About six weeks ago I was drawn to a HJB (Harlan Berk) 'buy or bid' sale, primarily because they mentioned a modest shipping fee and minus a buyer's premium. The 'estimates' at which one could immediately purchase the coins seemed a bit high but you could bid virtually any amount you preferred---roughly speaking the percentage of the estimate you bid was equal to the probability of winning the lot. I bid on about twelve coins in the following ranges: 1/3 10-40%; 1/3 50-70%; 1/3 80-90%. Almost immediately the higher percentage bids were purchased at estimate and the remaining lots at higher bids than I placed as the days passed....but one remained that I lost track of and it turned out I won it at my bid of 40% of the estimate, although that was still substantially below a post-auction listed 'reserve'. This Republican denarius was high on my 'want list' for quite a while and has that neat 'oath' reverse of two soldiers touching a pig with their swords. Like most coins of the type, it displays signs of substantial circulation and has that lightly toned appearance that most of us prefer. The Veturii were one of the most ancient gens of Rome, with both patrician and plebian sects and they were said to originate from the Sabines. The reverse refers to the involvement/oath that ancestors of this gens took to join the Italian states at the end of the third Samnite War, ca. 290 BC. I tried two photos on my own since I was unable to download the seller's listing....I think my less than perfect attempt better captures the toning and silvery surface....but I still have lighting issues LOL Please share whatever you feel is relevant Ti. Veturius; 137 BC, Denarius, 3.90g. Cr-234/1, Syd-527, RSC Veturia-1. Obv: Helmeted and draped bust of Mars r., X and TI VET behind. Rx: Youth kneeling l., between two warriors who touch with their swords a pig which he holds, ROMA above.. Toned VF
Wow! VERY nice and it sounds like a wonderful surprise on the price! Congrats Mike! Well centered, nice wear, great history; the Solemn Oath Scene is one of my favorite themes.
Oath Scenes: ROMAN REPUBLIC TI VETURIUS AR Denarius, 18mm, 3.8g Obv: Helmeted bust of Mars right Rev: Youth kneeling l. holding pig, between two warriors who touch with their swords, ROMA above Rome 137 BCE Sear 111, Craw 234/1 Marsic Confederation / Italian Allies Social War 90-88 BCE AR Denarius 19x17.9mm, 3.7g Anonymous Issue, Corfinium Mint Obv: Italia head, l, ITALIA behind Rev: Oath-taking scene with eight warriors, four on each side, pointing their swords towards a sacrificial pig, which is held by an attendant kneeling at the foot of a standard. Comment: The reverse is based on the gold Stater and Half-Stater from the Second Punic War, and the Ti Viturius denarius... Ref: Sear 227; SYD 621
LOVE the posts!! @Bing Yours has so much detail----even a beard on Mars??? WOW!! Here's another 'series' of the OP that I took without cropping....perhaps a bit better as to how i perceive it with the naked eye.
Great suprise Mikey. Your photos are way better than mine. I seem to have more than a light issue, lol. I try
Bidding when you have a budget (and we all do), is a bit of art, a bit of science and a lot of luck. The stars aligned on this coin for you. This is a nice transition coin from years of Roma obverse silver coins.
Thanks for the comments guys!! Naturally, I still hope to get a few that pre-date this type that so many of you already have. I still try too but I never seem to get much better at it. Next I'll purchase a quality lighting system and probably even photo-shop. Hope that helps since I'm still lost when it comes to 'manual' and shutter speeds LOL
Great choice, Mikey! The pictures of the coin in the mini-easels are really nice I have a modest example of the type. Whenever I see it I hear voiceover in my head, with Prince Humperdink (Chris Sarandon in The Princess Bride) saying "I solemnly swear upon this pig..." Roman Republic, Ti. Veturius 137 BCE, Rome AR denarius, 3.85 gm Obv: Helmeted bust of Mars right Rev: youth kneeling left, holding pig; two soldiers standing holding spear and touching pig with swords. ROMA above. Ref: Crawford 234/1, Sydenham 527, RSC Veturia 1
