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<p>[QUOTE=&quot;dougsmit, post: 3074024, member: 19463&quot;]I have often expressed my strong aversion for coin types showing nothing more than someone standing there.&nbsp; I don&#039;t care if you are a major god from Olympus, don&#039;t just stand there, throw a thunderbolt or carry off a struggling maiden --- do something.&nbsp; My coin show purchases from yesterday included two Roman Republican types showing action heroes.&nbsp; Both were issued by junior, aspiring politicians who wanted you to associate them with a Roman hero who just happened to be their grandfather.&nbsp; At that time it was unacceptable to blow your own horn but pointing out that you were descended from a long line of saviors of the State was perfectly acceptable. </p><p><br /></p><p>The first of M. Servilius requires the viewer to know the details of the battle scene with two warriors fighting with hoses rearing in the background.&nbsp; Grandpa was a war hero. The coin has a dark tone concealing some nicks that would ruin its slabber surface rating more than its eye appeal.&nbsp; The part that is important to me is the reverse figures are fighting and not just posing for the camera.</p><p><br /></p><p><b>M. Servilius C.f. </b>100 BC. AR Denarius&nbsp; Helmeted head of Roma right; Pi to left / Two warriors fighting on foot, each armed with sword and shield, horse prancing behind each; I in exergue. Crawford 327/1; Servilia 13.&nbsp; [ATTACH=full]772824[/ATTACH]</p><p><br /></p><p>The other is more specific showing the action of family pride was in the war in Sicily.&nbsp; This issue of 71 BC is the first appearance on a coin of the title IIIVIR (Triumvir).&nbsp; We add a few points for the obverse head not being the ordinary Roma but Virtus.&nbsp; In Republican terms, &#039;standing there&#039; coins I prefer to avoid include Roma heads and someone driving a horse drawn chariot.&nbsp; There are just too many of that common type so it is nice to have something else.&nbsp;&nbsp; Here we see Manius son (filius) of Manius and grandson (nepos) of Manius the hero of Sicily. I find a bit of interest in the impression of the edge of the reverse die showing the size of the punch as it crosses the serrations at reverse left.&nbsp;&nbsp; Is Sicily holding something in her right hand or is that just an overly long arm?</p><p><br /></p><p><b>Mn. Aquillius Mn. f. Mn. n.</b> 71 BC. AR Denarius VIRTVS III VIR, helmeted bust of Virtus right / MN. AQVIL. MN. F. MN. N., the consul Man. Aquillius facing, head right, raising Sicilia. Crawford 401/1;&nbsp; Aquillia 2.</p><p>[ATTACH=full]772831[/ATTACH][/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>

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