Iuno Sospita Magna Regina

This Roman Republic denarius is only one of several I have been bidding on this month and of the six Greek and RR types I was after (replacing one with another as I was outbid) this is the only one I am able to call my own. The abbreviation I S M R---spelled out in the title--- translates to Great Queen Juno the Preserver (or Defender)---a favorite deity of the moneyers hometown of Lanuvium......and the bull on the reverse may be a pun or wordplay on his name---as well as representing, like the Lion or Eagle, authority, strength and power. Please correct me if I am mistaken.

It appears this coin was struck during the 1st Consulate of Marius and just prior to the 'Social Wars'.....and this historical context greatly enhances the coins overall appeal for me. It also differs significantly both in artistic style and chosen devices than others in my collection....and it was very affordable.

Please post any of the type or any other RR denarii that you feel relates in any way at all.

AR Denarius, L Thorius Balbus, Rome mint 105 BC
Head of Juno Sospita right wearing goats skin with horns, ISMR behind
Bull charging right, T above L
THORIVS below, BALBVS in exergue
3.86 grams, 18 mm
Thoria 1, Crawford 316/1 Sydenham 598

 

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This is a type I love and yours is an excellent example.

L. THORIUS BALBUS ROMAN REPUBLIC; GENS THORIA
AR Denarius
OBVERSE: Head of Juno wearing goat-skin headdress, acronym I. S. M. R. behind.
REVERSE: Bull charging right, F. above, L THORIVS below, BALBVS in exergue
Struck at Rome 105 BC
3.92g, 19mm
Cr 316/1, Sydenham 598, Thoria 1

 

Nice score Mikey.

I have one of the type, but if your bull is realistic, mine is kind of as if it was engraved in an impressionnist way. It's followed by another Iuno Sospita depiction


L. Thorius Balbus, Denarius Rome mint, 105 BC
Head of Juno Sospita right, wearing a goat's skin, ISMR behind
Bull charging right, L above (control letter), L. THORIVS BALBVS in two lines at exergue
3.93 gr
Ref : RCV # 192, RSC, Thoria # 1



L. Procilius L.F., Denarius Rome mint, 80 BC
Laureate head of Jupiter right, S . C behind
Juno Sospita right holding spear and shield. A snake at her feet. L . PROC[ILI/F] behind
3.77 gr
Ref : RCV # 306, RSC, Procilia # 1

Q

 

Hey C, your Procilius is another I love. It looks like Juno is playing a violin.

 

That's a fantastic example...I LOVE them all!!!

 

Wow Mikey-Z => that's a very sharp example of a fantastic coin (your coin has super eye-appeal)

Oh, and great coins from the CT-gang as well

=> I also have a couple of Thorius Balbus examples ...

 

I don't have any of Thorius Balbus but I do have a denarius of L. Procilius that features Juno Sospita:


AR Serrate Denarius(3.895g, 19.3mm), L. Procilius, moneyer, Rome mint, 80 BC. Head of Juno Sospita right, wearing goat-skin headdress; S•C behind / L PROCILI F, Juno Sospita, holding spear and shield, in biga right; serpent below. Crawford 379/2; Sydenham 772; Procilia 2.
Ex. Andrew McCabe collection

This moneyer minted two different types in 80 BC: the non-serrate version that Bing and Q have and the serrate type that I and a few others here have.

 

cooooooool find

 

I love the artistic variations posted...and the different 'types' of the moneyers...as the posts of Steve and Red so wonderfully illustrate

And who can't love Steve's cool and attractive 'brockage' !! A left/right portrait for the price of one !!!

 

Super jealous!

Fantastic coins!

Erin

 

I always loved this coin! No bull about it!

Hey, with everyone's control letter as you read down: it spells TFLAF ... the local slang of the day for COOL! (nope)

 

=> Nice thread-addition, red_spork (I love the serpent, below)

Yah, I love "all" the examples with Juno Sospita on the obverse ...

I have a few sweet examples to toss into Mikey's thread ... hopefully that's okay, Mikey-Z? (I'm sure it is => you rock, coin-bro)

L. Papius
Juno Sospita with Snake symbol & Griffin with Dog symbol


L. Papius
Juno Sospita & She-wolf layin' wood on fire, while eagle fans the flames


L. Roscius Fabatus
Juno Sospita & Girl feeding Snake (virginity test)


=> man, these sweet ol' AR RRs are wonderful coins, eh? (I love the interesting reverses ... oh, and the neat symbol-types) ..... great coins, fellas

 

extra G want to trade for an L...

 

All of these coins in this thread is awesome. I have yet to expand into the RR and I am on the fence on this one. Expanding into another area will definitely irk my wife...

 

Join the crowd. I collect RR coins because of the interesting reverse varities besides the typical biga/quadriga. But even those can be interesting with added field devices.

 

that's a stellar example MZ!

 

Here's mine.


Edited: and one more

 

sweet!!

 

+1 !!!!