We've all got bigae and quadrigae, but how often do you see a triga?

Bigae and quadrigae are commonly seen on Republican coins, so common in fact that most collectors have at least a few types featuring each. The three-horse triga, however, only appeared on two issues, the first being the denarii of the moneyers Appius Claudius Pulcher, T. Manlius Mancinus and Q. Urbinius(Cr. 299/1a & 1b) in 111/110 B.C. and the second, the serrate denarii of the moneyer C. Naevius Balbus(Cr. 382/1a & 1b), minted 3 decades later, in 79 B.C. There are varioustheories about why these coins featured a triga and while I will admit not having read nearly enough on these types, I'll share my theory. The issues minted in 111/110 B.C. were minted in the names of 3 moneyers, and in my opinion, the choice that year may well have simply been an allusion to this type bearing three names.

Fast forward 3 decades and to the period immediately after the dictatorship of Sulla. The consul in 79 B.C. is none other than Appius Claudius Pulcher, one of the three moneyers of the earlier issue, who had been exiled by Marius in 88 B.C., later returning after the death of Cinna in 84 B.C. The similarities in the trigas used on each of the issues leads me to believe that this might be a sign of support for the Consul(and thus, Sulla) by this moneyer. This is all my take on the issue based on minimal research, so if anyone has any corrections, additional information or their own theories about about the types, I'd love to hear it!



Full ID: Roman Republic AR Serrate Denarius(3.72g, 19mm). C. Naevius Balbus, moneyer, 79 BC, Rome mint. Diademed head of Venus right; behind, S•C / Victory in triga right; above, CCV; in exergue, C•NAE•BALB. Crawford 382/1b; Babelon Naevia 6
Ex. CNA XIV lot 693, March 20, 1991

 

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Wow, that's a fantastic AR RR, red_spork ... both, the obverse and reverse rock!! (congrats)

The reverse is especially nice (I'm lovin' the detailed Victory and also the triga, with the one horse givin' the ol' stink-eye to the other two horses)

 

I have 2 but neither has any letter in the upperfield of rev. kinda disappointing

 

I never heard of 'Trigas'. (I checked and I don't have one, either.)

Thanks R.S. (Another coin to be on the lookout for.)

 

Your Naevia examples are both examples of the 382/1a(versus mine being 1b) subtype, the difference being that on yours the control mark is to the right of Venus on the obverse and the control marks are the letters of the Latin alphabet(and I believe there were some used for multiple dies), whereas on the 1b subtype the control marks are control numerals from I through CCXXVI on the reverse. I don't think the difference is disappointing, rather I personally would like to own one of each of the two types one day as an example of how the control symbol practices of this period varied, even within the same moneyer's coins.

 

There are different control mark letters beneath venus, I thought probably as many different letters as on thorius balbus. Once thought about collecting them all but quickly disposed the idea
Well, now I know the number goes to 226, collecting letters suddenly seemed less daunting.

 

No trigas or theories here, but I'd be mighty pleased if one that looked like yours galloped my way.

 

I have only ever bought one triga.

C Naevius Balbus, AR Serrate Denarius
Obv:- Diademed head of Venus right, SC behind
Rev:- Victory in triga right; numeral CLVI above, C NAE BALB in ex.
Minted in Rome. 79 B.C.
Crawford 382/1b; Syd 769b. Naevia 6.

Uneven toning on obverse with a dark toned reverse.

 

Very nice, everyone! I'd like to get a RR triga, just because.

Not only do these coins have three-horse chariots, two of the three horses are missing a foreleg. You'd think that would make them poorly suited for the work of pulling a chariot.

 

ahaha => but actually, I think I see the other two forelegs tucked-up and and etched against two of the horses, no? (oh, but I agree, the ol' three-legged chariot race would have been an accident waiting to happen, eh?)

I looked, but unfortunately I don't have any trigas in my AR RR stable (great coins, fellas)

 

Beautiful examples guys!!! I'd LOVE to add any to my collection!

I'm still missing the 'Triga' types but nearly snagged one a few weeks ago...

@red_spork, I can't provide any further info to your explanation but it all seems highly plausible to me.

 

Banti illustrates over a hundred variations on this. 85 have numerals on the reverse but others have a letter under the chin on the obverse. Of course there are loser coins like mine with poor centering that lost their obverse letter save a tip of what might be an A.