After sorting through the lot of Republican bronzes I purchased a while ago, I found myself increasingly fascinated by this area I, up until quite recently, somewhat neglected. All the different Issues, weight reforms, overstrikes and beautiful artistry; what’s not to love? Anyway, my new found appreciation for this field also led me to realize I missed a coin representing an important development in the history of Roman coinage; an AES grave. I initially thought these would sadly be out of reach due to budgetary issues, but luckily these smaller bronzes are much more affordable than the 100+ grams Asses. When this less-than-perfect specimen popped up for the equivalent of around 120 USD, I knew I had to have it! Roman Republic, AES Grave Sextans (Two pellets), 225 – 217 BC, 33.47 gm. Crawford. 35/5 So here she is. A bit roughish, even for AES grave standards, but lovely nonetheless! She has had to endure quite a bit, most recently a severe attack of bronze disease that left some ugly pits above Mercury’s bust, but the previous owner managed to stabilize it. No signs of it returning, but I am keeping a close eye on it for at least a couple of years. For now, she has gotten a lovely little spot next to the early struck sextans from a couple of years later I snagged up in the lot. I must say that the relief, even when worn, is simply amazing and holding such a chunky coin is always an extremely pleasant feeling! Please show your cast bronzes, whether they are Roman or not!
KILLER DEAL @AnYangMan ! WOW, RR AES Grave for that price is great! Congrats! Very nice Sextans. Fun to hold such a hefty coin. Well done. LOL, now you are spoiled on the price... good luck getting several AES Grave in the future at those prices! Here are a few of mine: SEXTANS: RR AE Aes Grave Sextans 270 BCE 37mm 55.28g Dioscuri R and L Etruria or Umbria Aes Grave 3rd C BCE Sextans 23mm 25.15g Club-2 Dots HN 54 Vecchi-Th 172 And, I like my FROGGER: Luceria AES Grave Anonymous 217-215 BCE Uncia 7.35g Frog-Corn Ear pellet retrograde L T-V 285
Although it is MADE from AES (bronze), it is not cast. Rather it is struck, so it would not be an AES Grave... Very nice Quadrans!
@Alegandron Thanks for that. I thought that it was 'struck', but I wasn't sure. In that case I have an 'AES Rude' but no 'AES Grave'. Like some others, I am now on the 'lookout', too.
My sextans is a turtle. These are not as popular as the prow coins. Circa 269-240 BC. Æ Aes Grave Sextans. Tortoise / Six-spoked wheel.
Here are some of cast coins from the 18th century, almost 2,000 years later. I don't know when China totally went to milled coins, late 1800s?
Well, it certainly makes sense for a collector who loves cast Chinese coins to pick up an aes grave or two! Hard to find cast coins in western ancients otherwise. Here's my astragalos and pellet uncia, c. 280-276 BCE, weighs about 20g:
Looking for help - IF these two coins are 'cast' bronzes (note 'gate' on first coin), are they Aes Grave?
Wow, great coins everyone! I particular like the blue patina on that Umbrian sextans, @Alegandron! @Severus Alexander Indeed, I do have a fascination with everything cast . Sadly this method of coin manufacturing seems to be heavily centred in the East as you say. Nevertheless, there are a couple of instances where they pop up in ‘Western’ coinage. A couple from my own collection: The Celtic potins are maybe the most well-known example, followed by the cast dolphins from Olbia (I am still missing the variety inscribed ARIXO). The Byzantine unit is from Basil I, from a somewhat obscure series cast in Cherson. The Onkia form Selinos represents the early bronzes of Magna Graecia and the tiny cast coin in the middle is one of those Wheel/IST types from Istros. The exact function of the ‘arrowhead’ from the black Sea region in the bottom-right is a much debated subject, but I have included one anyway. They do make an eccentric bunch together!
Well RATS, @Carausius , you just have to keep tossing out that cool HAND of Rome Quadrans! Here is my HAND Aes Grave: And, well a couple others AES Graves from me: RR Aes Grave AE Quadrans 230 BCE Dog 3 pellets Six spoked wheel 59.8g Craw 26-6a Th-Vecchi 34 RR Aes Grave Anon 280-276 BCE Triens 46mm 90.3g 9.3mm thick Tbolt-Dolphin Rome Crawford 14-3 T Vecchi 3 RR Aes Grave Uncia 269-240 BCE Astragalus knuckle-bones
Congrats on #1. Nice coin. They are fun to hold! I started with a couple of big coins when I started collecting Aes Grave. When I bought the Semis at a coin show it was my most expensive coin. I bought the As when I thought import restrictions might limit availability. I have seen a few auction houses that will not ship cast bars and coins to the USA. both are in my lock box, so I do not hold them often. I enjoy collecting non-coin bronze pieces. The Romans (or Central Italians) used bronze to accumulate wealth and as votive items. The pic above has parts of an Ax, a Knife and pieces of bars or plates. A cast sextans coin and a cast bronze shell of about the same weight.
I too find this series interesting. Just last October I picked up an Janus Prow Libral As. For a number of years I have owned a Post Semi-Libral As which I got through a second party from the AK collection
Wow! And then @Carausius, @Alegandron, @rrdenarius and @Terence Cheesman brought out the big guns! Absolutely love all of these cast pieces, if only they were a little cheaper....
