Newp: Pinarius Natta, AR Denarius, 155 BC

This denarius is a birthday gift from my dad that recently arrived. A while back he had asked if there was any way he could get an ancient coin for me, so I sent him a few from my Vcoins wishlist and I think he definitely chose the best one of the group. Really beautiful old cabinet toning on this one and the bust of Roma is even better in-hand. Unfortunately, I don't have much to write about the history on this one: Crawford indicates that the name of the moneyer is not completely certain, and there are no writings mentioning this particular Pinarius Natta, if that is his name, but that he is likely related to the Pinarius Natta who is thought to have minted a very similar issue(Crawford 208) in 149 BC, which only differs in a few small stylistic ways and also in its reverse legend being "NATA" as opposed to "NAT".

While I can't say much about the moneyer, there are some really interesting things to note. The first is its value: the "X" on this coin indicates a value of 10 asses because this coin was minted before the re-tariff of 141 BC which saw the denarius revalued at 16 asses. Additionally, you can see a few "tick marks" that have been made on this denarius. Those were to confirm that it was made of solid silver(and not simply a plated counterfeit), and are a sort of ancient equivalent of someone checking a bill with a counterfeit detector pen today. With some issues like athenian tets, test cuts are quite common, but with Republican issues you see far fewer test cuts but lots of punch marks, some that are small ticks like these, some that are in the shapes of letters or various symbols. Some people have event built collections around trying to collect as many punch marks as possible.

Full ID: Roman Republic AR denarius(19.18mm, 3.45g). Pinarius Natta. 155 BC. Obverse: Head of Roma right in winged helmet, X (mark of value) behind. Reverse: Victory in galloping biga right, holding whip and reins, NAT below horses, ROMA on tablet in exergue. Near VF. A few bankers tick marks. Crawford 200/1; Pinaria 2; Sydenham 382

Anyone else got any pre-retariff denarii? Let's see 'em!

 

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That is a wonderful example red and another RR I would like to add some day.
One of mine:

M CARBOI ROMAN REPUBLIC
AR Denarius
OBVERSE: Helmeted head of Roma right, laurel branch behind, X below chin
REVERSE: Jupiter driving quadriga right holding thunderbolt & eagle tipped scepter, M CARBO below horses, ROMA in ex.
Struck at Rome 122 BC
3.21g, 18mm
Cr276/1

 

Very nice indeed, and a wonderful gift from your father!

 

Really nice coin and write up! I will point out that several types of post reform (16 as) denarii also have the X value mark. Many crossed the X making the ligate XVI or * but some took the plain X to mean denarius and did not bother with the detail that the rate went to 16. The most common X denarii of the early days are the anonymous and symbol marked coins with biga or Dioscuri reverses. There are a few fancier ones but most of those will be after the retariff. Mine is a Dioscuri reverse but was fancied up with the addition of a victory on the X.



...also beware of fourrees in this period.

 

Yeah I have read a bit about the post-reform/re-tariff coins still marked with X, and it makes sense. Denarius basically means "tenner" so it's easy to understand why they'd still put 10 on a coin called a "tenner". I was actually a bit worried about this being a fouree by the low weight, but none of the punches seem to reveal any underlying bronze so I think it's OK.

 

what does that mean?

 

nice gift.

 

Basically just any denarii before ~141 BC when the value was re-tariffed from 10 asses to 16 asses.

 

Nice addition, red_spork (that was awesome of your Dad)

Sadly, I don't have any denarii from that era ... 137 BC is my oldest example

Sex. Pompeius Fostlus
Roma & Wolf Suckling Twins



... close, but no cigar



=> but it's now been added to my want-list

 

L. FLAMINIUS CHILO ROMAN REPUBLIC; GENS FLAMINIA
AR Denarius
OBVERSE: ROMA; helmeted head of Roma right, ROMA behind. Denomination mark X before
REVERSE: L. FLAMIN below, CILO in exergue; Victory driving galloping biga right
Struck at Rome 109-108 BC
3.75g, 19mm
Crawford 302|1 / Sydenham 540 / Flaminia 1

 

ANONYMOUS ROMAN REPUBLIC
AR Denarius
OBVERSE: Helmeted head of Roma right; behind, X
REVERSE: The Dioscuri galloping right; in exergue, ROMΛ in raised letters within linear frame
Struck at Rome 214-213 BC
19.8mm, 3.45g
Sydenham 140. Crawford 44/5

 

Terrific posts and a great OP photo, narrative and GIFT!!

My applicable denarius is dated 149 BC and has the helmeted head of Roma and the Dioscuri on horseback on the reverse---like some of the others but indicating C Junius....

 

C RENIUS
AR Denarius
OBVERSE: Helmeted head of Roma right, X behind
REVERSE: Juno Capriotina in biga of goats right, C RENI below goats, ROMA in ex
Struck at Rome 138 BC
3.6g, 16mm
Cr231/1, Syd 432

 

You RR guys sure have a lot of great coins. Stop posting right now! Don't make me go buy one!!

 

Its too late for me. Threads like this one made me buy one yesterday. I will post it when I return home from the coin convention.

 

lol

 

hey Zee,

this coin from ROMA numismatic?

 

I really feel I need this coin!

 

great gift RS!

yeah, i don't have a republican with the roma obverse, it's on my list...pretty high up there. in a broad survey collection, like mine, that's something i think i need in there.

NEED IT IN THERE NOW!

back on wagon.