I've just returned from Rome with a prize in my baggage. I visited a previously frequented coin dealer and asked to see his ancients. I prefer the lower value heavy coins as I feel they represent the citizenry of Rome more than the denarii or anything of greater value. I saw this beauty - it just stood out from the rest - it was love at first sight; collectors of ancients will know what I mean. It fulfilled a number of my wants namely, it was Republican (my collection is mainly Imperatorial onwards), I always wanted a two-headed Janus and it weighed a tonne. It almost put my luggage allowance over the limit! I like the galley prow on the reverse with the 1 denomination on both sides. Also the exergue has RO of ROMA visible. Any similar galley prows out there? Apologies for the different sizes of the images. Rome Republic - after 217 - 190 BCE, Obv: Laureate head of Janus, 1 above. Rx: prow of galley facing right, 1 above, RO of ROMA in exergue, 50.9grms.; 34.7mm to 36.7mm dia.
HI Well done. This is the anonymous version of Crawford 80 dolphin series. Below I show an image of the As (same type and style as my illustrated C2.As.1) together with all the related denominations. This from my paper in Essays Russo 2013. The photo below is the same type WITH the dolphin symbol. You can see it is in the exact same style and in fact the same engraver made both sets of dies. This coin is from my collection. Andrew
Very nice and chunky new As! Anonymous Roman Republican, 169-158 BC AE As, Star (2nd) series, Rome mint Obverse: Laureate head of bearded Janus; I (mark of value) above. Reverse: Prow of galley right; star above, I (mark of value) to right, ROMA below. References: Crawford 196/1; Sydenham 264; Schaefer & McCabe, Period 2; RBW 842. Size: 31mm, 21.9g
That would be: "A Fresh Look at Roman Republican Star Bronzes RRC 113 and 196", Richard Schaefer and Andrew McCabe, Numismatic Chronicle 2011. Thanks for the shout-out.
Here's my favorite as, a bit later and lighter than yours. To continue the "McCabe" theme, this coin ex @Andrew McCabe collection Here's another favorite, of the money SAFRA, thought by some to be a "Spurius Afranius" though Crawford argues that Safra is his cognomen rather than being short for something. As is common for coins of this period the moneyer added a small symbol in addition to his name, in this case a dolphin to the right of the prow.
A few As with Janus: RR AE As P.CORNELIUS P.F. BLASIO BC 169-158 35mm 42.5g S 703 Syd 370 Cr 189-1 RR Atili Saran AE As 148 BC Janus ROMA Prow S 399 Cr 214-2a RR Anon AE As 211-206 BC sextantal Janus Prow Anchor S 628 Cr 50-3 RR Anon AE As after 211 BC Janus I Prow Cr 56-2 Sear 627
Very nice! I've always liked these Republican issues. Now if only I could get a nice cast As grave! Laureate head of Janus; above I P BLAS above, ROMA in exergue Prow of galley right; before I Rome, 169-158 BC 33mm, 29.27g Crawford 189/1; Sydenham 370; BMCRR 788 A duplicate from the RBW collection of Roman Republican Coins; Ex-Peus 330 (April 26, 1991) lot 644; Ex-DM collection; Ex-Calgary coin
That's a very nice coin, @osdet! Congratulations. And I understand why and how much you like it – I, too, consider my Republican as one of my favourite coins: Roman Republic, As (uncial standard), 169–158 BC, moneyer: C. Cluvius Saxula, Rome mint. Obv: head of Janus, I above. Rev: prow right, C·SAX (ligated) above, ROMA below. 35 mm, 25.98 g. Ref: RRC 173/1.
I sure wish these fellas had a magic story like yours. Coingrats Roman Republic Janus Anonymous, As, Rome, c. 206-190 BC; AE (g 20.87; mm 32; h 2); Laureate head of Janus; above, I, Rv. Prow r.; above, I; below, ROMA. Crawford 56/2; Sydenham 143; Mc Cabe J1.As.1. Beautiful green patina Roman Republic Janus Anonymous (AT or TA series), As,Rome, 169-158 BC, AE, (g 22.83, mm 32, h 12). Laureate head of Janus; above, I, Rv. Prow r.; above, AT or TA; before, I; below, ROMA. Crawford 192/1; Sydenham 372. Very fine
Nice coin, I guess I will need to reclassify this one as "light". Size: 38.47g, 32.5mm diameter, 6mm thick
This is my one and only Janus As: Rome, 194 - 190 BC, 33 x 34 mm, 27.46 g Ref.: Crawford 134.2; Sydenham 333; Obv.: bearded head of the two-faced god, Janus; I above Rev.: prow of war gallery, facing right. Monogram LPHL above, I (mark of value) to right; ROMA below
Damn. Didn't know they used that back then. Not good at real old coins. Thanks for the help. But i am trying