A Roman Republic 'snack'....

Well, since it cost $57.50 shipped, perhaps it's really more of a hearty group lunch or a generous full dinner. Ordinarily I would only be interested in a denarius this worn and 'flawed' for about $40.00 but the reverse just made me chuckle. Not only is it a reverse that I was lacking but it also seems to have 'Cupid' shouting ...."WHOA!! WHOA!!!" while digging in his heels and pulling up on the reins before the dolphin swims completely off the flan . And it was struck in 46 BC, a lifetime historical issue connected to Julius Caesar. I'm sure many of you have far better examples and I'm looking forward to seeing them posted

As usual, it seems very little is known about the moneyer besides the issuance of the series.

"Fairly obscure Roman nomen gentile that originated with a plebeian family that was native to the city of Tusculum, which was an important center of worship for the Dioscuri. Only one member of this family is known to history, namely Manius Cordius Rufus (1st century BC). He was a moneyer (triumvir monetalis) under Julius Caesar."

Of course, the obverse depicts Venus and is often associated with Julius Caesar.......

"The importance of the worship of Venus-Aphrodite was increased by the political ambitions of the gens Iulia, the clan of Julius Caesar and, by adoption, of Augustus. They claimed descent from Iulus, the son of Aeneas; Aeneas was the alleged founder of the temple of Eryx and, in some legends, of the city of Rome also. From the time of Homer onward, he was made the son of Aphrodite, so that his descent gave the Iulii divine origin. Others than the Iulii sought to connect themselves with a deity grown so popular and important, notably Gnaeus Pompeius, the triumvir. He dedicated a temple to Venus as Victrix (“Bringer of Victory”) in 55 bce. Julius Caesar’s own temple (46 bce), however, was dedicated to Venus Genetrix, and as Genetrix (“Begetting Mother”) she was best known until the death of Nero in 68 ce. Despite the extinction of the Julio-Claudian line, she remained popular, even with the emperors; Hadrian completed a temple of Venus at Rome in 135 ce."

Numismatically....

"Sear (in CRI) maintains that this reverse type likely refers to the recent victories of Caesar at Thapsus. Also, he notes the interesting inclusion of SC (senatus consulto) 1n the obverse legend, indicating that this issue was a special one struck under senatorial authority. While the exact reason for this is uncertain, Sear believes that it is related to the extreme demands being placed upon the mint to supply sufficient coinage to meet the expenses of Caesar's quadruple triumph."

I'll include the following link for those wishing to read more about Thapsus and Caesar.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Thapsus


After browsing through all of the above, this denarius now seemed far more interesting and desirable to me and well worth the modest price for the type and grade. It seems, ironically, 'knowledge' can be both dangerous and costly LOL

Please post any relevant coins you may have of Venus, Caesar, Cupid, Dolphins or anything else you can think of....except UNDERWEAR

Moneyer issues of Imperatorial Rome. Mn. Cordius Rufus. 46 BC. AR Denarius (19mm, 3.78 g, 6h). Rome mint. Diademed head of Venus right, two locks of hair down neck / Cupid riding dolphin right. Crawford 463/3; CRI 65; Sydenham 977; Cordia 3a.

 

Log in or Sign up to hide this ad.

That reverse is way cool. It would have drawn me to buy it as well. It looks like Cupid could hold his own on a Texas long horn. The connection to Julius Caesar just makes it that much more interesting. It looks like it was a pretty lopsided victory for JC.

 

Fantastic Denarius Mikey! Super write-up and information. Wow. I keep imagining a "flip-book" of several of this Denarius' reverse showing the dolphin and Cupid riding the waves! Very nice!

 

A great coin.

heres a dolplhin

 

What a bargain, smart purchase with a great write up, congrats.

 

Super AS @randygeki !! I LOVE Agrippa and Neptune!

 

Nicely written and a very interesting coin @Mikey Zee you've been on quite the streak lately.

 

What a steal Mikey , great coin, great history, congrats.
although I doubt its says S.C on the obverse looks more like RUFUS . C ? off flan

Here's another denarius with Cupid by Cordius Rufus and also minted in Rome in 46 BC. and I also paid the same price (50 euro)

 

Here's the "other" RR dolphin denarius. Struck by moneyer L. Lucretius Trio. This is ex Huntington Collection (ANS duplicate).





Like the ANS, I have a duplicate one of these myself. I'll need to sell this one soon, though the devices are sharper overall, and I prefer the cowboyish posture of Cupid on this one.

 

very collection worthy!

 

Terrific posts guys!!! Keep 'em comin' Thanks for all the kind words!!

Wonderful example!! And you might be right, but I'm betting it is S C as this acsearch link of the type suggests.

Can anyone else definitively pin it down ?

https://www.acsearch.info/search.html?term=crawford 463/3&category=1-2&en=1&de=1&fr=1&it=1&es=1&ot=1&images=1&currency=usd

 

WOW! I bet you can find a few buyers here

 

Nice. I need one of these dolphin types. You did well, especially considering the small amount it cost you. Congrats

 

Mikey-Z => congrats on your sweet OP-addition!!



Here is my off-center and oddly toned example ...

Mn. Cordius Rufus AR Denarius



Sadly, somehow I have misplaced this coin (hopefully it turns-up, otherwise this photo is my only record of it) ... that is very unlike me

 

Even if not a 'snack', definitely a great value meal . I don't have this type, but I'd happily take yours at that price. Thanks for the write-up and info.

 

Fricken cool coin reverse @Mikey Zee !

Here's a Venus of mine


Julius Caesar, Denarius minted in North Africa c.47-46 BC
No legend, Diademed head of Venus right
CAESAR, Aeneas left, bearing Anchises on his shoulder
3.91 gr
Ref : HCRI # 55, RCV #1402, Cohen #12

Q

 

Oooh, I love the little dolphin rider coins! One of these days I'll get a Cordius Rufus or Lucretius Trio or both

Great value for the coin, @Mikey Zee!

Beautiful coins, everyone

 

Nice coin and great write-up. I bought an Owl Corinthian Helmet / Aegis Medusa Cr 463/2 from this moneyer several years ago, but have no pic to post (the coin is in the bank vault).
My dolphin -


and along your snack line of thinking, recent 40 euro coin -

a tiny quinarius I bought with some bronze bars, I will post them together soon

 

Thanks everyone for the all wonderful posts

I'll close this out with an example I also have of the type @Andres2 posted earlier by 'RUFVS'---The Dioscuri with the Cupid on Venus' shoulder reverse:

 

Since Cupid on Venus' shoulder was mentioned, I'll throw in my JC example with a super-creepy little Cupid peeking out from behind her shoulder .