Scipio Africanus may have his image on a couple of coin types. He may have it on none. He may be the first living Roman to have his likeness on a coin. Or not. We're not even sure if this is his likeness: (If this is him, then the legends are true of him being the world's first unified staring contest champion) We do know that after Hannibal's brother, Hasdrubal Barca (those Carthaginians had some rad last names. Barca=thunderbolt), killed Scipio's father and uncle at the battle of the Upper Baetis he was the only Roman willing to lead another attack on this rampaging enemy. Everyone else believed the position an assisted suicide. This Scipio though was the little Roman who could... and would bring down the second greatest threat Rome would ever know. He was a 25 year old kid, a decade too young to even hold the proconsular position the Roman people gave him in hopes of some of that Scipio magic. As we all know, Lil Scipio wouldn't disappoint. Bringing Hannibal and essentially all of Carthage to their knees... with a nice Chianti! Cut to: At what point do you cut off the leg to save the life? How bad does the gangrene need to be before, whack? The answer is on the reverse of my Scipio(?) Afri- couldbe: Yep. I purchased this amazing rarity, with quite possibly the image of our and Rome's hero, on the cheap due to the very obvious bronze disease attack on the horses hind and a bit on top by the horses head. I've spent the last month or so soaking it in distilled water for a few days, scrub with cut down toothbrush and poke with a tooth pick, repeat. Until most of the BD was no longer visible. I then had to use my exacto knife to cut out the rest (some was hiding under the thick patina). Baked the victor of Zama at 350 degrees for 40 minutes followed by a relaxing session of Verdi-care applications. I've yet to have BD return following this outline. And now, we're alright Spain, Carthago Nova Æ Unit. Roman Occupation, after 209 BC. Bare-head left (Scipio Africanus?) / Horse standing right; palm tree behind. CNH Class XI, 282; SNG BM Spain 127-128. 10.98g, 22mm, 12h. Good Very Fine. Excellent for issue. Rare. Bertolami Jan 2021 "Villaronga's Class XI, dated 218-206 BC covers that period of the Second Punic War when the Romans, under the leadership of Scipio Africanus, took the war to Carthage's possessions in Spain in order to cause Hannibal to withdraw from Italy. Though still a young man, Scipio displayed extraordinary skills in leadership and by 209 BC brought the provincial Carthaginian city of Qart Hadasht in Spain under his control. Differing substantially from the earlier regional issues which may depict the Barcid generals, this youthful Roman-like head is most likely that of Scipio himself. The rarity of this issue, both in silver and bronze, attests to its short period of striking, and may reflect the Romans' republican views regarding the depiction of a living individual on their coins, even those that would circulate outside of Rome itself." Is it beautiful? Naw. But it wasn't before, nor is the type known for its artistic beauty. But I believe that I have cut out the disease and sealed up the wound saving the coin from a certain and uglier demise. There is also the lovely RR UPS driver version of Scipio (he just looks so unassuming with that dainty nose and pencil neck!): Cn. Blasio Cn.f.. Denarius, 3.64g. (h). Rome, 112-111 BC. Obv: Helmeted head right (Scipio Africanus?), mark of value above, caduceus behind, [CN BLA]SIO CN F before. Rx: Jupiter standing. between Juno and Minerva, dot in field, [ROMA] in exergue. Crawford 296/1a. Sydenham 561. RSC Cornelia 19. Minor weakness on reverse. Bold, lustrous EF. Other than these two types I'm not aware of any more coins purported to have Scipio's portrait... are there any? And let's not forget coins of the opposition: I'll leave you with the possibly\probably made up stories by Livy and Appian of when the two generals met up years later to discuss who truly was the greatest general of all time (keeping in mind they had no way of knowing that one day a Ryro would rise above all): “Africanus asked who, in Hannibal’s opinion, was the greatest general of all time. Hannibal replied: ‘Alexander, King of the Macedonians, because with a small force he routed armies of countless numbers, and because he traversed the remotest lands. Merely to visit such lands transcended human expectation.’ Asked whom he would place second, Hannibal said: ‘Pyrrhus. He was the first to teach the art of laying out a camp. Besides that, no one has ever shown nicer judgement in choosing his ground, or in disposing his forces. He also had the art of winning men to his side; so that the Italian peoples preferred the overlordship of a foreign king to that of the Roman people, who for so long had been the chief power in that country.’ When Africanus followed up by asking whom he ranked third, Hannibal unhesitatingly chose himself. Scipio burst out laughing at this, and said: ‘What would you have said if you had defeated me?’ ‘In that case’, replied Hannibal, ‘I should certainly put myself before Alexander and before Pyrrhus – in fact, before all other generals!’ This reply, with its elaborate Punic subtlety, and this unexpected kind of flattery…affected Scipio deeply, because Hannibal had set him (Scipio) apart from the general run of commanders, as one whose worth was beyond calculation. Livy, The History of Rome from its Foundation XXXV.14″ The Historian Appian also tells this story in his History of the Rome. ” It is said that at one of their meetings in the gymnasium Scipio and Hannibal had a conversation on the subject of generalship, in the presence of a number of bystanders, and that Scipio asked Hannibal whom he considered the greatest general, to which the latter replied, “Alexander of Macedonia.” To this Scipio assented since he also yielded the first place to Alexander. Then he asked Hannibal whom he placed next, and he replied, “Pyrrhus of Epirus,” because he considered boldness the first qualification of a general; “for it would not be possible,” he said, “to find two kings more enterprising than these.” Scipio was rather nettled by this, but nevertheless he asked Hannibal to whom he would give the third place, expecting that at least the third would be assigned to him; but Hannibal replied, “To myself; for when I was a young man I conquered Spain and crossed the Alps with an army, the first after Hercules. I invaded Italy and struck terror into all of you, laid waste 400 of your towns, and often put your city in extreme peril, all this time receiving neither money nor reinforcements from Carthage.” As Scipio saw that he was likely to prolong his self-laudation he said, laughing, “Where would you place yourself, Hannibal, if you had not been defeated by me?” Hannibal, now perceiving his jealousy, replied, “In that case I should have put myself before Alexander.” Thus Hannibal continued his self-laudation, but flattered Scipio in a delicate manner by suggesting that he had conquered one who was the superior of Alexander.” So please post those coins of Scipio Africanus, Carthaginian or Roman coins of the time, thoughts, stories or whatever gets your enemies elephant's to turn and trample them
Oh man, that is a lovely one with a pleasing toning. This is one of my first RR purchases... not so lovely, but just serrated:
SCIPIO IN BARCID SPAIN - CARTHAGO NOVA - Qart Hadasht Carthago Nova SCIPIO Africanus Roman Occupation 209-206 BCE Sear Vol2 6575 R Carthago Nova Scipio 209-206 BCE AE 14 Horse Head R
Can't resist one of my favorite topics. The Punic Spain coins are anepigraphic and there is no historical documentation that the heads are an individual's portrait, but here is my theory based on my shekels: AR shekel 220-209 BC 7.24 gm ACIP 603 O: male head left / R: horse standing right before palm tree AR shekel 208-203 BC 6.99 gm ACIP 625 AR shekel 209 BC 7.11 gm ACIP 606 The head on the first shekel represents Hannibal, the second is Scipio and the third is a transition with a recut die to "Romanize" a Punic portrait. Since Alexander the Great, tendency for god’s features on coins to resemble a person. Scipio had access to silver and an intact mint when he captured Cartago Nova. Tendency of Spanish tribes to identify with individual leaders. Portrait styles – “Carthaginian” features changed to “Roman” features. Match known sculptures & images (In addition to the bust above, the Museo Nazionale in Naples also has a gold signet ring of Scipio dated to the late 3rd - early 2nd Cetury BC shown below) So, there is no conclusive evidence but the circumstantial evidence is intriguing. These coins most likely represent “unofficial portraits”
I was not aware of the possibility that this coin represents Scipio Africanus! Now I shall have to get one too. Fun thread @Ryro ! Instead I’ll share a coin type that Scipio took with him to Spain to kick start his little adventure. According to Crawford over 11.9 tons of silver ~ 2,400,000 denarii. Roman Republic Second Punic War (218 – 201 BC) Anonymous AR Denarius, Rome Mint, struck ca. 211 BC Wt.: 4.2 g Dia.: 20 mm Obv.: Helmeted head of Roma right. X in left field Rev.: Dioscuri galloping right. ROMA in exergue and partially incuse on raised tablet Ref.: Crawford 44/5 Brinkman Group 5. Sydenham 167. RBW 169. Ex Numismatic Ars Classica Auction 100 Part II, Lot 1368 (May 30, 2017)
This type may have been minted under Scipio in Spain. It is traditionally attributed to Etruria but more and more find evidence for this and the related pentagram victoriati suggests Spain. Additionally, in Latin "Scipio" means "staff" or "walking stick" much like the staff on the reverse of this coin Roman Republic AR Victoriatus(3.07g, 18mm, 4h). Anonymous("Staff and club" series). 209-208 B.C., Spanish mint. Laureate head of Jupiter right. Border of dots / Victory standing right, crowning trophy with wreath; Staff between. ROMA in exergue. Line border. Crawford 106/1; Sydenham 209; RSC 24n.
That is a cool comment! Here are some other denominations that were probably from that tonnage of Silver and may had been with Scipio also: Roman Republic AR Sestertius After 211 BCE 12mm 1.0g Rome mint Roma r IIS - Dioscuri riding stars in ex ROMA Sear 46 Craw 44-7 RSC 4 Roman Republic AR Quinarius Anon after 211 BCE 2.12g Helmeted hd Roma - Dioscuri riding Craw 68-2b RSC 3 SICILY ISSUE ex Clain-Stefanelli Roman Republic AR Victoriatus Anon 211-206 BCE Jupiter Dioscuri Sear 49 Craw 44-1 Roman Republic AR Denarius Anon 211-206 BCE Roma ROMA incus Dioscuri single horn-helmet Sear-- Craw 68-1b SICILY ISSUE RARE
Congrats! This is a must-have type for anyone interested in the second Punic war. Quarter-shekel (Hannibal?): Same as the OP coin: And the Scipio Asiagenus denarius seen elsewhere in the thread:
Carthage Second Punic War Carthage mint 2nd Punic War 203-201 BCE BI 1½ Shekels 24mm 9.4 g Wreathed Head Tanit - Horse stndng R hd L, raised foreleg Pellet SNG COP 394 Carthage Zeugitania AR ½ Shekel 17mm 3.8g 2nd Punic War 218-202 BCE Sicily mint 216-211 BCE Tanit l Horse r sun as double uraeus SNG COP 359 Bruttium Carthage occupation 2nd Punic War AR Half-Shekel 216-211 Tanit Horse SOLARdisc Ureai HN Italy 2016 Carthage AE Trishekel Tanit Horse 220-215 BCE 2nd Punic War 30mm 17.6g
Some stunners here that would bring certain great nations, rhyming with Scmarthage, to their knees Can always count on @Curtisimo to bring the cool ... comments and knowledge and @Alegandron to again show the most dominant collection of coins from this periodI've seen but that blazing sun behind your half shekel: @Silphium Addict your showstopping ARs and theory, that seems probable to me, are making me look more into the silver from the period... and a second mortgage Interesting @red_spork Thanks for the wonderful insight. I'd no idea I've a little Victoriatus with a arrowhead: And @Severus Alexander I hate to work my way backwards, but that reverse image of Jupiter with his thunderbolt is exceptional Your Scipio might be my favorite that I've seen... and an AR Hannibal I will say I'm surprised not to have seen more girthy Roman coins so far. I don't know something like: ROMAN REPUBLIC. Anonymous. AE Aes Grave Triens (92.37 gms), Rome Mint, ca. 225-217 B.C. VERY FINE. Cr-35/3a; TV-53. Obverse: Helmeted head of Minerva left; four pellets (mark of value) below; all set upon raised disk; Reverse: Prow right; four pellets (mark of value) below; all set upon raised disk. A pleasing specimen despite its crudeness, with charming green surfaces. A test cut across Minerva's face is noted for completeness. Ex Stacks & Bowers 2020
I can't offer anything remotely related, but great writeup, @Ryro, and nice job dealing with that BD.
This is a great topic, @Ryro ! I do tend to favor the view that the bronze, the "Escipión Africano" at the Naples Museum, is Scipio, and also that it resembles the supposed portraits on Iberian and Roman coins. (Of course, one has to mind the possibility of wishful thinking.) @Silphium Addict , I like your explanation of those three Shekels! What a wonderful set. I still need to upgrade my Spanish AE "Scipio," and hopefully get one of the bigger issues. I haven't got these top three cataloged yet, but here's my (1: top left) Cornelius Blasio denarius (112/1 BCE) with the head of Mars-as-Scipio Africanus (?); (2: top right) little "Scipio"/horse Iberian AE14 from Cartagonova (?) after kicking Hannibal out; and (3: bottom) the Q. Metellus Pius Scipio Denarius (47/6 BCE) with the elephant on the back, struck in Africa (during the Pompey's & Caesar's Civil War), evoking the successes of his illustrious ancestor Scipio Africanus the Elder in Africa and Iberia during the 2nd Punic War. Below that are some other fun coins related to 2nd Punic War. (Left) Punic Spain, the Barcids, temp. Second Punic War. Halved AR Shekel or "Drachm/Denarius" (4.09g). Cathago Nova (?), circa 237-209 BCE (temp. Hannibal, 218-206?). One might speculate that after Hannibal was expelled from Iberia, this Shekel was subjected to a "currency conversion," interestingly, cut to substantially more than "half," more like ~62% of a 6.65g original Shekel, assuming the missing half was of equal thickness/density. (Right) Latin Colonies & Allies of Rome, temp. Second Punic War. Northern Apulia, Luceria AE Aes Grave Biunx (cast, 17.86g, 26mm [9mm thick], 3h). Struck circa 217-212. Shell / Astralagus [knucklebone]. L and two pellets (mark of value). I'm sure others here know better than I do where the Aes Grave and other coinage cast or struck at Luceria circulated. My understanding is that a major Roman mint was located there during the 2nd Punic war. Were these coins cast at Luceria for local coinage, for use by Romans, or both? Carthage, Punic Spain, Carthagonova AR 1/4 Shekel (1.70g, 14.5mm, 12h). Struck c. 237 - 209 BCE (disputed dating; temp. Hannibal & Second Punic War? c. 218-209). Obverse: Laureate bust of Melqart-Hercules (with features of Hannibal?) left, club over far shoulder. Reverse: African elephant advancing right, ground line, dotted border. References: Robinson-6c, plate II; SNG British Museum 989; SNG BM Spain 102; SNG Copenhagen 293; CNH-14; AB-487; Vill-15 (Villaronga, MHC suggests Hasdrubal based on dating). Pedigree: Ex-Soley y Llach Auction 1112, Lot 49 (27 February, 2020) Spain, Arse-Saguntum. AE Sextans (c. 1.6g, 14 x 12.5mm, 9h). Mid-2nd cent AD. Obverse: Scallop or cockle shell. Reverse: Dolphin right; crescent above, Iberian character & star below. References: CNH 35; SNG BM Spain 1113-5; ACIP (Villaronga, Ancient Coins of the Iberian Penninsula) 1979; Alvarez-Burgos (FAB) 2064. Pedigree: Ex-Lucernae Numismatica (Antonio Hinojosa Pareja, Alcala la Real, Spain; 1 Sep 2014).
Well I can not believe I missed this post. Great write up Ryro. Well I had the exact same coin like yours (4th image) @Ryro that I also just finished up soaking in distilled water for over a month and half had to clean out the spot with a dentist stainless pick then dryed it in the oven followed up with a treatment of Verdi-care and no more bronze disease. We just did the the same exact thing to the same exact coin my friend ! The coin is Alright Now just like this super cool song. So I guess I need to post up some pics now I hope you like them. Here is the good ol Scipio And Scipio's arch rival Hanibal who thought Scipio was Bad Company Some of the opposition but does not have Hanibal's image. Next up a coin from Sagunto From The Siege of Saguntum, was a battle which took place in 219 BC between the Carthaginians and the Saguntines at the town of Saguntum, near the modern town of Sagunto in Spain. The battle is remembered because it triggered one of the most important wars of antiquity, the Second Punic War.
That is an incredible story! How wild is that!? For some reason coins, around this time, from Spain and Sicily seem to have a higher likelyhood of getting BD. Aaaaand that has got to be the most handsome and dashing Scipio ever! Excellent patina And a Hannibal Melqart and elephant !!!
