Won this rare and incredibly small beauty at the recent Leu auction. At nine millimeters this is by far the smallest coin in my collection so far. I find it really fun that you can find types outside of the main coinage that are still very much related to the Roman Republic. Also these are very difficult to find with fine style dies so I'm very glad to have acquired this specimen. This one feels extra sweet as I lived for a year in the region where the coin was minted (the Luberon valley) and I was to Cavaillon many times. The region is extremely beautiful and I strongly recommend a visit. M. Aemilius Lepidus. 44-42 BC. AR Obol (9mm, 0.36 g, 6h). Mint in Cabellio (Cavaillon), Gaul. Obverse: Head of Apollo right; CABE upwards in right field. Reverse: LE-PI flanking cornucopia; all within laurel wreath. Reference: RPC I 528 Provenance: Leu Numismatik Web auction 8 (29 June, 2019), lot 611. "George Rogers in his study of the triumviral coinage in Gaul ("Notes sur des rapports métrologiques: un système monétaire en Gaule de 43 à 23 av. J.-C.," RN XXVIII [1987], pp. 83-93) supposes that this issue was struck under the governorship of Lepidus in 44-42 BC, and that Lepidus was the founder of the colony of Cabellio. He further argues that the absence of the legend COL (indicating the status of the city as a colony) in combination with CABE is not an argument against his proposition, but rather he draws parallels with the foundation coinage of Lyon to support his position." This coin really pushed the limit of my camera so the photo is a bit blurry. I don't have a macro lens so this is probably the best I can do without one. Here is a size comparison with a quinarius and a denarius:
Wow! @Michael Stolt , way cool capture! Lepidus, no doubt, and a tiny one at that! Great job. He was an underrated Triumvir. He had a lot of influence and accomplishments, and came from a family with a long history in the Republic. I only have a couple coins of his, and enjoy that I hold some of his History: Imperatorial period. Associated with the famous Lepidus. Spain. Lepida-Celsa Large. 31 mm. Holed. Struck 44-36 BC by C. Balbus L. Porcius City name: Colonia Victrix Ivlia Lepida Head of Victory with palm branch over shoulder/Bull right Named after Lepidus who was governor of Spain when the city attained colonial status. RPI 262, plate 19. Very visible with excellent natural highlights. Ex: Warren Esty (@Valentinian ) Lepidus & Mark Antony. 43 B.C. AR quinarius (13.93 mm, 1.82 g, 5 h). Military mint traveling with Antony and Lepidus in Transalpine Gaul, 43 B.C. M ANT IMP, emblems of the augurate; lituus, capis, and raven standing left / LEP IMP, emblems of the pontificate: simpulum, aspergillum, securis, and apex. Crawford 489/3; CRI 120; Sydenham 1158a; RSC 3. aVF. Scarce Ex: RBW Collection
Good image considering the lack of macro. If you get into small coins, you might want one. I have a lens and a microscope that works for small ones. My daughter says she has no interest in my coins except she would like the little ones. I separated out 103 (at present) under 10mm silvers for her so they won't go to the trash when I'm gone. I don't know which is smallest since it depends on whether you go by diameter or weight. Several are under 5mm but none under 4mm. This >5mm Phokaea is an example. I have no Romans and really like your new one.
Wow that's an awesome interesting coin! I never knew that the Romans struck such small silver coins, now I need one or something similar, thanks for sharing! So was the coin struck to conform to local indigenous or Greek influenced coinage and weight standards?
Thank you Indeed he was. And he did manage to make it out alive of all the turmoil even though sent into exile. I really like these more unusual triumviral coins. Some nice and interesting ones you got there. I will definitely have to keep an eye out for one of those Lepidus bronzes. And as I collect Antony's coinage mainly among the triumvirs a high grade specimen of that quinarius has been on the list for a while.
Thank you. This is most likely one of the smalest ones I'll acquire since I only collect republican coinage. But I will need a macro lens none the less for better pictures in general plus when I get into AES Grave I will really need one cause of the high relief. That's really nice. My mother is the same, I have a bunch of uncleaned low grade lrbs, and she always picks out the tiniest ones
