Wasn't originally planning on getting this one, but with the coin I purchased sold already, seller offered to sell me another coin or my money back. This looked like a decent coin, was cheap in price, and my collection lacks Roman Republic coins like its not even funny, so I went off my beaten path a bit and chose this one. I'm too lazy to search for an attribution right now, but I do believe its from the late 200s BC correct? And seller has yet to get back to me on its size, so what would be the approximate size for this type? Thanks.
An interesting addition. I havent jumped into roman republic bronze, only silver. I mainly havent only because I dont find them too attractive for my personal tastes. Theres alot to study with these, if interested.
Nice coin, I like it! Those can be different sizes. Just have to wait until the seller tells you or when you get it. Would have to know if it's an As, semis, etc.
Jango => that's a sweet new AE RR ... I love those coins!! I didn't try to track-down your coin, but I have a few ranging from 180 BC through 80 BC (maybe I'll try to show them a bit later on) ... Gil-galad is correct (knowing the denom, weight, etc, would certainly help with the ol' search)
I see coins like yours with the prow reverse for sale on Ebay, but I don't own any and I know little about them. I think yours shows is an anonymous bronze Republican semis showing the head of Saturn and the prow of a ship. I often am tempted to bid on this type, however. Good addition.
I'm pretty sure that the good ol' "S" (mark of value) is associated with a "Semis"? Roman Republic Post Reform AE Semis (Anonymous) Rome Mint Circa 88 BC? Diameter: 21 mm Weight: 5.96 grams Obverse: Laureate head of Jupiter right (or perhaps Saturn?); S (mark of value) behind Reverse: Prow of galley right; S (mark of value) above; to right, dolphin downward, ROMA in exergue Reference: Crawford-; Sydenham_; BMCRR II, p. 589, 10 Other: 2h, dark green patina
Ummm, again => always take ancient coin-advice from stevex6 with a grain of salt, but as with the "S" and the Semis, I'm thinking the three-pellets must be an indicator for a "quadrans"? (gawd, I don't even believe my own hypothesis!!) ... anyway ... here is a quadrans for comparison ... Anonymous AE20 quadrans 128 BC Diameter: 20.2 mm Weight: 4.29 grams Obverse: Head of Hercules right, wearing lion’s skin; behind, three pellets Reverse: Prow of galley right; above, elephant’s head right; before, three pellet; below, ROMA Reference: Crawford 262/4; Sydenham 497b; Caecilia 41 Other: scarce
Ummm, yah I know that Doug speaks of even bigger AE Roman Republics, but these two babies are as big as I can show ya ... They're two examples of an AE As ... in these cases the "I" is definitely the mark of value (fer sure) Anonymous, Roman Republic Æ As Rome Mint Circa 179-170 BC Diameter: 35 mm Weight: 33.82 grams Obverse: Laureate head of Janus; I above Reverse: Prow of Galley right; “FLY” above, [ROMA] below Anonymous Roman Republican Æ As 169-158 BC Rome mint Diameter: 35 mm Weight: 26.42 grams Obverse: Laureate head of bearded Janus; I (mark of value) above Reverse: Prow of galley right; above, she-wolf standing right, head left, suckling the twins Romulus and Remus; I (mark of value) to right
So Jango => ummm, after all of that coin-overload => I'm fairly sure that's an "S" in front of your prow, so I think that you're lookin' at a sweet Semis (that's a cool cool coin) ... Cheers brother (thanks for allowing me to air-out my wares!!)
the As crossed my mind as well, on VK's coin there is a sharp angle behind the jaw...like there could have been another janus face on there.
Once you have it in hand searching for the attribution should be easier. If you don't already have it bookmarked, Andrew McCabe's site is a good first stop for Roman Republicans. It's a little cumbersome to navigate but when it comes to RRs, he's the man. http://andrewmccabe.ancients.info/
In case you wondered how it is that Andrew McCabe knows a bit about Republicans, he posted a photo of his bookshelves. Not all of these are books on Republicans but he is a bit top heavy when it comes to the series. I'd guess over half of these books are on Republicans and many of them are rare books. You can read the spine labels if you click on the small photos. http://www.flickr.com/photos/ahala_rome/sets/72157641011578314/
I got the coin in the mail today. Width is 21/22 mm, and weight I'd say around 9-10 gr. I've tried to find a matching coin to mine but, although there were close ones, have had no luck. I'm hoping someone can help me out with these measurements.
I looked some more and I've narrowed it down to two possible attributions: Star series Æ Semis. Rome, 169-158 BC. Crawford 196 (for this example) 2. 13.23g, 24mm, 7h Anonymous (staff series), Semis,Rome, 206-195 BC, AE, (this example) 14,71g, 27 mm, 6h. Crawford 112/4; Sydenham
I'm not certain that the portrait in the original image has a beard. Of course, you would know better with it in hand.