So the Carthiginians marched across Spain during the Second Punic War, led by Hannibal, with a mobile military mint. Here's a 1/4 Calco in quite good shape for such an itsy-bitsy thing. A question for those of you that know much more about the Punic Wars than I do: was all of the coinage issued by the Carthiginians in Hispania basically for trade between the soldiers? Or was it foisted upon the locals as well? Carthaginians in Hispania AE 1/4 Calco, 1.5g, 13mm; mobile military mint, 218-208 BC. Obv.: Wreathed head of Tanit left. Rev.: Crested helmet left, with cheek guards. Reference: Burgos 405
I don't have that answer off the top of my head, but I'm sure 'Al' or 'Red' probably do. I think it's a great coin!!
Just curious as to whether we're looking at ancient military trade tokens here, or something more widely accepted among the Celtiberians, who were in fact, already minting their own coinage. I lean toward military trade tokens.
There is no way possible to know the answer. One can only speculate. However, to my knowledge, these are all found in Spain, nowhere else. As such I would imagine they were local issues and not for widespread use.
they used mostly coins minted in spain and north africa to pay for the wars. traveling mints were probably supplementary?
These are all attributed to Cathago Nova in Spain. Hannibal Traveling Military Mint. Iberia, Carthago Nova c. 220-210 BC. AE Unit (1/4 Calco? )13.4mm x 1.59g Obverse: Bust of Tanit Left Reverse: Carthaginian Helmet ref: Alvarez, Burgos (1992), 86, 403-4 ; Villaronga (NAH, Numismática Antigua de Hispania) p. 69, nº 43 (pl. II, XXI / XXII) ; Lindgren I, 2)
Have you seen my signature line? Very cool addition! I actually have a reference work that may cover this...will have to do some researching.
oh wow, that is a nice little coin JA....great details! so were these cast, or is that just a ragged flan?
Looks like typical flan casting on a tree, then struck and broken off. But with only one tab, I'm guessing the tree was this style...
