This denarius was listed on a Dutch ebay-like site. The pictures were rather poor, and I absentmindedly placed a bid of €40 (~45 USD) on it, and then forgot about it. In the evening however, the seller agreed upon my bid, and two days later, the coin arrived. It was in so much nicer condition than expected! The superb cabinet toning is suggestive of some older provenance (indeed, the seller told me that the coin belonged to the collection of a diseased family member) - I haven't yet found it though. ROMAN REPUBLIC, Quintus Minucius Rufus. Denomination: AR Denarius, minted: Rome, Italy; 122 BC Obv: Helmeted head of Roma to right; behind, RVF and below chin, X Rev: The Dioscuri galloping to right; below horses, Q·MIN[V] and in exergue, ROMA Weight: 3.86g; Ø:18mm. Catalogue: Syd. 421; Craw. 277/1.. Provenance: Ex private collection; acq.: 11-2020 Post your bargains!
That's indeed a very nice Roman denarius with terrific toning! You got it for a steal. I found it very hard to make ancient bargains this year. Most auction prices went through the roof, and I was mostly outbid even on coins I placed comparatively strong bids on. Yet, a trusted small seller I sometimes buy from recently had a small group of Thasos trihemiobols and priced them to sell quickly. I got this little fellow for €39, which I consider a bargain: Islands off Thrace, Thasos, AR trihemiobol, c. 411-350 BC. Obv: Satyr kneeling l., holding kylix. Rev: ΘAΣ-IΩN; amphora. 12mm, 0.87g. Ref: SNG Copenhagen 103.
Several years ago, I did the same thing as you. Made a low-ball bid, forgot about it, then WON. I got this one at a similar price as you, and found out later, that this is a difficult one to find. RR Quinarius 212-195 BCE 1.8g Luceria mint Anon Craw 98B-1 R
I am not an Ancients collector but I certainly enjoy the posts and all the background information that goes with them. Thank you all.
Thanks all! I really enjoy this coin, and I must say, I like the photo as well. Zooming in, details become visible: What do these stars signify? Any idea's? I like how nonchalant Dioscuri nr. 1 is driving his horse with one hand. What does this horizontal line signify? ... the actual horizon? No idea.
Fabulous coin from the second term of Gaius Gracchus as tribune and the year before he was killed by the Senate who saw his legislative agenda and popularity as a threat. More of the historical context here. Q. Minucius Rufus, AR Denarius, Rome, 122 BC. Obv: Helmeted head of Roma to right; behind, RVF and below chin, X. Rev: The Dioscuri galloping to right; below horses, Q·MINV and in exergue, ROMA. Ref: Craw. 277/1.
A very nice coin, quite apart from that bargain price! Nice score. The two lines are their spears. I'm not entirely certain about the stars that appear above their associated egg-shaped caps, but I suppose it could be a reference to the twins being the brightest stars in the Gemini constellation?
While we are on the subject of the Dioscuri: Public Domain Image Roman Victory The Battle of the Lake Regillus A Lay Sung at the Feast of Castor and Pollox on the Ides of Quintilis, in the Year of the City CCCCLI ... But, Roman, when thou standest Upon that holy ground, Look thou with heed on the dark rock That girds the dark lake round. So shalt thou see a hoof-mark Stamped deep into the flint; It was no hoof of mortal steed That made so strange a dint. There to the Great Twin Brethren Vow thou thy vows, and pray That they, in tempest and in fight, Will keep thy head alway. ... -Thomas Babington Macaulay (1888), Lays of Ancient Rome, Battle of the Lake Regillus
