A few of my favorites: Roman Republic, Q. Thermus M.f., AR Denarius 103 BCE. Obv. Head of Mars left with crested, plumed helmet/ Rev. Roman soldier advancing right, fighting with uplifted sword a barbarian soldier before him, while protecting with shield a fallen comrade at his feet, Q THERM.MF. in exergue (THE and MF in monograms). RSC I Minucia [Q. Minucius Rufus] 19 (ill.), Crawford 319/1, Sear RCV I 198 (ill.), Sydenham 592.19.4 mm., 3.97 g. Roman Republic, Cn. Plancius, AR Denarius, 55 BCE, Rome mint. Obv. Head of Macedonia right, wearing causia, CN. PLANCIVS before, AED. CVR. S. C. behind/ Rev. Cretan goat standing right, bow and quiver to left. RSC I Plancia 1, Crawford 432/1, Sydenham 933, Sear RCV I 396 (ill.). 18 mm, 3.82 gm, 5h. Roman Republic, L. Calpurnius Piso Frugi, AR Denarius, 90 BCE. Obv. Head of Apollo R. (H, F) / Rev. Horseman galloping R. w/palm frond (G, H), “L. PISO FRUGI.” RSC I Calpurnia 11, Crawford 340/1, Sydenham 663-670, Sear RCV I 235/1. 17 mm., 4.02 g.
I am always a big fan of the riding dioscuri. This is a difficult one to find, rather worn, and is a cool denomination of 5/12th of an As. Roman Republic Anonymous AE 23mm Quincunx 211-208 BCE 6.96g Apollo, P behind Luceria mint 5 pellets , Dioscuri on horses Cr 99-4 Syd 309 Sear 910 R
It's hard to pick - there are so many great types of RR coins ATB, Aidan. Edited to remove most of the post and add: Dang - the pics don't seem to be behaving - I'll delete most of the post
C.MINUCIUS AUGURINUS AR Denarius. Rome 135 BC, column between two togate figures. 3.86gm, 19mm, Cr 242/1 I have to say I find the reverse on this coin one of my favorites.
Good to see you back Curtis, I like your Constantius camp gate to I have one minted the following year.
I agree- Republican designs are wonderful. I don't have any single favorite, but this particular Q. Thermus type is one of my favorites. (@DonnaML posted one above, and @Finn235 did too, earlier.) I no longer have pictures of the example I owned, so this image is borrowed from CNG via Wikimedia Commons. Mine was not this well struck or as high grade, but it had very attractive cabinet toning. This next coin below is my favorite Roman Republican coin in my present collection, which is not a difficult choice to make since it is the only Republican coin in my present collection. (But not the last I'll have.) Here are two other Republicans from my "bygones". I reckon I could still count the number of Roman Republican coins I have owned on my fingers, though it would take both hands.
Here is a short article about that reverse, also mentioning the later and similar coin of L. Marcius Philippus, also posted on the thread: http://www.romanaqueducts.info/aquamint/romancoins.html
ROMAN REPUBLIC C. Calpurnius Piso Frugi Roma, 67 BC Ob: head of Apollo with laurel wreath n.r., behind it control mark. Rv: C PISO L F FRVGI, rider with palm branch n.r., above control mark. Crawford 408 / 1b
That is also one of the first coins that differed from the typical discouri on horseback or Roma in quadriga reverses. I wonder if that was controversial in its time.
Picking out just one isn't easy... Some great examples all around folks But to my eyes the best ever design on a republican is the following one : Q
I'm an imperial collector, myself. But I do have some republican issues, too. Here's the first I ever acquired and it's still my favorite. L. Mussidius Longus, Moneyer 42 BC. Roman Republican AR denarius, 3.48 gm, 16.4 mm, 4 h. Rome, 42 BC. Obv: Bust of Marc Antony's 3rd wife, Fulvia, as Victory right, draped. Rev: L·MVSSIDIVS LONGVS, Victory in biga right, holding reins in both hands. Refs: RRC 494/40; BMCRR 4229; RCV 1517; Sydenham 1095; RSC Mussidia 4; Banti Mussidia 613.
Although I do not have an excellent example, you can see some detailed workmanship from the Die-Cutter: Roman Republic Anon AR Heavy Denarius - Didrachm 275-270 BCE ROMANO Apollo Left- Galloping Horse Sear 23
Great thread. Many great coins. Here are a couple of RR silver examples that I acquired primarily for the design and the stylistic execution.
One of the reasons I collect RR is because of the interesting designs. I would say my all-time favorite is this one: Q. Caecilius Metellus Pius Scipio and and P. Licinius Crassus Iunianus. Denarius, Africa 47-46, AR (3.97g, 18.5mm, 10h). Q·METEL·PIV SCIPIO·IMP Lion-headed figure of Genius Terrae Africae or Sekhmet, standing facing, clad in long robes, holding ankh in r. hand; at sides of head, G·T· – A. Rev. P·CRASSVS·IVN – LEG PRO·PR Victory standing l., holding caduceus and shield. Babelon Caecilia 51 and Licinia 21. Sydenham 1050. Sear Imperators 43. Crawford 460/4. Provenance: RBW Collection NAC Auction 63 May 17, 2012 Lot 379; NAC Auction 1 March 29, 1989 Lot 725 purchased by Leu for RBW; Henry Platt Hall, Glendining July 19th, 1950 Lot 586 sold to Santamaria