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A Symbol for the Republic? A Janus-and-Prow As
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<p>[QUOTE="Carausius, post: 3192068, member: 76440"]While the stories told 250 years after the introduction of the numismatic imagery are fun to read, I wouldn't put much trust in their factual basis. Janus and the Prow were first used together on Roman Republican bronze coins in the 3rd century BCE following the defeat of Carthage in the First Punic War. In that context, Janus likely alludes to the doors of the temple of Janus being closed (a symbol of the war's end). The Prow is likely a nod to the importance of Rome's navy in the victory. The first joint appearance of these devices are on large, cast Aes Grave libral asses (asses weighing one Roman pound). Actually, the weight standard of the As had reduced to about 10oz by the time this type was introduced,but we still call them "libral". The devices continued to be used on Asses after the introduction of struck bronze coinage during the Second Punic War.</p><p><br /></p><p>Here is a "libral"as of this early type, circa 225-217 BCE, Crawford 35/1, weighing 260 grams, 63mm in diameter:</p><p><br /></p><p>[ATTACH=full]824277[/ATTACH][/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>
[QUOTE="Carausius, post: 3192068, member: 76440"]While the stories told 250 years after the introduction of the numismatic imagery are fun to read, I wouldn't put much trust in their factual basis. Janus and the Prow were first used together on Roman Republican bronze coins in the 3rd century BCE following the defeat of Carthage in the First Punic War. In that context, Janus likely alludes to the doors of the temple of Janus being closed (a symbol of the war's end). The Prow is likely a nod to the importance of Rome's navy in the victory. The first joint appearance of these devices are on large, cast Aes Grave libral asses (asses weighing one Roman pound). Actually, the weight standard of the As had reduced to about 10oz by the time this type was introduced,but we still call them "libral". The devices continued to be used on Asses after the introduction of struck bronze coinage during the Second Punic War. Here is a "libral"as of this early type, circa 225-217 BCE, Crawford 35/1, weighing 260 grams, 63mm in diameter: [ATTACH=full]824277[/ATTACH][/QUOTE]
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