I've always been something of an opportunist collector. I stumble upon something interesting and unexpected, and that spurs a new collecting interest. I recently won a lot of 6 unattributed denarii, figuring I'd ID them and sell them on eBay like I often do. From the photo, I could tell there were two Republican-era denarii in the lot. I don't collect Republican coins, and I know nothing about Republican denarii, but having received the lot, I poked around online, attempting to ID them. I was very pleased and surprised when I finally figured out what this coin was: Roman AR Denarius Moneyer Issue of Imperitorial Era L. Papius Celsus, 45 B.C. Obv: Head of Juno Sophista, wearing goatskin headdress. Rev: CELSVS III•VIR - She-wolf dropping sticks onto fire as eagle fans the flames with its wings. L. PAPIVS in exergue. Crawford 472/1 Papia 2 18 mm, 3.4 g. CT member Scipio wrote about this coin back in November. Rather than rewrite the myth depicted on this reverse, I'll just redirect anyone interested to Scipio's original post: A beautiful myth in a little coin Unlike Scipio's coin, mine has the correct reverse inscription. Mine is pretty beat up, but I love this reverse and the story behind it. Even though I bought this coin to resell, I'm going to keep it. So maybe I'll start collecting Republican silver now?
nice RR, Glen. Glad you are keeping yours. I enjoy it for the myth as well as depicting Eagle and Wolf. Maybe I should etch a couple lines on the ‘L’ so that I could have a scarce one like @Scipio ?!? Roman Republic Head of Juno Sospita R, goat skin headdress, She-wolf R, placing stick on fire, eagle standing fanning flames, 45 BCE 19.0mm 4.07g Craw 472-1
This is a great coin, and although it's right up there at the top of the list of Roman Republican coins I would like to have, it's a type very difficult to find with both the flame and the eagle on the flan. They're missing from most examples I've seen. So congratulations!
