Newp: L. Procilius serrate denarius

I've never bought anything from FORVM before, but they recently posted this beautiful denarius from the Andrew McCabe collection at what I felt was a very fair price and I quickly snapped it up. From FORVM's description of the significance of Juno Sospita, pictured on this denarius:

"In Roman mythology, Juno was the daughter of Saturn and the wife of Jupiter. Among her many attributes was Juno Sospita, who offered protection to women, accompanying them throughout their lives from birth to death. She was often called upon by infertile women to aid in conception. Juno Sospita had two temples at Rome, but her most famous temple was at Lanuvium. Her statue there, as described by Cicero and as depicted on coinage, wore a goatskin coat with a goat-horned headdress. This statue may the one now at the Vatican. Her attribute, the serpent, inhabited a grotto near her temple, and was fed annually by a young girl, who, if a virgin, escaped unharmed, but if not, was destroyed."

Crawford only lists two types from gens Procilia, both of which were issued by this same moneyer and both of which feature Juno Sospita on the reverse(the other features Jupiter on the obverse). The designs on his denarii seem to imply the moneyer hails from Lanuvium, but there are no other historical sources for this that I am aware of. Crawford believes that he is likely the same Procilius that Cicero records being prosecuted and condemned for misconduct in the year 56 and in fact may even be the historian Procilius.



Roman Republic L. Procilius AR Serrate Denarius(3.895g, 19.3mm). Rome, 80 BC. Head of Juno Sospita right, wearing goat-skin headdress; S•C behind / L PROCILI F, Juno Sospita, holding spear and shield, in biga right; serpent below. Crawford 379/2; Sydenham 772; Procilia 2.

Image credit goes to Roma Numismatics who captured the beautiful toning better than I ever could have. Additionally, a picture of the coin when it was in McCabe's collection is available here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/ahala_rome/8274479293/sizes/h/

 

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Andrew has amazing coins, good grab. Lovely coin too.

 

Wow, red_spork!! => that's a sweet AR RR example!!

I always love the good ol' Juno Sospita obverses!! (congrats on a great addition)

 

Excellent, nice newp Rspork.

 

very nice. Great acquisition.

 

Wonderful score! I'd like to get something from McCabe's collection and keep an eye out when Roma sells his spares.

 

Great example! I've purchased two coin from FORVM. Be aware, while their photos show details well, you'll be pleasantly surprised when your coin shows up. I'm not sure what they do but I suspect the lighting they use is a little harsh so they can show any and "issues."

When it shows up, you'll love it. It looks like a great coin and I'm a little jealous! Well done!

 

This one actually did show up today. The image above was not FORVM's image but one from a previous Roma auction, but I noticed as well that FORVM's image of this coin was quite unflattering. I probably would not have bought it on FORVM's image alone actually.

 

To be honest I didn't look at the picture very well, just enough to get a sense of the coin. I was merely trying to bolster your confidence in a purchase you didn't have in hand yet...or at least that's what I was trying to convey. Sorry.

Your image is very good and better than I can do! It's a great pick up and I'm a little jealous~

 

Oh don't worry, I know what you meant! I was just saying that I agree, FORVM's images are certainly unflattering.

 

Nice coin. I have a similar one and I've always thought it looked like someone playing the violin or cello.

L PROCILIUS ROMAN REPUBLIC; GENS PROCILIA
AR Denarius
OBVERSE: Bust of Jupiter right, SC behind
REVERSE: L PROCILI F, Juno Sospita advancing right with sheild, spear aloft and serpent before
Struck at Rome 80 BC
3.7g, 19mm
Cr379/1, Syd 771, Procilia 1

 

Great coin and great provenance. FORVM and CNG desaturate their images, presumably so that they highlight the details and surfaces. Also, it's good business when your buyer is pleasantly surprised when he opens his mail.

 

Again red_spork, that's a great OP coin ...

=> here are a couple of my cool Juno Sospita obverses ...

 

Those are some great denarii, Steve. I think of all the depictions of Juno Sospita on those, the L Rosci is probably my favorite. Not sure why.

 

wow, that's a lovely serrate denarius RS!

 

Doing further research and found a die match that I thought I'd share. Back in 2012 CNG sold a coin from the Bruce R. Brace collection that is an obverse and reverse die match:
Obverse animation:


Combined image with mine on top, CNG's below:


I always really enjoy finding these because the coins are almost like "brothers" possibly struck only a few minutes or hours apart.

 

cool stuff, red_spork!!

 

Like everyone else, I LOVE that coin!!!!

I tend to try to add a new RR purchase that is distinctive , unusual or simply different than the rest I own.....and a serrated denarii of Juno certainly fits the bill. Congrats again!!!!

Hmmm, Bing's Jupiter/violin concerto is another

 

Nice work with the animation comparing the two coins, Spork.

I enjoy the Andrew McCabe sales as they often include some scarcer RR and Imperatorial issues in more affordable grades. A few I've managed to pick up...


C. Norbanus
Venus/Prow-stem, fasces, caduceus, corn ear.


L. Plaetorius L. f. Cestianus
Juno Moneta/Victorious boxer running


Q. Crepereius M. f. Rocus
Amphitrite/Neptune in a biga of hippocamps


Mark Antony 'Legionary' denarius
LEG XII ANTIQVAE

 

I'm particularly jealous of your McCabe hippocamp biga.