My latest coin is from 82BC and the time of Sulla's dictatorship after he settled quickly with Mithridates of Pontus and returned to Rome to counter his political rivals. Full story here: https://www.sullacoins.com/post/ulysses-return I've added poll to see how the CT crowd might grade this coin....vote if you have an opinion. Post coins from the 80's BCE (any, Greek, Roman, Eastern...) or anything else that you find interesting or entertaining.
Since the 6th c. BC the coins of the city of Argos show an animal (or forepart, or head of an animal) always described as a wolf. On Athenian coins, there is a head of Athena On coins of Phocaea, there is a seal (in Greek phoke = seal) On coins of Carthage, there is a palm tree (in Greek phoinix = palm tree, but also Phoenician, Punic) Don't you think the wolf on coins of Argos should be interpreted as Argos, Ulysses' dog, feeling his master is back at last? (not my coin)
"Argos" in Greek (Ἄργος) can be translated into English as "shining" or "bright" and seems to have been connected to agricultural plains. I think the name is the same but there is no connection to Odysseus. Argos is one of the oldest cities in Greece and has been continuously inhabited for thousands of years. Its name most likely has pre-Greek origins (pre-Odysseus origins). My notes on this coin are here: https://www.sullacoins.com/post/greeks-wolves-and-cleopatra
L CENSORINUS ROMAN REPUBLIC; GENS MARCIA AR Denarius OBVERSE: Laureate head of Apollo right REVERSE: L CENSOR, the satyr, Marsyas, standing left with wineskin over shoulder; behind him, column surmounted by draped figure (Minerva?) Rome 82 BC 3.66g, 17mm Cr363/1d, Marcia 24 L CORNELIUS SULLA & L MALIUS ROMAN REPUBLIC; GENS CORNELIA AR Denarius OBVERSE: Helmeted head of Roma right, L MANLI PROQ REVERSE: Triumphator in quadriga right, crowned by Victory, L SVLLA IMP in ex. Rome 82 BC 3.9g, 17mm Cr367/5; Cornelia39 PUB CREPUSIUS ROMAN REPUBLIC; GENS CREPUSIA AR Denarius OBVERSE: Laureate head of Apollo right, sceptre over shoulder REVERSE: Horseman right, brandishing spear; P CREPVSI in ex Rome 82 BC 3.64g, 17mm Syd 738a, Cr361/1c, Crepusia 1 L CORNELIUS SULLA FELIX ROMAN REPUBLIC; GENS CORNELIA AR Denarius OBVERSE: Diademed head of Venus right REVERSE: Double cornucopiae; Q below Rome 81 BC 3.77g, 19mm Cr 375/2; Syd 755; Cornelia 33
When I search my Database for Argos, (the reason that I got both of these coins), both of these coins show up! Argos the Dog, Argos the Wuff-Dog. RR C Mamilius 82 BCE AR Den Serrate Mercury winged petasos caduceus Ulysses Dog Argos Sear 282 Craw 362-1 ARGOLIS Argos 490-470 BC AR Triobol 14mm 2.9g Forepart of wolf lying - A 2 incuse sqs pellet crossbar within shallow sq incuse BCD Peloponnesos 1009 R
Sulla et Gens: RR Manlius Torquatus L. Corn Sulla 82 BCE AR den 17mm 3.7g Mil mint w Sulla. Roma - Sulla triumpl quadriga vict wreath Cr 367-3 Syd 759 S 286 RR Faustus Cornelius Sulla 56 BCE AR Den Venus Signet Pompey S 386 Cr426-3 Athens AE19 c 87-86 BCE Time of SULLA Athena Zeus Sear Grk 2567 R1 RR P Cornelius Sulla 151 BCE AR Den Roma Biga S 84 Cr 205-1 SULLA's Uncle RR Naevius Balbus 79 BCE AR Den Venus SC TRIGA Sulla S 309 Cr 382-1
I especially like Uncle Publius as an easily overlooked Sullan relative! https://www.sullacoins.com/post/sulla-s-uncle-or-grandfather
The triumphator in the quadriga is no other than L. Cornelius Sylla. Of course, due to the small size of the coin, his features could not be reproduced, but it's obviously him. These denarii are the very first Roman coins representing a living person.
My tetradrachm of Argos, you can see the wolf/dog leaping by Zeus' knee. c.190 B.C., a rare type and mine is probably the best example I've seen. Pops a lot more in hand.
My denarius of Gaius Valerius Flaccus who was mostly neutral during the Sullan Civil War and this coin was then minted after Sulla ermerged victorious. This coin was struct in Massalia (Marseilles) in Gaul with approval by the Roman Senate to help Flaccus pay his troops during the remaining months of his governorship in Gaul. C. VALERIUS FLACCUS Marseilles mint circa 82-83 BC 19mm 3.85g Crawford 365/1b Obverse: Bust of Victory with caduceus on the right Reverse: Legionary Eagle flanked by two millitary standards that read (H) Hastati and (P) Principles. EX. S.C below.
