Vulcan and the Dancing Chicken

Back to the Roman republic, this is the first coin that I have with full obverse bust of Vulcan. I admit, that "dancing chicken" was not the intent of the moneyer, but it is what I see on the reverse of this coin. For a more sober interpretation - I will refer to Crawford who explains that the obverse of Vulcan and tongs is a reference to the coins of Lipara from the 3rd century.
Perhaps this coin from ACSearch (not my coin) is the type referenced?

Islands off Sicily, Lipara. Head of Hephaestus / Tongs.

The moneyers ancestor C. Aurelius Cotta was consul in 252 and during the first Punic War with Carthage, captured Lipara. The reverse is a reference to the triumph that he celebrated as a consequence.

C. Aurelius Cotta is also shared by Frontinus as an example of a discipline strategy, punishing his relative for failure in leading an initial blockade against Lipara.

"The same Cotta, when about to cross over to Messana to take the auspices afresh, placed in charge of the blockade of the Liparian Islands a ceremony Publius Aurelius, who was connected with him by ties of blood. But when Aurelius's line of works was burned and his camp captured, Cotta had him scourged with rods and ordered him to be reduced to the ranks and to perform the tasks of a common soldier."
- Sextus Julius Frontinus, Stratagems IV 1.31​

Lucius Aurelius Cotta, 105 BC, AR serrate denarius, Rome mint
Obv: Draped bust of Vulcan right, wearing laureate pileus; tongs and * behind; control mark "X" beforeall within wreath
Rev: Eagle standing on thunderbolt, head left; R to right; all within laurel wreath
Ref: Crawford 314/1b; Sydenham 577a; Aurelia 21b

Post coins that make you smile, coins of Vulcan, or anything else you find interesting or entertaining.

 

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Great Denarius, @Sulla80 ... and great story! Wow, that be a reduction in rank!

My Vulcan...
The Samnites went through 3 Wars with Rome (Samnite Wars 343 BCE - 290 BCE). They were very brutal and tough fighters, and were mountain folk from the Apennine mountain spine of Italia. They really bloodied the Roman Republic during these wars for control of Italia and Campania.

Later, in 91 BCE, the were the backbone of the Marsic Confederation fighting the Romans during the Social War.




VULCAN from SAMNIA


Samnium, Aesernia
AE21 263-240 BCE
HN Italy 430
Vulcan Left
- Biga

 

Nice!