These are iconic coins commemorating the founding of Rome. They can be very interesting coins and each mint imagined it in their own ways. Yours is in pretty rough shape and I hope you didn't give too much. BTW, yours was minted at the Cyzicus mint. Here is one of mine from the Siscia mint: ROME CITY COMMEMMORATIVE AE3 OBVERSE: VRBS ROMA, bust of Roma left wearing imperial mantle and plumed helmet REVERSE: She-wolf left with twins, two stars above, dot GSIS dot in ex. Struck at Siscia , 334-335 AD 2.73g, 19mm RIC VII 240
A little rough, but very cool Kentucky, and now you're almost compelled to get the sister city commemorative of Constantinople as well.
I always watch for these in good to fine condition. They are not too costly, so the better ones are also very affordable.
Here is my nicest one. The VRBS ROMA coins were also minted with soldiers/standard and vota reverses. They are much less common than the she-wolf varieties, and tough to find in better grades...
nice impulse buy kentucky, heres mine.. Urbs Roma AE3 330-333 AD "A commemoration of the city of Rome." Obv: VRBS ROMA - Helmeted bust of Roma left, wearing mantle. Rev: no legend - Wolf and twins Romulus and Remus, two stars above. Mintmark dot SMH epsilon Heraclea mint RIC VII, Heraclea 119 rated R1
Kentucky => congrats on snaggin' yourself a classic ancient coin ... => yup, it's one of Roman Coin's Greatest Hits!! I have an example as well ...
The Wolf and Twins reverse would be revived nearly 200 years later by the Senate of Rome, during Ostrogothic rule. Follis and half-follis coins were struck with this reverse. Municipal Coinage of Rome, Ostrogothic Kingdom AE half-follis Obv: IMVIC-TA ROMA, Roma helmeted, facing right Rev: She-wolf standing left, suckling Romulus and Remus, two stars above, XX in ex Mint: Rome (struck 498-526 AD) Ref: BMC 30
Nice coin, cool to see some of you modern collectors drift to the dark side, your always welcome, love to see your ancient buys.
I've said it before, but patience is the key. Watch and wait for the right coin to come along. It will, almost guaranteed.
Patience is an extremely difficult virtue for us coin addicts---and especially those of us feeling the passage of time flashing by.....Hmmm, why do I suddenly feel like a vulture drooling on a branch????
