These two types have been on my buy list for some time. Neither are fleur de coin but both are good enough. Roman Republic moneyer C. Egnatius Cn. f. Cn. n. Maxsumus 75 BCE* AR denarius, 19 mm, 3.82 gm Obv: bust of Cupid right, with bow and quiver over shoulder; behind, MAXSVMVS downwards Rev: distyle temple with figures of draped Jupiter and Libertas standing facing within; C EGNATIVS CN F below, CN N upwards to right, control to left Ref: Crawford 391/2; Sydenham 788 ex Andrew McCabe ex Vecchi Auction 15, 15 June 1999, lot 738 *Michael Harlan, in his book Roman Republican Moneyers and Their Coins, 81 BCE - 64 BCE, makes a case for this coin being struck in 77 BCE. Fun story about funding the construction of the Temple of Libertas, which was built in 246 BCE: Money for the temple's construction was raised from fines. A particularly generous "donor" was Claudia, sister of consult Publius Claudius Pulcher. Exasperated by the heavy traffic while returning from an event, she exclaimed "Oh, that my brother were still alive and commanded a navy!" (Her brother's navy sustained heavy losses in an unsuccessful battle with Carthage.) She was fined 25,000 asses for the insensitive comment. Note: while the account of Claudia's remark is related by both Suetonius and Livy, I haven't found the source for the amount of the fine. That bit came from Harlan's book. This is another coin for the Totally Looks Like thread ... I'm already wishing I'd held out for a better Carisius so someday I'll probably upgrade. Ironically, most of the Carisus "coin-striking implements" examples are poorly struck. Mine is no exception , although perhaps I should have held out for a better example. I don't want to spend what it will take for a great example though. (@Volodya, look away lest your discerning eyes be offended ) Self-referential: a coin that celebrates the making of coins. Roman Republic moneyer T. Carisius, 46 BCE AR Denarius, 18 mm, 3.62 gm Obv: head of Juno Moneta right; MONETA behind Rev: implements for coining money: anvil die with garlanded punch die above; tongs and hammer on either side; T CARISIVS above; all within laurel wreath Ref: Crawford 464/2; CRI 70; Sydenham 982a; Carisia 1a ex Andrew McCabe ex Baldwins 1998 These coins are part of the large issue of coins intended for distribution to Caesar's legions, who were in Rome to celebrate his quadruple Triumph. In April 46 Julius Caesar celebrated a quadruple triumph, which became famous for its extravagance. The end of four wars was celebrated: the war in Gaul, the war in Egypt, the war against Pharnaces of Pontus and the war against king Juba of Numidia. This last war had in fact been a war against the last defenders of the Roman republic, Cato and Scipio. After trying my hand at striking some coins, I do have sympathy for the poor quality of these denarii. A couple of my attempts: TIFFILY, Tiphonia c. 5th century BCE AR 16, 6.0 gm Obv: Forepart of winged iguana left Rev: Monogram within dotted square, incuse Ref: SNG Tiffily 4 TIFFILY, Tiphonia c. 5th century BCE AR 16, 7.5 gm Obv: Forepart of winged iguana left Rev: Monogram within dotted square, incuse Ref: SNG Tiffily 5 (more information on these Tiphonian coins here) Post your Cupids, Republicans, or whatever you feel fits.
Gorgeous! I so want one of those Tiphonian coins . The Republicans are nice too. I particularly like the Cupid... it is totally Fiona from Shrek!
Wow! Impressive work! What you have done here is both excellent and dangerous. Number #2 is very scary. I cant express in words how impressed I am with these creations. I want one!!!! The Denarii are cool too!!!! I love Shrek and we have all the movies. The coin celebrating the making of coins is awesome too.
Heavens, what manner of black magic is this? Will we be dunking this sorceress to see if she can float or do we assume guilt and just march her to the pyre. Idle hands are tools of the devil. Here we have irrefutable proof of his work. A couple of my attempts:
Carisius coins are so often terrible that yours strikes me as not all that bad. Considering most we see are the common fake, I'd tend to rate your example as 'good enough' just for being genuine. The Fiona is monstrously good. I'll tack on another Carisius type - the Sphinx - I'd like to upgrade but the moneyer used bad metal and sloppy workers so they are harder to find just as are the coining type. For the record: below is the common fake Carisius. Note the centering, banker's mark on cheek and flaw in the border at 10 o'clock. Don't buy one of these! I got my money back because I bought this from an honest dealer.
The Carisius is really tough to find nice. Trust me TIF, I've seen a lot worse than yours, which at least has nice toning and is quite well struck in part. I'd been looking for an acceptable example my entire collecting lifetime without even coming close, until I finally found one in an Italian auction last year. I'll try to get a decent pic. You're very fortunate to have been able to obtain the entire hoard of Typhonian staters, and wise to release them onto the market so slowly!
Here's another cupid--two actually, being forced into labor . It's among my favorite coins Roman Republic moneyer L. Julius L. f. Caesar, 103 BC AR denarius, 17mm, 3.9 gm Obv: Helmeted head of Mars left; CAESAR; ・J above Rev: Venus Genetrix in chariot left, drawn by two Cupids; lyre to left; ・J above Ref: Crawford 320/1 Jencek E-auction 26, lot 58, 14 October 2014. Ex CNG XXXI lot 699, September 1994; ex RBW Collection
Wonderful posts!!! Naturally, I have a special fondness for your RR Denarii Tif, and would love to have both!! I could EASILY overlook any 'flaw' you mentioned. I can offer one struck in the same year (87 BC) and a Carisius example with the Sphinx: L Rurius Dossenus, Juno and Triumphal chariot T Carisius, Sibyl Herophile and seated sphinx (46 BC) Edit: Make that THREE, since you just posted as I did
Hmmm, I don't where I got the 87 BC date from instead of the first as 77 BC....so I'll blame the two cats who keep jumping up on the keyboard and staring at the screen in front of me And I'll add this post of cupid and his goats
Wow, our Coin-Princess has absolutely nailed a couple more purchases!! (yah, she's so cool, eh?) I love the cupid obverse (it's simply gorgeous) .... oh, but "both" of your new OP-coins are pretty much "awesome" (I'm totally jealous of both of those new additions!!) Ummm, and it goes without saying that I've always wanted one of those almost-authentic works of TIF Art!! => yup, you are crafty, funny and intelligent => that's a wicked combination!! I have to go baby-sit the Godson, but I'll try to swoop-in again later-on (I'm sure that this cool thread will still be hoppin'!!)
Awesome denarii, and love the Tiphonii !!! I also find it AMAZING that you found ancient animated coins. The Romans were so far advanced to be able to have the cupids drawing a biga and in MOTION! Incredible!
I'm completely jealous of your Carisius TIF And I had never heard before of Tiphonia minting coins, I will die less stupid Nice acquisitions and nice job. ***** Q
two great republicans TIF...fiona cupid is fantastic, nice toning and "hot" flow lines. ...and the ancient coin featuring the making of ancient coins is a winner of course. for the TIF coins, i'll quote myself form the original post.
Oh, and cool graffiti on the Carisius ... again, I don't seem to have an ancient coin with ancient graffiti (maybe, it's just a scratch? => but I like to think it has some cool ancient meaning)
Maybe after the holidays I'll strike a few more, although the original dies have rusted (whoops, should have coated them with WD40 and stored them in a desiccant box with my coins!).
