Since I was still missing this denomination and it had a very nice obverse, and despite a VERY poor reverse, I decided to go after it and won it after a last minute challenge. Unfortunately, the reverse is so environmentally damaged that unless one KNEW what to expect on it, it's virtually impossible to imagine otherwise. But leave it to me to find reasons to find it desirable LOL AE-23 Uncia of the Roman Republic, 215-212 BC Rome Mint, 8.03 grams, 23 mm Attic helmeted head of Roma right, value dot behind Indistinct prow right, with dot value below Crawford 41/10 During this time period, Hannibal was denied reinforcements from Spain for his forces in Italy by the activities of General Publius Cornelius Scipio and his brother Gnaeus Cornelius Scipio Calvus ultimately defeating Hasdrubal's attempt to break through to Italy in a battle near the Ebro River. Additionally, it was during this time that Philip V of Macedon and Hannibal negotiated an alliance under which they pledge mutual support and defense....fortunately for the Romans, no significant assistance was actually rendered to Hannibal during the Hannibalic War.
There's more interesting to this coin than I think you realize. First, its on a nice broad flan which gives almost the entire border, not common with RR bronzes af all. Second, its from the Crawford 41 anonymous postsemilibral series, which is a strange series that involves both struck and cast types at differing weight standards, indicating that it is actually likely multiple issues but Crawford didn't study it enough to describe them. I believe that Roberto Russo did put quite a bit of time into studying this series in his paper on anonymous bronzes in Essays Hersh, however, but unfortunately I haven't yet bought a copy(hoping to buy one in January) so I can't tell you what sort of conclusions he came to, except that the diameter of the dotted border was important for fully identifying the semis denomination so it might be able to give you more info on your uncia as well. Like I said, I plan to pick up a copy in January if possible so if I am able to find any more info about this particular coin, I'll come back and update this thread. Suffice to say, even with the ruined reverse, I think you've got a really nice uncia there.
Well 'red', I'd say that's a foregone conclusion..... I was drawn to it by its broad flan, portrait and denomination, but the info you mention was not something I was aware of. And I'd greatly appreciate it if you would update any info you do come across. Thanks in advance I'm quite happy with it as it is, but I was annoyed that a last minute sniper jumped over my initial bids and forced me to jump over his or hers.....until then, it seemed like a nice bargain for the type and grade. But now I feel better
Wow => nice uncia, Mikey-Z (oh, and your example is mighty fine too, mentor) Yah, sadly I don't have an uncia to toss into this thread ... ... stupid wagon!!
Mikey! Great snare! Love that time period, such an incredibly pivotal time for Rome! Those seem to be difficult to get both obv and rev "pretty". Your obv is great! Lovit!
That seems to be almost ALWAYS the case and those very few that do come up, over vast stretches of time, in 'high-grade' are a bit costly. It appears they are either well worn equally or the reverse is basically a ghostly image. So this is one of the few 'issues' that I will just focus on one of a type (denomination) for the foreseeable future---but they are cool and historic and I truly LOVE that! Besides, they (Doug's and the OP) 'LOOK ANCIENT'
Nice find @Mikey Zee, and great additionnal information @red_spork. The lack of a "proper" reverses technically makes it a semuncia rather than an uncia though (just kidding, sorry MZ ) I happen to have also one from the same Cr. 41/10 series. Unfortunately the thick patina forbids me to getting a decent picture of it. Anyway, although it has two sides, the obverse on your example is far better than mine MZ Republic, Uncia Rome mint, c. 215-212 Head of Roma right wearing attic helmet, pellet behind ROMA prow of galley right 9.08 gr Ref : Crawford 41/10 Q
Very nice 'Q' !!! I think I'm going to have to copy the reverse photos of your coin and Doug's and attach it to mine so anyone can have some idea of what it should look like LOL
