Yesterday a friend gave me a large Roman as, my third Republic coin and the oldest. It's very worn, but still impressive at 39.44 gr. and 36 mm diameter. It's hard to picture for me, what it really looks like keeps eluding me on my iphone. Still, it has to do. You can see the most important elements I think. There are many resources on the internet, but I couldn't nail the type, can you help me? There's a pyramidic structure on the deck of the ship which is the most defining element. What is it?
It's a Meta symbol - Cr. 124/3. Here's mine - not as clear as yours and the top of it is cut off: http://www.tantaluscoins.com/coins/124653.php ATB, Aidan.
Thanks very much, Aidan! Now I understand, a meta, the conical poles that were used as turning points in the horse race circus. A symbol to mark a certain period of validity or mintmaster? Interesting, a large and attractive coin from the end of the Second Punic War, that I had to learn all about at school (and made me an admirer of Quintus Fabius Maximus Cunctator). And I visited the Trasimene Lake, a visit that made history visual. -- Paul
