Call me crazy but I just picked up another one of these today. I had 4 of them but put one up for auction. Believed by many to be a portrait of the young and seemingly reckless Scipio Africanus, struck at Carthago Nova during the Roman occupation of the city during the Punic Wars. Though the Romans disdained depicting living people on coinage at this time, the young rash Scipio fresh from victory over the Carthaginian forces and far from Rome, may have used this opportunity to put himself on the coins of the now occupied city. Evidence for this theory is drawn from the odd depiction of the bust on the obverse (sporting a roman style haircut) and the fact that the Barcid family to which rival general Hannibal belonged, also had a history of putting themselves on their coins. This could be seen as Scipio taunting Hannibal, after his capture of Carthago Nova (having previously been re-founded by Hannibal's half-brother Hasdrubal). Carthago Nova Iberia, c. 237 - 206 B.C. Spain, Carthago Nova Æ Unit. Roman Occupation after 209 BC. Bare-head left (Scipio Africanus?) Horse standing right; palm tree behind. CNH Class XI, 282; SNG BM Spain 127-128; ACIP 609. 10.9g, 28mm,
Very nice example! It also perfectly shows what one would think a "Sandy" patina really looks like vs all these fake applied patinas. There was recently a thread on the subject. My poor horsey had a bout with BD. But so far it's still BD free!
@Ryro your taste of ancient coinage is right on track with what I like. Does not look like many others feel the same way here. I have one of these in a little better condition than yours that I will send your way when I get off my lazy butt and do it. Have a great day Ryan .
Thanks my man! I do love to think about the "what ifs" in history. And possibly the biggest for me is the, what if Carthage beat those losers that won, the Romans??? I won this little cutie in a group lot from Heritage, still haven't recieved it, so no size nor wait. But despite the abysmal front I've got a good feeling that artful horse on the reverse is Carthaginian:
