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<p>[QUOTE="Odysseos, post: 4689362, member: 114061"]A few additional approaches and clues to this mysterious coin type may deserve consideration. First, why would the name SPONSIANVS end on the coin type with not with NVS but NI? A lack of space? An intent to represent (NV) in combination or ligature, with the I intended to be a narrow S but lacking sufficient curves? A random error, even though all of the other lettering on both obverse and reverse is conventional and correct for the coin type represented? Also with regard to the name Sponsianus, it may be related to the Latin word Sponsum which refers to a promise, vow, or engagement. If an aspiring emperor Sponsianus did exist, it does seem likely that he would have made promises or taken vows of service to achieve his aim, and thus may have adopted such a name as Sponsianus. Second, though most sources cite a relationship to Gordian III and Philip I, Eckhel is said to mention the earlier time of Caracalla (based on the Sponsianus design rather than recovery with better-known coins or other datable items?). We may note that Sponsorinus silver "denarii" are reported but the image on that denomination shown here is radiate, as on a "double denarius" or "antoninianus" created under Caracalla but not minted then in large quantity. The denarius was made into the reign of Gordian III, though in less quantity than his abundant antoniniani. Under Philip, there was only an insignificant minting of denarii, awash in a sea of antoniniani. Therefore, the Sponsianus type existed from the time of Caracalla but did not become plentiful until the time of Gordian, Philip, and beyond. Third, what was the purpose of resurrecting a Roman Republican prototype with a statue of Lucius Minucius Esquilinus Augurinus on a column on the reverse, including the family name of Augurinus shown as C. AVG on a 135 BC coin type apparently of the moneyer Caius (Gaius) Augurinus? This is the moneyer's name written in abbreviated form, and any idea about a relationship to Roman Imperial Titles such as Caesar or Augustus must be limited to the (remote?) possibility that an alternative alternate interpretation was intended. The monument shown was near the Servian Wall's gate called Porta Trigemina and commemorates C. Augurinus' service to the Republic by reporting a planned takeover of the government in time for it to be prevented. As described in Wikipedia, "In 440 BC, a great famine had reached Rome. Given the urgency of the situation, the consuls had quickly elected a <i>praefectus annonae crearetur</i> ("Prefect of the Corn-market"), some sort of prefect of the Republic's corn supply, whose purpose it was to secure the grain supply. It was probably this year that the aedile of the plebs, Manius Marcius, organized a distribution of grain for the plebs, where each individual was given one-third of a Roman bushel (<i>modius</i>).</p><p>The example of Manius Marcius was soon followed by Spurius Maelius, a rich member of the Equestrian order, who had acquired great quantities of fresh wheat in Etruria, and then distributed it to the people for free. His popularity became such that the Patricians were convinced that he was only trying to gain support in order to become king. He had already taken measures for a coup. In the meantime, Lucius Minucius [Esquilinus Augurinus had reported the threat to the authorities, who] had Spurius Maelius assassinated... According to ancient authors, Lucius Minucius was rewarded with the erection of a statue for having alerted the patricians to the danger that Spurius Maelius posed." Perhaps any real Sponsianus would have furthered his ambition and popularity by warning (truly or falsely) of or opposing some rival's usurpation of power (perhaps Philip's usurpation of Gordian?), and been likening himself to the celebrated Lucius Minucius Augurinus. Whether ancient or modern, the Sponsorinus pieces stem from and stimulate much imagination.[/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>
[QUOTE="Odysseos, post: 4689362, member: 114061"]A few additional approaches and clues to this mysterious coin type may deserve consideration. First, why would the name SPONSIANVS end on the coin type with not with NVS but NI? A lack of space? An intent to represent (NV) in combination or ligature, with the I intended to be a narrow S but lacking sufficient curves? A random error, even though all of the other lettering on both obverse and reverse is conventional and correct for the coin type represented? Also with regard to the name Sponsianus, it may be related to the Latin word Sponsum which refers to a promise, vow, or engagement. If an aspiring emperor Sponsianus did exist, it does seem likely that he would have made promises or taken vows of service to achieve his aim, and thus may have adopted such a name as Sponsianus. Second, though most sources cite a relationship to Gordian III and Philip I, Eckhel is said to mention the earlier time of Caracalla (based on the Sponsianus design rather than recovery with better-known coins or other datable items?). We may note that Sponsorinus silver "denarii" are reported but the image on that denomination shown here is radiate, as on a "double denarius" or "antoninianus" created under Caracalla but not minted then in large quantity. The denarius was made into the reign of Gordian III, though in less quantity than his abundant antoniniani. Under Philip, there was only an insignificant minting of denarii, awash in a sea of antoniniani. Therefore, the Sponsianus type existed from the time of Caracalla but did not become plentiful until the time of Gordian, Philip, and beyond. Third, what was the purpose of resurrecting a Roman Republican prototype with a statue of Lucius Minucius Esquilinus Augurinus on a column on the reverse, including the family name of Augurinus shown as C. AVG on a 135 BC coin type apparently of the moneyer Caius (Gaius) Augurinus? This is the moneyer's name written in abbreviated form, and any idea about a relationship to Roman Imperial Titles such as Caesar or Augustus must be limited to the (remote?) possibility that an alternative alternate interpretation was intended. The monument shown was near the Servian Wall's gate called Porta Trigemina and commemorates C. Augurinus' service to the Republic by reporting a planned takeover of the government in time for it to be prevented. As described in Wikipedia, "In 440 BC, a great famine had reached Rome. Given the urgency of the situation, the consuls had quickly elected a [I]praefectus annonae crearetur[/I] ("Prefect of the Corn-market"), some sort of prefect of the Republic's corn supply, whose purpose it was to secure the grain supply. It was probably this year that the aedile of the plebs, Manius Marcius, organized a distribution of grain for the plebs, where each individual was given one-third of a Roman bushel ([I]modius[/I]). The example of Manius Marcius was soon followed by Spurius Maelius, a rich member of the Equestrian order, who had acquired great quantities of fresh wheat in Etruria, and then distributed it to the people for free. His popularity became such that the Patricians were convinced that he was only trying to gain support in order to become king. He had already taken measures for a coup. In the meantime, Lucius Minucius [Esquilinus Augurinus had reported the threat to the authorities, who] had Spurius Maelius assassinated... According to ancient authors, Lucius Minucius was rewarded with the erection of a statue for having alerted the patricians to the danger that Spurius Maelius posed." Perhaps any real Sponsianus would have furthered his ambition and popularity by warning (truly or falsely) of or opposing some rival's usurpation of power (perhaps Philip's usurpation of Gordian?), and been likening himself to the celebrated Lucius Minucius Augurinus. Whether ancient or modern, the Sponsorinus pieces stem from and stimulate much imagination.[/QUOTE]
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