Featured Roman Republic Quinarius has sharp details (Liber obverse with seated Victory reverse)

Discussion in 'Ancient Coins' started by Collect89, Feb 25, 2019.

  1. Collect89

    Collect89 Coin Collector

    This is my third coin from last weekend’s coin hunt. I don’t normally go after Roman coins but this nice Republic spoke to me through the dealer’s glass case. Both the coin & the price were attractive. I'd like to learn why Victory is seated rather than the normal standing/flying/crowning postures.
    Gaze away from the photos as the extremely sharp details might cut your eyes.
    IMG_5389.jpg
    IMG_5390.jpg
    Roman Republic
    M. Cato
    AR Quinarius
    ca. 89 B.C.

    2.25 grams
    Obv: Liber right
    Rev: Victory seated
    Grade: Pretty much as originally struck FDC(?).
    NGC label states MS with 5/5 strike and 4/5 surface.
    Other: Relatively common RR in unusually high grade of preservation.
    Gaze away as the extremely sharp details might cut your eyes.
    IMG_5411.jpg
    Please show your examples! Do you have something that looks today like it did the day it was struck? Do you have a seated Victory or maybe M.Cato or a Quinarius?
    Please post ‘em if you got ‘em.
     
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  3. Collect89

    Collect89 Coin Collector

    I just realized that this Roman Republic coin might appeal (subliminally) to modern US collectors. It has Liberty on the obverse and a perched winged creature on the reverse. It's reminiscent of virtually every silver US coin.
     
  4. TIF

    TIF Always learning.

    Maybe the seated pose fits better on the smaller coin?

    Very nice coin. The plastic slab looks like it slid around on the floorboard of someone's car for a few years. You generally break them out, don't you?
     
    rrdenarius, philologus_1 and dadams like this.
  5. Orfew

    Orfew Draco dormiens nunquam titillandus

    I have 2 coins of his relative, Cato the Younger.

    Both are ex: E.E. Clain-Stefanelli

    Denarius

    Cato the younger.jpg

    Quinarius
    cato NN 391.jpg
     
    dlhill132, ominus1, Jay GT4 and 9 others like this.
  6. Collect89

    Collect89 Coin Collector

    Yes, I generally remove the slab unless it provides protection to some fragile high relief element or adds value. I returned an Alexander Tet to its slab in order to protect the high point on the coin.
     
  7. happy_collector

    happy_collector Well-Known Member

    You have a very nice Roman Republic coin! Great preservation. I also purchased an NGC MS denarius recently. Coin has a special feeling with sharp portrait.

    zz-Faustina01cover.jpg

    I also like your avatar coin. Double strucks are fun. I collect double struck state quarters, in addition to Greek and Roman coins. :cat:
     
    Last edited: Feb 25, 2019
  8. Alegandron

    Alegandron "ΤΩΙ ΚΡΑΤΙΣΤΩΙ..." ΜΕΓΑΣ ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡΟΣ, June 323 BCE

    Wonderful Cato Quinarius @Collect89 ! It looks great!

    My Cato Quinarii are not as sharp, but I have some variety:

    PEDESTRIAN VERSION
    RR AR Quinarius 89 BCE M Porcius Cato Crawford 342-2. Sear 248.JPG
    RR AR Quinarius 89 BCE M Porcius Cato Crawford 342-2. Sear 248


    IMITATING VERSION
    upload_2019-2-26_8-58-39.png
    Imitating Octavian-M. Porcius Cato AR quinarius 13.89 mm 1.29g imitating Octavian r blundered legend - Victory seated r patera Cr 343-462 RARE


    WILDMAN VERSION
    RR Porcius Cato AR Quinarius 89 BC Bacchus Liber Victory seated S 248 Cr 343-2.jpg
    RR Porcius Cato AR Quinarius 89 BC Bacchus Liber Victory seated S 248 Cr 343-2
     
  9. Roman Collector

    Roman Collector Well-Known Member

    Beautiful coin!

    Victory is a common motif on Roman coins throughout its long history. There are coins depicting Victory seated, Victory standing with her foot on a helmet or leaning against a column or shield, Victory standing on a globe, Victory erecting a trophy, Victory in a biga or quadriga, Victory flying, Victory writing on a shield, Victory walking holding a wreath or palm or trophy, Victory crowning the emperor, a trophy, or the gate of a camp. There are types depicting the emperor standing holding a standard or labarum and globe surmounted by Victory, Victory standing holding a cross, etc.
     
    ominus1, Collect89, TIF and 1 other person like this.
  10. kaparthy

    kaparthy Well-Known Member

    Bee-you-tiful coin, Collect89! My Cato quinarii:
    cato_obv.jpg cato_rev_bw.jpg
    This is the better of my two. Cato the Younger struck these at Utica after fleeing Italy after Caesar crossed the Rubicon. The obverse says PRO PR (for himself). Committing suicide rather than submitting to Caesar's friendship, Cato the Younger became a symbol for later republicans.

    Cato the Elder (Cato the Censor) was considered the embodiment of republican virtues. That included a public austerity which allowed him to inspect other people's homes for evidence of conspicuous consumption.
     
  11. Jay GT4

    Jay GT4 Well-Known Member

    Here's a virtual tray I made with Victory reverses

    Victory.jpg
     
  12. Alegandron

    Alegandron "ΤΩΙ ΚΡΑΤΙΣΤΩΙ..." ΜΕΓΑΣ ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡΟΣ, June 323 BCE


    PRE-REFORM of 211 BCE QUINARII
    Tarrifed at 5 Asses:

    upload_2019-2-26_9-38-51.png
    RR Anon Ca 240 BCE AR Heavy Quinarius / Drachm 16mm 3.0g Rome Helmet Hd Mars r - Horse’s hd sickle Craw 25-2 Syd 25 RSC 34a Rare


    upload_2019-2-26_9-39-49.png
    RR Anon AR Heavy Quinarius / Half Quadrigatus / Drachm 216-214 BCE Janus ROMA Jupiter Victory Quadriga LEFT Craw 29-4 Sear 35


    upload_2019-2-26_9-40-26.png
    RR Anon AR Heavy Quinarius / Drachm / Half Quadrigatus 225-212 BCE 3.1g 18mm Janus Jupiter in Quadriga L Victory ROMA Craw 28-4 Sear 35 SCARCE
     
    Last edited: Feb 26, 2019
  13. Collect89

    Collect89 Coin Collector

    The plastic is the only thing keeping you from cutting your fingers. Mine is nice but clearly not razor sharp like your example.
    Faustina Sr Collage.jpg
     
  14. Bing

    Bing Illegitimi non carborundum Supporter

  15. ominus1

    ominus1 Well-Known Member

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