my-flat-head, and I need to go substantiate my facts. However, I seem to recall average lifespans for "everyday" Romans approached closer to today's lifespans. However, during Dark Ages and Medieval periods, lifespans were 1/2 or less as to Roman and today's. That points to many factors that contribute to longer lifespans and perhaps healthy living. This is my fascination with the Ancient period...Outside modern history harnessing the electron (of course this leads to medical, technological, etc. advances), we really have not fundamentally advanced much. Just gained ACCESS to new tools (the electron, etc.)

 

John: You are dead-on! Exactly how I feel. When you have an ancient coin in hand, a Scythian arrow head, a Celtic Toric in hand, a Chinese Tripod from the Shang Dynasty and are able to relate this to the history...it is a REAL tangible.

 

Still a good lookin' coin Mat, looks like Cupid 's riding Charlie Tuna.

 

*edit* ... I like you guys ...

 

still attractive indeed mat, i dig that reverse.

not a denarius or a republican, but eros and dolphin was what attracted me to this rough little provincial of caracalla.