In The Eyes Of The Beholder.....

Unless a collector has a deep craving for denarii of the Roman Republic, this rather worn example may not generate much interest, yet I immediately recognized it as a significant variation from those I already own and decided to go after it. The obverse of 'Sybil' is artistically rendered and the tripod reverse interesting if not spectacular, communicating the moneyers ancestral connection to the fifteen responsible for maintaining the sacred books---- the 'torque' around the tripod stressing the 'Torquatus' cognomen of a branch of the Manlii. As an added 'bonus' the coin is considered highly scarce and given a R3 rating.....and the provenance of Clain-Stefanelli speaks for itself.

Lucius Manlius denarius, Rome mint, 65 BC
18mm, 3,42 grams; RRC 411/1b, CRR 836
Head of the Sibyl wearing a grapevine wreath, SYBIL below.
Front view of a tripod, all within wreath/torque, two stars over amphora
L TORQVAT III VIR

Please post any coin you would like to share......

 

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This a wonderful example that I have been trying to get . Nice toining, perfect wear, well centered... Well done. Nice bankers mark too. A great departure from a lot of the RR Denarii. Well done snaring this one Mikey!!!

 

Oh, so that's Volodya's avatar. While editing pictures for the necktie project, I wasn't sure of the attribution.

Yours is a "wholesome" example. Evenly worn coins just beg to be touched, don't they?

 

I agree, I think that is why I am more attracted to gently worn coins... you really FEEL that you can hold them... and touch the history of all those that originally transacted the coin. "Wholesome" is a good word... I feel that is what this hobby is all about: to be able to hold and touch the coins, enjoy them, feel the history that they represent. And to realize all those people from Ancient times were like you and me...just regular folks in a different time.

 

Two thumbs up Mikey. I would most certainly accept this coin into my collection.

 

Worn, for sure, but so evenly (heavenly ?) that it's very attractive

Q

 

I have that same irresistible urge to 'fondle' that nicely worn coin

 

Wear doesn't bother me, great looking coin all around. Never seen the type either.

 

One of my favorite RR types. I like mine enough that I use it as my avatar. It's one of two coins with a special tag in my trays instructing my heirs to use it on the cover of my auction catalogue:

 

That is a SPECTACULAR example....simply gorgeous!! That would definitely be my 'flagship' coin!!

 

As a collector honest wear does not bother me. It is an indication that many, many people great and humble, used a coin for what coins were designed to do, facilitate commerce. Think of all the uses that denarius was put to, what products and services it bought, what hands fingered it, and why it escaped the melting pot. If this coin could talk what stories it could tell.

 

Absolutely!!!

 

A real beauty! Congrats!

 

The artistic quality shines through, regardless of the condition. It really is quite beautiful.

 

Wow, well done @Mikey Zee ! Kinda hard to find. For funsies, I went out to eBay, Vcoins, MA-Shops, and Sixbid just to read more about it and to see how many were out there... NONE.

 

Thanks @Alegandron !!!

I had never noticed that type before or ever saw it offered for sale until I stumbled across it as I usually do when eventually purchasing coins....and I didn't place it as @Volodya's 'avatar' until TIF mentioned it. Of course that coin is incredible and almost an entirely different 'animal' LOL

 

Nice denarius. The wear doesn't detract the appeal of the coin, and the toning is a nice added touch.

 

What a wonderful coin Mikey! There are so many coins I admire that are nowhere near perfect examples. I love damaged, weatherworn ancient statues and monuments. Worn and even eroded coins should be judged individually on their own historical and artistic merit as well. Some less than perfect coins are like impressionistic paintings to me. Often there is enough left to convince me that I am looking at a true work of art. Yours is more than that in my humble opinion. I actually like it better than some of the better preserved examples posted here. Beautiful!

More coins with mileage on them please...

 

Unfortunately prices realized suggest a decent Fine like this will attract little attention even compared to a poorly centered poorly struck VF. Volodya's coin is perfect and would have been better than the OP even if it were worn to the same amount because of the on flan obverse legend. There may be a better one with better reverse centering but I do not recall seeing it.

 

WHAT?!? I've got to wait for you to die to get a crack at those coins?!?!