Michael Hewson Crawford (born 7 December 1939) is a British ancient historian who is widely recognized for his contributions to the study of the Roman Republic, especially in the fields of Roman coinage, economy, and constitutional history. He is an Emeritus Professor of Ancient History at University College London (UCL) and a Fellow of the British Academy (elected in 1980). We know him best as the Author of Roman Republican Coinage - the reference book for Roman Republican coins, >50 years after it's first publication. In his book, The Roman Republic, the chapter on the Social Wars, XIII, is titled "The World Turned Upside Down". Rome turned against its allies and against itself in a moment that would redfine the Roman city-state as an Italian republic, and pave the way for later upheavals, including the rise of tyrannical, brutal and narcissistic leaders that include Marius, Sulla, and ultimately Julius Caesar. This coin dates to 70 BCE the year that Rome and Italy were formally reconciled. For a long note on the timeline of the Social War and the imagery on this coin see my latest Notes page: https://www.sullacoins.com/post/italy-and-rome-the-world-turned-upside-down I am pleased to add this coin to my collection - with holidays and shipping from Europe it arrived after a long wait in the first days of Jan, 2025. Post your coins from the Social War (91-87 BC) or anything else you find interesting or entertaining.
GREAT coin @Sulla80 ! I like that one… In have posted this before, but I really like the subtle allegory of this coin… One of my FAVORITES: Roman Republic Cn. Egnatius Cn.f. Cn.n. Maxsumus, 76 BCE Denarius, Rome. [MAXSVMVS Diademed and draped bust of Libertas to right, wearing triple-pendant earring and necklace; behind, pileus. Rev. [V] - CN•N / C•EGNATIVS•CN•F Roma, on left, standing facing, left foot set on wolf's head and holding staff with her right hand, and Venus, on right, standing facing, holding staff right and with cupid alighting on her shoulder; rudder standing on prow on either side. Ref: Babelon (Egnatia) 3. Sear 326 Crawford 391/3. RBW 1429. Sydenham 787 Story, very truncated: The moneyer's family were originally a plebeian family of equestrian rank and were Samnites (had fought against Rome in THREE Samnite Wars (343–341 BCE, 326–304 BCE, and 298–290 BCE). After the Social War (91-88 BCE, with the Samnites holding out to 87 BCE), a part of the family moved to Rome, with a couple of them becoming Senators. However, one of the Senators was expelled, and also disowned his Senator Son. "No one has a saisfactory reason for this scene..." Hmmm... I wonder; this guy came from a Rebel Family (Samnites), and the Samnites were virtually exterminated after the Social War by Sulla. I think Roma stepping on a Wolf's severed head might say something..
@Alegandron, it seems your denarius is Babelon (Egnatia) 2; Babelon (Egnatia) 3 is a different coin, you can see it here: https://www.wildwinds.com/coins/sear5/s0325.html#egnatia3
I also think I shared this denarius, which I bought in 2021, before: Gaius Vibius Pansa was moneyer in the beginning of the 1st century BC and was proscribed by Sulla in 82-81 BC. Rome, 90 BC 18 mm, 3.965 g Crawford 342/5b; Vibia 1; Sydenham 684b; Albert 1191; Sear RCV 2000 edition, 242; Ob.: Laureate head of Apollo to r., PANSA behind; control-mark of Victoria and trophy, below chin. Border of dots. Rev.: C(aius)•VIBIVS•C(aius)•F(ilius) Minerva driving galloping quadriga to r., holding spear and reins in l. hand and trophy in r. hand. Border of dots. Picture courtesy mrbcoins
