Book and Coin Pairs

One of my favorite coins is the RR denarius of L. Cassius Longinus. Today I saw a book with this coin on the cover: Politics in the Roman Republic, by Henrik Mouritsen, Cambridge University Press. The book outline is interesting, but the $52 price for a book that go several layers down in my to read pile will post pone it's purchase.


My coin:


The coin shows voting in Rome and is one of three coins with this theme. (At least I think there are only 3: Cr-292/1, Cr-413/1 and Cr-428/2.)

L. Cassius Longinus (63 BC), Silver Denarius, 3.89g. Mint of Rome.
Obv - Veiled and draped bust of Vesta left, S below chin, kylix behind.
Rev - LONGIN III V , male figure standing left, dropping tablet inscribed V (Uti rogas) into cista
This coin is interesting in that it appears to lack the personal and family names of the moneyer. However, appearances can be deceiving. On the obverse below the chin of Vesta is a control letter, and the only letters employed on this issue are C, A, S, I and L. If one collects enough coins of this moneyer, he can then spell the moneyer’s name in full. But why might a moneyer do this? In the case of L. Cassius Longinus it appears to relate to the recent exposure and suppression of the Catiline conspiracy. One of the most notorious members of the conspiracy whose task it was to burn down the city of Rome was one L. Cassius Longinus, but not the same person as our moneyer! $ 900
Crawford 413/1
Grueber Rome 3931
Sydenham 935
Bab, RSC Cassia 10

I did buy Harlan's book Roman Republican Moneyers and their Coins 63 - 49 BC in part because of this coin. The coin was been re-dated after analysis of the Mesagne Hoard.

Post your book and coin pair.

A book and coin pair of mine, 3 Graces:

 

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What a challenge! I could find only 1 coin I own that is depicted on the cover of a book...The History and Coinage of the Roman Imperators 49-27 BC. (but it is on the back cover).

 

These type bot appear on Failmerzger's cover.


This one appears in the book, a plate coin.

 

I believe I am CLOSE... but not quite the cigar on the back of Sear's book...



RImp Antony-Octavian AR Denarius 41 BCE 3.65g 18.7mm Military mint Syria star Craw 528/2a; Sear 1507

 

Here is my favorite pairing: a book on the comet that appeared in 44 B.C. and a coin minted by Augustus to commemorate it 25 years later.



And here are two denarii from my collection. The holed example is usually in a plastic case in my pocket as a good-luck piece. The second is being held on reserve for me by Steve at Incitatus Coins.

 

Here is an interesting example from fiction:

First, the book 666 by Jay Anson (Author of The Amityville Horror). In the book, a corroded sestertius from the mad emperor Nero. The protagonist finds the grungy old ancient in a bathtub while investigating a mysterious house. Later, he has a dream of the coin being heated red-hot and thrust into the mouth of a tortured prisoner. He then begins to have terrifying visions when he handles the coin. He later has it identified at a local coin show by an expert. The author gives a detailed description of the coin. Later, I found the same coin type also offered for sale by Steve at Incitatus Coins (and in similar condition - yikes!). It was a real tough decision between this sestertius and the comet denarius shown above. In the end the historical story behind the comet denarius won out.

 

I have a book on Diaduminium that was written by baccus2, a member on another forum. I have it on a cd somewhere, I lost it from my PC when I lost my data
These were plate coins which may explain their overcleaned appearance.


and Dad

 

PLATE COIN:


Campania AE Apollo-Achelous -275-250BCE PLATE COIN 3 KNOWN RARE SNG ANS 474 - Listed Potamikon pg 232 Plate 343 (Author @Nicholas Molinari )

 

@chrsmat71 nice dolphin! I am sure there are plenty of these swimmers on CT coins.

 

I'd LOVE to have that dolphin. Wanna trade? I"ll throw in the Danny the Dolphin book to sweeten the deal!

 

wrong thread! doh! Sorry! I was looking for my dolphin pics!

Here funny book pic to further waste your time.

 

Nice theme for a thread !





Q

 

Poor man´s gold:
My brassy Sestertii and Dupondii posing with the Aurei on the back of Sear Vol.II:

 

I posted earlier about this book. In it, a corroded ancient Roman sestertius is found in the bathtub of a mysterious house and yields horrifying visions of torture when held. A detailed description of the coin is given, so it was easy to identify it as the one struck to commemorate the military campaigns against the Parthians. Most examples are pretty pricey, but I was able to find a corroded and beaten-up one on eBay for $40. Here are pics of mine:




I'm still waiting for it to reach me from England. I'll let you know if I get any horrifying visions the first time I touch it!

 

Since this book is in the mail to me...

 

I love the Folio Society books. I have a number of them. They are excellent quality and can be picked up used for very little money. I may have to look for a copy of this one.

 

I have several Folio Society books, mostly ancient history titles (of course), but also a few Classics.

There is a Penguin edition of Lives of the Later Caesars, but it ends at Elagabalus while I believe the Folio goes to Numerian.

 

Just bought The Lives of the Later Caesars -The Folio Society from Ebay. Looking forward to it.

 

Hard to go wrong I believe.