Anonymous, AR Didrachm, Wolf and Twins

AR Didrachm, 7.25g.  20mm. c.275-265 B.C.  Neapolis mint(?).  Diademed head of Hercules to right; lion's skin and club on shoulder.  Rev.  ROMANO in exergue.   Romulus and Remus being suckled by a she-wolf to right.  CR 20/1.  Sydenham 6.  RBW 23.   Fine old collection toning.

Provenance/Pedigrees:
Ex: Adolph Cahn, Frankfurt, Auction 80, Feb. 27, 1933, lot 529.
Ex: Andrew McCabe collection

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good Very Fine $7,500.

P. Maenius Attiaticus, 132 B.C.

AR Denarius, 3.94g. 19mm.  Helmeted head of Roma to right; mark of value behind.  Rev. P MAE ANT; ROMA in exergue.    Victory holding wreath driving quadriga to right.  CR 249/1.  Syd. 492.  Toned with amber and blue highlights and underlying luster.

Provenace/Pedigree:
Ex: Alba Longa collection and CNG Web, Feb. 2019.

 

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Extremely Fine $1,500.

C. Cassius, 126 B.C.

AR Denarius, 3.93g. 19mm.  Helmeted head of Roma to right; voting urn behind head.  Rev.  C CASSI ROMA.   Libertas holding staff and pileus driving quadriga to right.  CR 266/1. Syd. 502.  BMCRR 1032.  Toned.

Provenance/Pedigree:
Ex: Mark Salton collection

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good Very Fine/Very Fine $250. Sold

L. Marcius Philippus, 113-112 B.C.

AR Denarius, 3.79g, 18mm.  Head of the Macedonian King Philip V to right wearing diadem and helmet with goat's horns; monogram above, "phi" below.  Rev. L PHILIPPVS on raised plague. Horseman to right holding large laurel branch; flower below. CR 293/1. Syd. 551.  Scarce; attractive collection toning with areas of deep blue and amber. 

Provenance/Pedigree:
Ex: Tom Cederlind, Portland, OR, List 90, 1990, no. 122

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good Very Fine/Very Fine $550.

Appius Claudius Pulcher et al. c.111-110 B.C.

AR Denarius, 3.85g. 17.5mm.  Helmeted head of Roma to right.  Rev. AP CL T MA Q VR.  Victory in triga to right.  CR 299/1a.  Syd. 570. Lovely toning.

Provenance/Pedigree:
Ex: EJW Ltd inventory, 2019.

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Extremely Fine/good Very Fine $500.

L. Titurius Sabinus, 89 B.C.

AR Denarius, 3.92g. 19mm. SABIN. Head of King Tatius to right; monogram in front. Rev. L TITVURI in exergue. The Rape of the Sabines: two Roman soldiers abducting Sabine women;  CR 344/1a. Sydenham 698.  Lovely old toning with amber and purple highlights; superb obverse style and struck in high relief.

Provenance/Pedigree:
Ex: Peus, Frankfurt, Auction 410, 2013, lot 242.

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about Extremely Fine/good Very Fine $1,750.

Social War, Marsic Confederation, ex: Sambon, 1927

AR  Denarius, 3.79g. 21mm.  c.89 B.C. ITALIA.  Laureate head of Italia to right, X in field to right.  Rev. Italia seated to the left on a pile of shields being crowned by Victory with a wreath; uncertain letter in exergue.  Campana 105(this coin listed).  Syd. 623.  RBW_.    Exceptional quality and probably the finest known example; luster under wonderful multi-hued toning.

Provenance/Pedigree:
Ex: Sambon, Paris, Auction June 27-30, 1927, lot 13.
Ex: Hess-Divo, Zurich, Auction 320, 2011, lot 300.

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Mint State $30,000.

Social War, Marsic Confederation, 89 B.C.

AR Denarius, Bovianum (?), Italy. 3.91g. 20mm. Laureate head of Italia to left; "VITELIU" in retrograde Oscan letters behind. Rev. Soldier standing to right holding spear and sword and resting his foot on a Roman standard; recumbent bull to right; Oscan letter in exergue. Sydenham 627. Campana 124(dies).   Historia Numorum, Italy 407. Lawrence collection, Glendining, London, Auction December 7, 1950, lot 125(same dies).  Lovely old cabinet toning and spectacular strike on a full flan; among the finest known examples.

Provenance/Pedigrees
Ex: Münzen und Medaillen, Basel, Auction 79, 1994, lot 5.
Ex: Leu Numismatik, Zurich, Auction 83, 2003, lot 603.
Ex: NAC, Zurich, Auction 51, 2009, lot 18.

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Extremely Fine $23,000.

Social War, Marsic Confederation, c.90 B.C.

AR Denarius, 3.88g.  20mm.  Mint moving with C. Paapius in Campania.  Helmeted head of Mars to left; retrograde Oscan inscription below," mutil embratur= Mutilus Imperator."  Rev.  Oath taking scene with two soldiers flanking a kneeling youth holding a sacrificial pig; retrograde Oscan legend, c paapi" in retrograde; minute flan defect at 1:00 reverse.   Campana 94. Sydenham 640a. RBW 1226. Historia Nummorum, Italy 428.  Toned.     Scarce and with a remarkably complete inscription for the name of C. Paapius C.F, Mutilus Imperator, one of the leading generals in the Italic war against Rome.   

Provenance/Pedigrees:
Ex: Triton III, NY, 1999, lot 897
Ex: Helios, Munich, Auction 4, 2009, lot 88, Lynn collection.

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about Extremely Fine $17,500.

L. Sulla imperator, L. Manlius Torquatus, 82 B.C.

AR Denarius, 3.77g. 18mm. L MANLI PRO Q.  Helmeted head of Roma to right.  Rev. L SVLLA IMP in exergue.  Sulla driving quadriga to right and being crowned by Victory from above.  CR 367/5. Syd. 757.  Toned with luster under the toning.

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about Extremely Fine $1,500.

C. Annius and L. Fabius Hispaniensis, 82-81 B.C.

AR Denarius, 3.97g. 19.5mm.  C ANNI T F T N PRO COS EX S C.  Diademed and draped female bust to right; caduceus behind; scales in front. Rev.  L FAVI L F HISP in exergue.  Victory with palm in quadriga to right of spirited horses.   CR 366/1a.  Syd.748.  Some faint hairlines,  Lightly toned with underlying luster.  

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Extremely Fine $1,750.

L. Volteius Strabo, 81 B.C.

AR Serrate denarius,   3.94g. 20mm.  Laureate head of Jupiter to right; L behind.   Rev. L VOL F STRAB in exergue.   Europa with billowing veil riding on bull to left; winged thunderbolt in field to right; ivy leaf below.   CR 377/1. Lustrous with light iridescent toning.  This may be the finest known example of this mythological type.

Provenance/Pedigree:
Ex: NGSA, Geneva, Auction 7, 2012, lot 305.

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Mint State $20,000.

A. Postumius Albinus, c.81 B.C.

AR Serrate Denarius, 3.58g. 19mm. HISPAN. Veiled head of Hispania to right. Rev.A POST A F S N A BIN. Togate figure standing to left and raising hand between legionary eagle and fasces. CR 372/2. Syd. 746.  Lovely iridescent toning and an exceptional strike.  

According to Crawford, the obverse may reference the moneyer's ancestor L Postumius Albinus who was praetor in 180 B.C. and had a successful military campaigns in Spain against the Vaccaei and Lusitani tribes.  The reverse with the togate figure may allude to military(eagle standard) and civilian(fasces) imperium. 

Provenance/Pedigree
Ex: Hess, Lucerne, Auction 249, November 13, 1979, lot 276. 

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Extremely Fine $5,500.

L. Cassius Longinus, c.78 B.C.

AR Denarius, 3.95g. 19mm. Head of Liber to right wearing ivy wreath; thrysus over shoulder. Rv. L CASSI Q F. Head of Libera to left wearing vine wreath. CR 386/1. Sydenham 779. Fine old cabinet toning.

Provenance/Pedigree:
Ex: Tom McKenna, Colorado, 1990.

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good Very Fine/about Extremely Fine $750.

C Piso Frugi, 67 B.C.

AR Denarius, 3.99g.  17mm.  Head of Apollo to right with hair band;  fraction symbol behind.  Rev.  C PISO L F FRV. Horseman holding large palm to right; uncertain curved symbol above.  CR 408/1a. Hersch(symbols MS), 336. Syd. 851k.  BMC Roman Republic 3694.   Lovely blue and amber toning with underlying luster and with the obverse in high relief.

Provenance/Pedigree:
Ex: Leu Numismatics, Zurich, Auction 77, 2000, lot 461.

 

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Mint State $2,000.

C Calpurnius Piso Frugi, 67 B.C.

AR Denarius, 3.92g. 17mm.  Laureate head of Apollo to right; arrow behind.  Rev. C PISO L FRVG.  Rider galloping to right holding whip; helmet with plume above.  CR 408/1a. Syd. 850c.  Some hairline scratches in obv. field.  Lightly toned with the obverse in very high relief. 

Provenance/Pedigree:
Ex: Peus, Frankfurt, Auction 406, 2012, lot 217.

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about Extremely Fine $875.

M. Plaetorius Cestianus, 67 B.C.

AR Denarius, 3.85g. 18.5mm. CESTIANVS S C.   Helmeted and draped bust to right with attributes of Isis, Minerva, Apollo, Diana, and Victory; cornucopia in field to right;  Rev. M PLAETORIVS M F AED CVR. Eagle on thunderbolt to right. CR 409/1.  Syd. 809.  Attractive toning.

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about Extremely Fine $750.

L Marcius Philippus, 56 B.C.

AR Denarius, 3.93g. 19mm.  ANCVS.  Diademed head of Ancus Marcius to right; lituus behind head.   Rev.  L PHILIPPVS.  Equestrian rider on aquaduct to right; flower below.  AQVA MAR within arches of the aquaduct.    CR 425/1. Syd. 919.  Lovely multi-hued toning.

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about Extremely Fine $775.

L Marcius Philippus, 56 B.C.

AR Denarius, 3.83g. 18mm.  ANCVS.  Diademed head of Ancus Marcius to right; lituus behind head.   Rev.  L PHILIPPVS.  Equestrian rider on aquaduct to right; flower below.  AQVA MAR within arches of the aquaduct.    CR 425/1. Syd. 919.  Light toning with amber highlights and brilliant luster.

Provenance/Pedigree:
Ex: CNG, Auction 112, Sept. 11, 2019, lot 530.

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Extremely Fine $775.

Q. Cassius Longinus, 55 B.C.

AR Denarius, 3.88g.  19mm.  Head of Genius to right with scepter over shoulder.   Rev. Q CASSIVS.  Eagle standing to right on thunderbolt; lituus in field to left ; jug in field to right. Crawford 428/3. RBW 1535. Sydenham 916.  Lovely iridescent toning.

Provenance/Pedigree:
Ex: Triton XXI, January 9, 2018, lot 642.
Ex: Künker, Osnabrück, Auction  September 26, 2016, lot 364

 

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about Extremely Fine $1,750.

P. Fonteius Capito, 54 B.C.

AR Denarius, 4.03g. 18mm. P FONTEIVS P F CAPITO III VIR CONCORDIA.  Diademed and veiled head of Concordia to right; some light die breaks in fields. Rev. T DIDI IMP VIL PVB.  The Villa Publica with gates attached to the columns. CR 429/2b.  Syd. 901a. Banti, Fonteia 34/1(this coin illustrated).  Lovely old collection toning and exceptionally complete.

The Villa Publica was originally built c.435 B.C. on the Campus Martius to be used for taking the census. The Villa was enlarged in 194 B.C. and was used for the levies of the army, inspection of arms, and still for the census.  Generals returning to Rome were also housed in the Villa while they awaited a decision of the Senate if a triumph was to be declared.  (See: L. Richardson Jr, A New Topographical Dictionary of Ancient Rome, pp. 430-431.

The moneyer is probably a relative of the T.Didius, consul in 98 B.C., who restored the Villa Publica.  The moneyer may also have been a friend of Cicero as mentioned in Crawford.

Provenance/Pedigrees:
Ex: Münzen und Medaillen, Basel, Auction 52, June 19, 1975, lot 394.
Ex: Bankhaus Aufhaüser, Munich, Auction 12, 1996, lot 359. 

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Extremely Fine $6,500.

C. Coelius Caldus, 51 B.C., ex: Knobloch

AR Denarius, 3.94g. 17.5mm C COEL CALDVS COS. Head of C. Coelius Caldus to right; standard inscribed HIS behind; boar below.  Rev. C CALDVS IMP AN X in columns; L CALDVS VII VIR EP V on table. Table with figure behind preparing epulum(sacred banquet); trophies of arms and armor to left and right. CR 437/2a. Syd. 894.  

The type commemorates the military victories of the moneyer's ancestor who was Consul in 94 B.C. and is a superb late Republican realistic portrait.

Provenance/Pedigree:
Ex: Mark Salton (born Max Schlessinger)  collection, Frankfurt and NY, 1914-2005, with collector's old ticket and envelope. (For bio see https://www.coin.com/indexes/?find=2485)
Ex: Frederick Knobloch collection, Stacks, New York, May 3, 1978, lot 502 with Stacks envelope. 

 

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about Extremely Fine $5,000.

Mn. Acilius Glabrio, 49 B.C.

AR Denarius, 3.87g. 18mm. SALVTIS. Laureate head of Salus to right. Rev. MAN ACILIVS III VIR VALETV. Valetudo standing to left resting left arm on column and holding snake in right hand. CR 442/1a. Syd. 922. RBW 1556. Sear, Imperator 16. Lovely old collection  toning with underlying luster. 

The types may relate to the claim of the Acilia family of having introduced the first physician to Rome.  Mommsen, as referenced in Sear "Imperators" above, mentions that the Greek physician Archagathus came to Rome in 219 B.C. and established his practice at a locale near the Acilia family home.

Provenance/Pedigree:

Ex: NAC, Zurich, Auction 114, 2019, lot 1556.

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Extremely Fine $750.

L. Hostilius Saserna, 48 B.C.

AR Denarius, 3.89g. 18.5mm. Bust of Gallia to right with long hair; carnyx behind.  Rev. L HOSTILIVS SASERNA.  Ephesian Artemis facing and holding a spear; stag to left.  CR 448/3. Syd. 953.  Sear, Imperators 19.  RBW 1570.  Lovely old cabinet toning and exceptional detail.

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Extremely Fine $5,500.

Julius Caesar, 49-48 B.C.

AR Denarius, 3.69g. 18mm. CAESAR. Spanish military mint. Elephant walking to right; serpent below. Rev. Priestly implements. CR 443/1. Syd. 1006.   Lovely old cabinet toning. 

Provenance/Pedigree:
Purchased in Germany in 1975 for 920 DM with collector envelope.

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Extremely Fine $3,350.

Julius Caesar, d.44 B.C. ex: Salton collection

AR Denarius, 4.10g. 19mm.  Moneyer, L. Mussidius Longus, Rome, 42 B.C.   Wreathed head of Julius Caesar to right.  Rev.  L MVSSIDIVS LONGVS.  Rudder, cornucopia,  caduceus, and apex around central globe.   CR 494/39a. Syd. 1096a.  Sear, Greek Imperators 116.  Spectacular portrait of Caesar and of superb quality.

The portrait of the now divine Julius Caesar on the obverse was a powerful propaganda image for the forces of Octavian and Antony who were pursuing his assassins.     The reverse type symbolizes Rome's control over the globe(land and sea) with cornucopia and rudder, Caesar's office as Pontifex Maximus with the apex, and the happiness of the Roman people with the caduceus.

Provenance/Pedigree:
Ex: Mark Salton (born Max Schlessinger)  collection, Frankfurt and NY, 1914-2005, with collector's old ticket and envelope. ( For bio see: https://www.coin.com/indexes/?find=2485)

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Extremely Fine $22,500.

P. Clodius Turrinus, 42 B.C.

AR Denarius, 3.66g.  19mm.  Laureate head of Apollo to right; lyre behind.   Rev. P CLODIVS M F.  Diana standing and facing, holding two long torches.  CR 494/23.  Syd. 1117. Sear, Imperators 192.  Lovely multi-hued toning. 

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Extremely Fine/about Extremely Fine $2,400.

Sextus Pompey, c.37-36 B.C.

AR Denarius, 3.78g. 18mm.  Sicilian military mint.  MAG PIVS IMP ITER.  Pharos(lighthouse) of Messana surmounted by a statue of Neptune; galley below with a legionary standard on the prow and a filleted scepter on the stern.  Rev.  PRAEF CLAS ET ORAE MARIT EX S C MAR.  Scylla brandishing rudder.   CR 511/4a.  Sear, Imperators 335.  Syd. 1348.  Attractive dark toning.

Provenance/Pedigree:
Ex: Triton XIX. 2016, lot 408.

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good Very Fine $3,000.