Roman Republic: silver denarius of moneyer L. Furius Brocchus, ca. 63 BC

Roman Republic: silver denarius of moneyer L. Furius Brocchus; Ceres and curule chair, ca. 63 BC



NGC Ch VF; Strike 5/5, Surface 4/5.

Additional images on CollectiveCoin page.

Obverse: III VIR BROCCHI, bust of Ceres right, between wheat ear and barley corn.

Reverse: L FVRI C N F, curule chair between fasces.

Composition, diameter, weight: Silver, 18 mm, 3.9 g, die axis 180º.

Authority/ruler: Rome; Moneyer L. Furius Brocchus.

Catalog info: Sear-365, Syd-902, Cr-414/1.

Grade, cert. info: NGC Ch VF (Strike 5/5, Surface 4/5), cert. #4166941-005.

Provenance: Imperator Coins, 10/27/2014 (noted “ex-Chiltren collection”); previously CNG eAuction 296, Lot 219, 2/13/2013.

Notes: Possibly overstruck- there appear to be traces of an undertype visible in areas such as beneath Ceres' nose and below the curule chair.

Wikipedia links:
Roman Republic
Moneyer
Ceres (mythology)
Curule chair

Additional links:
Wildwinds page: L. Furius Brocchus denarius
Auction listing (CNG eAuction 296, Lot 219)
Collectors Universe thread, 10/26/2014
Collectors Universe thread, 11/05/2014
"Eclectic Box" collection gallery

 

@stevex6- "coinpliments" is a most excellent word, and should be included in the Oxford English Dictionary, I say!

The (six?) ancients I posted this morning have exhausted my supply in this category for the time being, but as I continue moving my Box of 20 from Collectors Universe over to here, we'll be heading into the medievals next.

Next repost will be one of my favorites: the Aethelred II ('The Unready") Anglo-Saxon English penny. That will move us into the Dark Ages, then it'll be medievals, then early modern, then... well, you get the idea.

 

@Orfew- that was the major selling point for me as well. Be sure to check out the alternate photos. Though technically rather modest in grade, this VF has stuck around in my set for the time being, due to its eye appeal and the fact that it's the only Roman Republican piece I presently own.

It's good to see you over here. How goes it with the Twelve Caesars collection?

 

Since Photobucket is so sketchy nowadays, I'll post the secondary image here. It's kind of shadowy, but does show an alternate angle to give some idea of the nice cabinet toning on this piece.

This thread resurrection is because for some reason this coin was on my mind this morning. I've been thinking of maybe upgrading my Roman Republican coin in the "Eclectic Box" to a denarius in EF or better - perhaps with a more interesting design - but upon revisiting this one, I realize I'm not in any huge rush to part with it. It is "only" a VF, but pretty darned nice for the grade. You'll note it has been in my sig line banner image for a while.

 

@Sallent - thank you. I consider that high praise, and live for comments like yours.

This one isn't new - I bought it two or three years ago - but was worried about the fate of my Photobucket images so I reposted that secondary picture just to salvage it, and to nudge this thread back into the sunlight briefly (eh, why not?)

As to sticking to a limit on the size of one's collection, it is difficult indeed. In fact, I recently expanded the "Eclectic Box" from a "Box of 20" to a "Box of 25". And I caught myself looking at a thirty-count slab box just last night (it is on sale, too - but I think the handle mounted on top would make it too high to fit inside my safe-deposit box ... hmm...)

A very restricted budget is what made me adopt a small fixed-size collection in the last four years. I think that has actually taught me a tiny bit of self-discipline ("quality over quantity") and has been a healthy experience for me.

Otherwise I'd be all over the place. I love it all, you see.