Having viewed and drooled over so many wonderful examples of L. Mussidius Longus denarii showing the shrine of Venus Cloacina, I had to find one I could be happy with in my collection. I finally found such an example. For more background here is a CT thread which explains the relationship between Venus and the sewers of Rome: https://www.cointalk.com/threads/venus-cloacina.348359/#post-3763451 L. MUSSIDIUS LONGUS AR Denarius OBVERSE: CONCORDIA, diademed and veiled bust of Concordia right, crescent below chin REVERSE: Shrine of Venus Cloacina: Circular platform surmounted by two statues of the goddess, each resting right hand on cippus, the platform inscribed CLOACIN and ornamented with trellis-pattern balustrade, flight of steps and portico on left; L • MVSSIDIVS • LONGVS around above Rome 42BC 3.5g, 19mm Crawford 494/42C; CRI 188; Sydenham 1093b; Kestner 3753-4; BMCRR Rome 4242-3, Mussidia 6a
That's a beautiful example of a terrific type. Never underestimate the importance of proper fecal sludge management for building a great civilization... I have the variant without the crescent: Roman Republic, moneyer: L. Mussidius Longus, AR denarius, 42 BC, Rome mint. Obv: Head of Concordia r., wearing veil; behind, CONCORDIA upwards. Rev: Shrine of Venus Cloacina with two statues, inscribed CLOACIN; above, L M[VSSID]IVS LONGVS. 17.5mm, 3.68g. Ref: RRC 494/42a.
Bing, it is good to see you have your mind in the gutter. Great coin. Will you build a TIF like shrine? I had to find one too.
Nice job, @Bing ! This is a tribute to FECAL COMMAND: Or, a coin dedicated to Rome's Poop-Chute: I find this hilarius as you have the SHINING RAYS of SOL on the coin of WHERE the SUN DON'T SHINE... RR Mussidius Longus 42 BCE AR Denarius Radiant Sol - Platform CLOACIN Sear 494 Craw 494-42
Very nice score on a coin that surely Vespasian would've appreciated all to well... Here's my poop coin about poop: L. Mussidius Longus 42 BC. RomeFoureé Denarius AR16mm., 3,02g. Radiate and draped bust of Sol facing slightly right / The shrine of Venus Cloacina; a low circular platform surmounted by two statues of the goddess, each resting right hand on cippus, the platform inscribed CLOAC and ornamented with trellis-pattern balustrade, with flight of steps and portico on left; L•MVSSIDIVS•LONGVS around above. nearly very fine Crawford 494/43b. Former Savoca
Wow! That is a fabulous example! @TIF will be pleased. (But she is super busy right now so may not reply for a while.)
Nice coins, everyone! I need to join the club. It seems like all the cool kids have a Venus Cloacina! Now I have an earworm. Here Chrissie Hynde quotes Oscar Wilde: "We are all of us in the gutter/but some of us are looking at the stars" ...
What a fantastic example, Bing! The large flan is wonderful and centering great. My first two came from my first coin show and were my main targets. At the show I asked Barry Murphy if he had one. He didn't but knew someone who did and told me to check back in a couple of days. He acquired it and then sold it to me. Observing that show and one other, I got the impression that the bulk of transactions at shows are dealer to dealer! Anyway, this one has a tight flan and suboptimal centering but it's a great rendition of Sol with minimal nose squashing . Moneyer issues of Imperatorial Rome L. Mussidius Longus, 42 BCE AR denarius, 18 mm, 3.8 gm. Rome mint. Obv: Radiate and draped bust of Sol facing Rev: Shrine of Venus Cloacina: Circular platform surmounted by two statues of the goddess, each resting right hand on cippus, the platform inscribed CLOAC and ornamented with trellis-pattern balustrade, flight of steps and portico on left; L • MVSSIDIVS • LONGVS around above. Ref: Crawford 494/43b; CRI 189a; Sydenham 1094a; Kestner 3758-9 var. (CLOACIN); BMCRR Rome 4252-4; Mussidia 7a. Acquired from Barry Murphy at the 2014 ANA World's Fair of Money, Chicago At the same show I picked up one with the Concordia obverse. Concordia looks like she smelling something foul : Moneyer issues of Imperatorial Rome. L. Mussidius Longus. 42 BC. AR denarius, Rome mint. Diademed and veiled head of Concordia right; CONCORDIA upwards behind / Shrine of Venus Cloacina: Circular platform surmounted by two statues of the goddess, each resting right hand on cippus, the platform inscribed CLOACIN and ornamented with trellis-pattern balustrade, flight of steps and portico on left; L • MVSSIDIVS • LONGVS around above. Crawford 494/42a; CRI 188; Sydenham 1093; Kestner 3753-4; BMCRR Rome 4242-3; Mussidia 6b. Acquired from a dealer at the 2014 ANA World's Fair of Money, Chicago. Later I found a better Concordia example and paid far less for it than for either of the above coins. That's why I love auctions. Coin shows are fun but I can't say I've picked up many bargains in the two shows I've attended. Moneyer issues of Imperatorial Rome L. Mussidius Longus, 42 BCE AR denarius, Rome mint. Obv: Diademed and veiled head of Concordia right; CONCORDIA upwards behind; star in right field below chin Rev: Shrine of Venus Cloacina: Circular platform surmounted by two statues of the goddess, each resting right hand on cippus, the platform inscribed CLOACIN and ornamented with trellis-pattern balustrade, flight of steps and portico on left; L • MVSSIDIVS • LONGVS around above. Ref: Cr. 494/42b; Bab. 6; BMC 4244; Cr. 494/42 b; Syd. 1093 a
While I agree that is true, I still enjoy the dealers at shows who do cater to collectors of the old fashion type. As they retire, I don't see them being replaced so the day may come the only place to get coins is slabbed on Amazon.
