Another Roman Republican coin to come into my possession recently was this Denarius Serratus of L.Procilius. This coin shows Juno, (the 'Cello' player), in a 'Biga' taking the Snake for a walk, (I've been around Steve too long - Lol - no offence intended Steve), again with the 'right' arm throwing the spear over the left shoulder, (how does she do that?) L. PROCILIUS 80 BC Obv: Head of Juno Sospita Goddess of Lanuvium right with S.C. behind. Rev: Juno Sospita in biga right, holding shield and throwing spear, serpent below. L.PROCILI.F. in ex. Silver Denarius Serratus 19.5mm, 3.49gm Sydenham 772; Crawford 379/2
Ummm, I've posted it several times before, but I also have an example with Juno Sospita and a snake symbol ... here it is again => yah, ya gotta love Juno Sospita, eh? (the goat-horn look is totally in this year!!)
Nice coin! THis is one of the more interesting moneyer denarii, in part because this moneyer is a bit of a mystery. He minted two different types the same year: the serrate variety that you and I have as well as a standard, non-serrate variety(which I unfortunately do not have an example of) that featured Jupiter on the obverse and Juno Sospita on the reverse, both of which are relatively common. He was also the only member of the gens Procilia who minted coins(or at least, minted coins with his family name on them), but unfortunately, he is otherwise unknown to history. It's thought that his family hails from Lanuvium based on his affinity for Juno Sospita types and Lanuvium being the center of the cult of Juno Sospita, and Crawford mentions that he may be the same Procilius whom Cicero records prosecuted and condemned for misconduct(including murder) circa 56 BC. He may also be the historian Procilius, though once again, there's really no way to be certain. At any rate, these Procilius types are some of the more interesting of the various "moneyer" types of the 1st century BC and you've added a wonderful coin to your collection. My example is below: Roman Republic, L. Procilius, moneyer, AR Serrate Denarius(3.895g, 19.3mm). 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, private purchase from Roma Numismatics, 2009
Thanks R.S. I was having some difficulty finding out anything about the moneyer, that I could rely on. I appreciate the notes. "Live and learn." Great stuff. Great coin, too. It is what mine looked like before it 'lived'. (A bit like me.)
Nice TC L PROCILIUS ROMAN REPUBLIC; GENS PROCILIA AR Denarius OBVERSE: Bust of Jupiter right, SC behind REVERSE: L PROCILI F, Juno Sospita advancing right with sheild, spear aloft and serpent before Struck at Rome 80 BC 3.7g, 19mm Cr379/1, Syd 771, Procilia 1
Nice coin and spear observation. I think you have it wrong on the hand. JS must be a right brained, touchy-feelie god and is throwing with her dominant left hand. From the Dictionary of Roman Religion by Adkins & Adkins: Juno Sospita Mater Regina (Juno Savior, Mother, Queen) was a goddess of fertility and protection. Her temple, Forum Holitorium means a vegetable garden. I do not have one, yet, but I know the one I want: The one to go with my plumb bob collection:
@> rrdenarius. Sorry, but I don't think that the coin you have put up is L.Procilius I think it is L.Papius. (I shall be putting my one of those up next.)
Only one I have a pic of: My example of the other type is ex Triton I, lot 1180, but I don't have a pic.
Sorry, rrdenarius, I was a bit 'quick off the mark'. (I should always read everything twice.) When I re-read your post I see that you were referring to the Goddess and not the Moneyer, which would make your choice of coin correct. (Sorry.)
