I have a brockage of the Roman Republican denarius shown above. The picture above is from Ernest Babelon, Cosconia 1, published in 1885. I purchased the coin ~15 years ago- probably even earlier - my record keeping was non-existent before then. At the time it was one of the best preserved denarii in my collection. It is an interesting Roman Republic denarius - struck in Narbo, Gaul. Crawford (RRC) describes the style as "markedly different" and "unparalleled" for both the erratic legends and the unusual administrative structure represented on the coin. It is signed by 2 senior moneyers (IIviri col. deduc.: the two highest officials responsible for leadership of the colony) - L. Licinius Crassus (L LIC on reverse) - Cn. Domitius Ahenobarbus (CN DOM on reverse) and a junior moneyer - L Cosconius (L COSCO M F on obverse) 4 other junior moneyers issued coins in this series with the the 2 senior officials. Narbo Martius, modern day Narbonne, France, was established as a colony ~118BC as a strategic location on the road to Spain. The date, not without some past controversy, is based on this passage from Paterculus: "A colony was established at Narbo Martius in Gaul about one hundred and forty-six years ago in the consulship of Porcius and Marcius." - Velleius Paterculus, Roman History, 1.15.5 Establishing a colony in Narbo was controversial in Rome as the senate worried about conflict with local populations and the scope of responsibility. The pro-colony argument was led by L. Licinius Crassus, who is described by Cicero a few decades later. As he [Crassus] was then desirous to have the honour of settling the colony of Narbo (as he afterwards did) he thought it advisable to recommend himself, by undertaking the management of some popular cause. His oration, in support of the act which was proposed for that purpose, is still extant; and reveals a greater maturity of genius than might have been expected at that time of life. - Cicero, Brutus, a History of Famous Orators, 160 It seems that a colony was a "popular cause" because it would have the potential to grant access to both trade and farm land/land grants. Here's the brockage coin: L. Cosconius M.f., 118 BC, AR serrate denarius, Narbo mint Obv: Helmeted head of Roma right; X behind Size: 3.7g, 19mm And the companion, added this week, a properly struck version of this coin with the reverse my brockage was missing. L. Cosconius M.f., 118 BC, AR serrate denarius, Narbo mint Obv: Helmeted head of Roma right; X to left Rev: Gallic warrior (Bituitus?), naked, driving a galloping biga right, hurling spear and holding a shield and carnyx Size: 3.94g, 19mm Ref: Crawford 282/2; Sydenham 521; Cosconia 1 The reverse references victories over the Gauls, and there are aguments that it could be a reference to Gallic King Bituitus, captured by the father of Cn Domitius Ahenobarbus - another subject of scholarly debate. Comment and corrections to any of the above are always appreciated. Post anything you find entertaining or interesting.
Your brockage photo would be more effective if you used the same lighting used for the normal coin. When you light a normal relief from the bottom as on the obverse of the brockage the bright area under the chin and shadow on top of the head tells the brain there is something strange. The same lighting direction on the reverse (brockage incuse) places the light and shadow areas where they make sense so the side that should be wrong looks right and the side that is right looks wrong. My brockage Republican:
Cool Brockage, and great detective work, @Sulla80 Mine: I like it as “ROMA” is retrograde, like Oscan language of the Marsic Confederation from the Social War. RR AR Denarius ERROR BROCKAGE ROMA Helmeted Head-Incuse and reverse of obverse - 2nd-1st C BCE
Thanks for the tip - here's an updated photo. There is some dark toning and roughness on the surfaces on this coin - both may complicate the shadow effects. I still see the brockage side on this image as if it were a normally struck obverse (other than reverse lettering). simple, well centered - and I also like the cryptic mirrored ROMA. I think I see a visible "BEO" on the obverse - Q. Fabius Labeo, Rome, 124 BC or maybe a contemporary imitation?
Alegandron said: Cool Brockage, and great detective work, @Sulla80 Mine: I like it as “ROMA” is retrograde, like Oscan language of the Marsic Confederation from the Social War.... @Sulla80 stated: “simple, well centered - and I also like the cryptic mirrored ROMA. I think I see a visible "BEO" on the obverse - Q. Fabius Labeo, Rome, 124 BC or maybe a contemporary imitation?” Hmmm... nice observation... RR AR Denarius ERROR BROCKAGE ROMA Helmeted Head-Incuse and reverse of obverse - 2nd-1st C BCE Here are a couple of mine... and, yeah, my Brockage looks like a match as a Labeo: Roman Republic AR Denarius Q. Fabius Labeo 124 BCE 18mm 3.7g Rome - Roma X below - LABEO Jupiter in quad Prow LABI Cr 273-1 Syd 532 Sear 148 RR Fabius Labeo 124 BCE AR Den Quadriga last X or XVI Sear 148 Cr 273-1 THANKS, @Sulla80 ! I think you solved my mystery brockage!
