Medusa and Pegasus

This was one Roman Republic denarius I just had to have. It seems the Romans had a peculiar love/hate relationship with all things Greek. They admired the military prowess of the Spartans and the Macedonians yet one of the most despicable terms a Roman could levy against another was 'Greekling'---an allusion to decadence and weakness---not deserving of esteem; while others viewed the Greeks with unabashed admiration bordering on unbridled love..... in utter awe of their cultural achievements. Hadrian is a classic example of a Roman 'Philhellenic' and I would imagine Nero should be considered one as well..... So this denarius of 'Corinthian' devices (Bellerophon was worshipped in Corinth), struck in the late Roman Republic, seems a bit out of place yet totally appropriate.

The moneyer appears to have chosen these devices to commemorate an ancestor who may have been a Quaestor in Corinth or Greece prior to the destruction of that city in 146 BC. Sabula struck this coin series, and apparently no others, in 74 BC and then seems to have disappeared from history.

Medusa was one of the three gorgons (and my second of the three) who had the ability to petrify every human who gazed upon them. Perseus cut off its head and from the blood was born Pegasus the winged horse of Bellerophon, a descendant of Poseidon who also tamed Pegasus---and was known as 'greatest hero and slayer of monsters'....including the adorable Chimera

Placing this denarius in historical context, among other events, in 74 BC, civil war raged in Spain and Pompey was battling Sertorius; meanwhile Mithradates VI declared war on Rome and invaded Bithynia.....and the slave revolt of Spartacus in 73 BC was finally crushed by Crassus and 'friends' in 71 BC.

L Cossutius C. F. Sabula
AR Denarius, Rome mint 74 BC
SABVLA
Winged head of Medusa left.
L COSSVTI C. F.
Bellerophon on Pegasus flying right hurling spear;
XXVIIII to left; 3.97 grams, 19.1 mm

This specific issue was not large since the highest control number is XXXXII; the posted example is #29 out of 42 known. But other sources seem to record only 38 known dies. Are the number of dies the same as the control numbers? Perhaps some of the more astute can clarify this? Anyone willing to venture a guess as to how many were struck from a typical die before repair or replacement of the existing die?

Please feel free to post any example that remotely relates to this denarius---especially 'mythological creatures'

 

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Yes yes yes!! I love this type and hope to get one someday

Nice pickup!

(As to your questions, I have no answers )

 

A very cultural historical approach. Congrats... As for the coin,indeed it talks by itself. Anyone interested in Numismatics and ancient coins feels to be flying high.

 

Utterly fantastic! This is a case where both the obverse and reverse are equally appealing.

 

Congrats! I remember your coin from the Pecunem sale earlier this month and was wondering if anyone here would pick it up . I have to confess being very drawn to this type as well, to the point that when I see an example come up on auction, I take a close second look even though I already have one of my own. I've often seen it described as scarce, but just in the last year I've seen almost half a dozen hit the blocks. Nevertheless, one of my favorite RR issues!

 

Same here.

 

Well done Mikey! That is a great looking coin!!! The coin detail is fantastic. I have a few a little earlier and a little later, but not 74/73 BCE. Bummer. I told you that you always cost me money. I am going to have to get one from this busy period!

 

Love your early strike (IIII) 'Z' !!! The obverse is so full of the details mine seems to lack....

Interesting that you have noticed so many at auction (this was the first I have 'noticed'). I regard it as scarce but not 'rare' as so many sellers seem to attach to the type---which I have always felt is an overused term primarily utilized to increase a buyer's interest, thus the ultimate purchase price by bidders.

 

I find the same about "Scarce" and "Rare" or "Very Rare", "Extremely Rare", etc. with Early Roman Republic or Roman Republic... Maybe the Rarity Terms should be changed: Not-Existent, Unique, Few, Some, a Bunch, Lots, Bunches, An Awful Lot, Loads, S***Loads... Just thoughts...

 

Great looking coin. You wouldn't happen to have a spare lying around would you?

 

Fantastic coin Mikey, thanks for the background info!

 

MZ - great coin and story!
I have seen several folks talk about estimates of denarii production. The real answer is we have no mint records and can only guess / estimate. Crawford used economics to guess the number of dies for each denarius. It is odd that he gives different obverse and reverse dies for all coins (because they wore at different rates) even when he sometimes comments that there is only one die combination for an issue.
30,000 coins per die => 40 X 30,000 = 1.2 million
By 74 BC I think Roman Legions were professional soldiers and thus needed to be paid all year. If a soldier made 2 denarii per week = 100 per year, a legion would need 100 X 5,000 = half a million per year. This issue would have kept two legions in the field for the better part of a year.
I have a book at home and will see the estimate of soldiers and their pay per year and then compare it to coins from the 3 moneyers Crawford placed in the year.

PS - found another book googling for this info, anyone have feedback on:
Money in the Late Roman Republic by David B. Hollander

 

Thanks for all the comments and posts everyone.....

I haven't examined the book/reference you mentioned @rrdenarius but I greatly appreciate your 'educated guesses' and look forward to any additional info you will post.

 

Ah yes, the Elvis Presley types, although Medusa looks more like Elvis on some than others. Zumbly's is particularly Elvis-y. Love the coins!

 

Okay, I have to whip out this photoshop job again

 

Hehe... Elvis is snakes alive!!

 

Fantastic coins, Z-bros

 

Sorry wrong thread

 

Artistic question/observation: Why, on so many coins depicting someone throwing a spear, is the spear held in one hand yet the shaft passing on the opposite side of the head? Would it really be so marring to have the spear obscuring a portion of the face, or would it really be that hard to have the thrower holding the spear in the hand "away" from the viewer? Same thing for coins with slingers, such as Aspendos stater. Obviously spears and slings are not deployed in that manner.

 

Picky, picky!