The Gaulish/Celtic war trumpet was a wind instrument used in battle and perhaps special festivals by the Iron Age Celts. We can find them on many Roman coins because the Romans spent a lot of time fighting these tribes across the frontiers of the Republic and Empire. From what I've read, there aren't many Carnyxs (is that the correct plural spelling?) that are still surviving today. Imagine dozens of these things blaring at you from across a meadow as you stand in formation waiting close battle. And some coins: Julius Caesar. Denarius, mint moving with Caesar 48-47, AR 3.88 g. Female head r., wearing diadem and oak-wreath; behind, TII. Rev. CAE – SAR Trophy with Gallic shield and carnyx; on r., axe. B. Julia 26. C 18. Sydenham 1009. Sear Imperators 11. Crawford 452/2. M. Furius L.f. Philus, Denarius 121, AR (19mm, 3.56g, 3h). M·FOVRI·L·F Laureate head of Janus. Rev. Roma standing l., wearing Corinthian helmet and holding sceptre, crowning trophy flanked by a carnyx and shield on each side. To r., ROMA and in exergue, PHLI. Babelon Furia 18 var. Sydenham 529 var. Crawford 281/1 var. An apparently unrecorded variety (no star on reverse before Roma’s head). Please share your coins with a Carnyx on them!
I believe so. According to the all knowing Wikipedia, the Deskford Carnyx in Britain may have been a draco because it was made of Bronze. I clearly know very little if I'm relying on Wikipedia.
I've put stuff on Wiki, so....no you can't trust anything there. However, I did not know what a Carnyx was before your post. Although if the question arose on Jeopardy, I would have gone with "what is the street term for Art Carney's larnyx?" since "Someone who has never been in my kitchen" seems to been taken already.
A few Carnyces: AR Denarius(19mm, 3.86g). Marcus Furius Lucii filius Philus, moneyer, 119 BC, Rome mint. Laureate head of Janus;around, M·FOVRI·L·F, Border of dots. / Roma (wearing Corinthian helmet) standing left, holding sceptre in left hand and crowning trophy with right hand; above, star; behind, ROMA upwards; the trophy is surmounted by a helmet in the form of a boar's head and flanked by a carnyx and shield on each side; in exergue, (PHI)LI. Crawford 281/1, Sydenham 529, RSC Furia 18, BMCRR (Italy) 555 Roman Republic AR denarius(21mm, 3.73g). L. Licinius Crassus, Cn. Domitius Ahenobarbus and associates, 118 BC. Narbo, Gaul mint. L·POM – P – ONI – C NF Helmeted head of Roma right / Bearded warrior in fast biga r., holding shield, carnyx and reins and hurling spear; in exergue, L·LIC·CN·D(reverted)OM. Crawford 282/4. Sydenham 522a. BMCRR 1193. RBW 1109.
Dawg!! => you snuck that baby in just before the buzzer!! (I like you) Oh, but I have this sweet puppy ... it's a double dawg!! cheers, coin-bro
L COSCONIUS MF ROMAN REPUBLIC AR Denarius Serratus OBVERSE: Helmeted head of Roma right, L . COSCO . M . F around, X behind REVERSE: naked Celtic warrior (Bituitus), brandishing a spear & holding a shield & carnyx, driving a racing biga right, L LIC CN DOM in ex. Struck at Rome, 118 BC 3.72g, 19.13mm Cosconia.1. Cr.282 / 2 M FURIUS Lf PHILUS ROMAN REPUBLIC AR Denarius OBVERSE: Laureate head of Janus; M•FOVRI•L•F around REVERSE: Roma standing left erecting trophy, gallic arms around, ROMA to right, PHLI in ex. Struck at Rome, 119 BC 3.81g, 18.35mm Crawford 281/1, Syd 529, BMCRR (Italy) 555, Furia 18
Great additions coin friends! Spork, that flan on your Crassus et al is like a freaking manhole cover! Right on! Edited with illustrations for our non American speaking friends:
I can't provide a carnyx, but what RIC describes as an "asses head" I think is a draco Trajan Decius (Augustus) Coin: Silver Antoninianus IMP C M Q TRAIANVS DECIVS AVG - radiate, draped, & cuirassed bust right DACIA - Dacia standing left, holding draco standard (or vertical staff surmounted by ass's head) - Mint: (249-251 AD) Wt./Size/Axis: 4.07g / 22mm / - References: RIC 12b RSC 16 Can't figure out how to do strikeout.
Always love a carnyx thread! Those low growly notes the guy on youtube gets out of the instrument are fierce and ominous. The cacophony of a dozen carnyx players in your advancing legion would definitely strike some fear into your enemies!
