Another new Republican coin I purchased is this one. Somewhat less impressive in hand than in the seller's photos made it out to be. M. AEMILIUS SCAURUS and Pub. PLAUTIUS HYPSAEUS Silver Denarius 19 mm. 3.53 gm Consul 58 B.C. Obv: M SCAVR AED CVR EX S C, Nabatean king Aretas kneeling before camel, REX ARETAS beneath camel. Rev: P HVPSAEVS AED CVR CAPTV C HVPSAE COS PREIVER, Jupiter in quadriga left hurling thunderbolt. Ref: Crawford 422/1a; Sydenham 912 I do have another of these but it has a Scorpion under the horses hooves, and the 'marks' vary.
Nice snare! @Topcat7 !!! These are great issues! My FIRST one was a FAKE! I purchased it several years ago when I was still learning... Was so frustrated. But kept it as an example in learning... A little while ago @John Anthony had a little gem in one of his weekly sales that I captured. Renewed my confidence in this RR issue! Roman Republic Moneyers: M. Aemilius Scaurus & P. Plautius Hypsaeus AR Denarius, 4.1g, 19mm, 6h; Rome mint, 58 BC. Obv.: M SCAVR AED CVR, kneeling figure right (King Aretas of Nabataea), holding olive branch and reins of camel beside him; EX on left; SC on right; REX ARET[AS] in exergue. Rev.: P HVPSAE AED CVR, Jupiter in quadriga left, holding reins in left hand and hurling thunderbolt with right; scorpion below horses; CAPTV on right; C HVPSAE COS PREIVE in exergue. Ref: Sear 379; Babelon Aemilia 8 and Plautia 8; Sydenham 913; Crawford 422/1b.
I've run across several of these types since JA offered that one but NONE quite as beautiful....all the details of the devices clear and crisp--not to mention so well-centered. Would it be a good idea to post that 'fake' example you mentioned as a learning exercise for us all????-----especially me LOL
The only silver I ever received when purchasing lots to be cleaned was one of this type. It's not in very good shape, but hey:
I am scorpionless also. More rare than the scorpion. I need to update this photo, it is no longer blast white after I sat it next to a newly boiled egg for 20 minutes. It is now a nicer grey.
Seriously ??? That's a 'technique' that's new to me.... Although I LOVE your example I'd love to see the re-shoot!!
Seriously. It is the sulphor in the egg that causes the change. I think I read somewhere that if you leave it for longer, it can produce colours. I didn't want to do that, just tone it down slightly.
My example is also sans-scorpion, well-circulated and got beat up by some bankers. Still on the lookout for a nice example of the Scorpion variety,
Not specifically for coins but you get the picture. I put the egg into a plastic bag and squished it. Put the coin in the bag, but did not close it. Turned the coin half way through. http://www.favecrafts.com/Jewelry-Making/How-to-Oxidize-Silver
I agree with all that has been said bout the challenge of finding these with full design. I'd sure like more of the REX ARETAS legend but coins with all of REX tend to be missing the camel's head and that is not good. Fortunately these are common coins so you can assemble a few off center in opposite directions if you want to demonstrate the whole design.
LOVE that coin! Good wear, great bankers marks! Been touched by a lot of folks during that time... Cool stories that coin could tell!
Yup, it's a cool coin and actually my pocket coin(kept in a SAFLIP in my wallet). It's a great example to show someone when people express interest in coins and cheap and common enough that I wouldn't lose any sleep if something happened to it.
Nice to come home from a long days work, to see all those wonderfull coins, the Republican coins have some really neat designs, love the camel! Hopefully, I will add one to my rather modest collection. John
I lost a nice Tiberius denarius that my dad gave me many years ago that was in my wallet. still, it's always nice you've an ancient on hand when you need one. Like a firearm.