Anonymous Didrachm / Quadrigatus

Thanks Joe. I always enjoy browsing through your wonderful collection.

 

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Nemo, your quadrigatus-didrachm is absolutely outstanding!

Cataloging it is a bit difficult, since it could either be Crawford 28/3 or 29/3. Crawford's Roman Republican Coinage gives identical descriptions to these coins, with the following exception:
28/3: ROMA incuse on tablet or in relief in linear frame
29/3: ROMA incuse on tablet or in relief on tablet
Since yours is incuse on tablet, it could be either!

To make the matter even more confusing, the book has photos...just like your coin (with incuse on tablet)....some are Crawford 28/3 and some are 29/3. So I guess you get to choose!

I offer my example as comparison; it is clearly Crawford 28/3, since ROMA is in relief in linear frame.


Regardless of the Crawford number, your coin is superb!

 

WOW! @Nemo and @ancientcoinguru ! You both have fantastic examples of the Didrachm Quadrigatus! I agree with Nemo...I always think of the soldiers who buried their pay prior to the battle, hoping to retrieve it later...with those HUGE losses inflicted by Hannibal, it may be the only way we were able to see the coins today...
I have a Quadrigatus Didrachm and a Half-Quadrigatus Drachm, but not nearly the stunning example of the OP or the great specimen that ACG shows above. Mine are a bit worn and circulated. PERHAPS, mine were owned by a SURVIVOR and was able to go back and retrieve his stash?


Roman Republic
AR Quadrigatus Didrachm (215-213 BCE)
20.5mm, 5.6g
OBV: Beardless Janiform (thought to represent the Dioscuri being beardless)
REV: Iupiter and Victory in galloping quadriga RIGHT (hence the Quadrigatus designation instead of Didrachm), ROMA in linear frame
REF: Sear 32; Crawford 29/3 (please help if I mis-referenced...)

 

Roman Republic
AR Half-Quadrigatus (216-214 BCE)
17.7mm, 3.2g
OBV: Beardless Janiform (thought to represent the Dioscuri being beardless)
REV: Iupiter and Victory in galloping quadriga LEFT (to distinguish it from Quadrigatus Didrachm), ROMA in ex
REF: Sear 35

The descendant coins of the Half-Quadrigatus Drachm was the Victoriatus, which was a Roman Drachm or approx 3/4 of a Denarius... Generally thought to be used in trade with Magna Graecia (Southern Italy Greek Cities).

 

I also recently captured my "Ugly Coin". I love this as it was difficult to find, but is within the Roman Didrachm series...



Roman Republic
AR Didrachm (275-270 BCE)
17.7mm x 20.7mm, 7.2g
OBV: [ROMANO] to left, meaning "Of the Romans", Laurel head of Apollo l
REV: Horse galloping r, Star above
REF: Sear 23; Crawford 15/1

 

Once again, I find myself lusting after your coins. I don't have a half-quadrigatus drachm, but I want one!!

 

Also within the Roman Didrachm series...

Anonymous Romano-Campanian Coinage 280-276 BC
AR didrachm of Metapontium - 7.09gm - 20 mm
Obv: Helmeted Mars head left
Rx: horse head right
Ref: Crawford 13/1, Syd 1 (R5), Sear22

Also a somewhat "ugly coin" but gorgeous to me!

 

@ancientcoinguru I sense we have a lot of complimentary RR coins. Between us, we would have a fun collection. (Our Quinarii, as an example)

I was shocked that I won the Half-Quadrigatus Drachm, but was "disappointed" at the time that I could not find a full Quadrigatus. I later found out that I won the really difficult capture with the Half!

I am still on the prowl for Aes Grave (and MANY others)... and, LOL, unfortunately we all get restricted by the Crises/Opportunity "STRIKE-ESS" figure... $$$

 

LOL!!! I have been LOOKING for that one!!! NICE JOB!!! Well done!

 

Maybe we should put an exhibit together one day, since our collection does seem to complement each other. BTW -- I have been looking for an affordable half-quadrigatus drachm for over 10 years, so you did good with your win!!
I have a bunch of aes grave, but am struggling with how to photograph them properly. Just got an iPhone, so perhaps that will help...

 

Does anyone else have any of the early Roman Republican silver minted before 211BC? I’d love to see them, since I only have the 2 shown in this thread.

 

An excellent coin, Nemo. Here's mine which I think you've seen before but others haven't on this board.

 

Some of you guys have such nice coins like this from Carth. It almost makes me reluctant to post my poor examples.

 

But Bing, in bizarro world, our poor examples are the only ones worth seeing!

Seriously though, I believe every ancient coin deserves a collector. I love some of my junky common coins more than some of my pretty ones. Anyway, you said "almost", so post away!

 

Almost is correct. I still show my budget examples. I just try not to post them too close to some of these gorgeous examples.

 

Please don't feel that way!! There is a collection for everyone out there and we're all interested in seeing everyone's coins.

And believe me, there are much better coins out there than mine. Look at the coins Phil Davis posts for instance.

 

I feel the same way when it comes to Greek coins or the Roman emperors -- you have many coins nicer than those I can show. So please don't be reluctant, show your examples...which will encourage new members of this group such as myself to do the same!

 

A-C-G, Absolutely gorgeous!!!

I'd LOVE to have it!!!!

In fact I love all those posted!!

Alas, No RR denarii before 211 BC

 

Carthago, I never get tired of admiring that quadrigatus! One of the best examples and in the finest style!

Ancientcoinguru, I agree with your conclusions on the Crawford numbers, a cataloging hybrid. Nice to see your example as well.

Although this is one of my finest coins, it has been consigned at Forvm, although not yet listed. I fell in love with it at first sight but it just doesn't fit in with my main collecting focus of Roman Imperial and Judean coins.

 

WHAT?!?! Earmuffs everyone! Nemo's talking dirty!



Seriously, a great coin but it's probably worth a pretty penny so it will free up some $$ for new purchases.

I guess we can overlook the outrage of casting this beauty outside the city walls without fire or water in the pursuit of specialization.