I purchased this coin on a whim a few weeks ago, mainly because I know nothing about Saguntum. I also like the scallop shell obverse. A little research turned up this information about Seguntum: During the 5th century BC, the Celtiberians built a walled settlement on a hill overseeing the plain of Arsaos. The city traded with Greek and Phoenician coastal colonies, and minted its own coins. During this period the city was known as Arse. By 219 BC, Saguntum was a large and prosperous town, which sided with the local Greek colonists and Rome against Carthage, and drew Hannibal's first assault, his siege of Saguntum, which triggered the Second Punic War. After stiff resistance over the course of eight months, related by the Roman historian Livy and in more detail by Silius Italicus, Saguntum was captured in 219 BC by the armies of Hannibal. Seven years later the town was retaken by the Romans. In 214 BC, it became a municipium, was rebuilt and flourished. Saguntum minted coins under the protection of Quintus Sertorius, but continued to house a mint in later Roman times. The Romans built a great circus in the lower part of the city and a theatre seating 8000 spectators. Texts found indicate that the city had an amphitheatre and had about 50,000 inhabitants. In the early 8th century, the Muslim Arabs came and the city became part of the Caliphate of Cordoba and at that time the city reached an era of splendor, with baths, palaces, mosques and schools open for its cosmopolitan population. Then, the town was known as Morvedre (Morviedro in Spanish), a name derived from Latin muri veteres "ancient walls." In 1098, the city was conquered by El Cid but the Muslims recovered it shortly thereafter. The city had been under the Muslim Arab rule for over five hundred years when James I of Aragon conquered it in 1238. It's not pretty with much of the patina fractured. However, it is an interesting coin considering the history. SPAIN, ARSAOS/SAGUNTUM AE Sextans OBVERSE: Scallop shell REVERSE: Dolphin right, three pellets above, script below (resembling D/|\IS) Struck at Saguntum, Mid 2d Century BC 4.12g, 18mm Sear Greece I, 27
Very nice! I have no Celtiberians... Interesting how the sea shell theme as a currency is in many early coin types worldwide.
Bing, Excellent coin and write-up. I like the fact that dolphins are a recurring theme in Iberian coins, sometimes appearing as an after thought and at other times as a dominant element. Looks like this one is getting on my want list!
That's a very cool coin, big bro (congrats) ... I love the colourful eye-appeal ... oh, and a scallop and a dolphin never hurt either, eh? => sweet score!! Ummm, the closest pile-on example I have is probably one of my Syracuse babies ... Syracuse, Sicily, AE18 357-344 Female head & Dolphin/Scallop
Congrats Bing!! Like everyone else, I think it's a terrific coin and I love your write-up....It looks ancient and so VERY COOL!!! LOVE the devices and patina!!!! I'd happily add it to my collection!!
Very cool jw, love the color and i love Scallops,.. here we go again,whats better than scallops, bacon wrapped scallops..Yum
I love the coin simply because it comes from the city of Arse. Now that is funny! We have Jimbo to thank for returning the city to its rightful owners!!! Good coin.
