50
|
Roman Imperatorial Period
R
OMAN
I
MPERATORIAL
P
ERIOD
R
ARE
R
OMAN
R
EPUBLICAN
G
OLD
A
UREUS
43 BC
Enlargement
3423
L. Cestius and C. Norbanus. Gold Aureus (8.12 g), 43 BC
. Rome. C NORBA-NVS above, L CESTIVS below, PR in right field, draped bust
of Etruscan (Tiburtine?) Sibyl right.
Reverse:
S C in upper left field, Cybele, holding patera and reins, driving cart drawn left by two lions.
Crawford 491/2; HCRI 196; Sydenham 1155; Calicó 5a (same dies as illus.).
Rare.
Lustrous and virtually as struck.
About Extremely Fine
.
Estimated Value ............................................................................................................................................................... $7,000 - 8,000
From the Goldman Roman Imperatorial Collection
.
3424
Cnaeus Pompey Jr. Silver Denarius (3.9 g), 46-45 BC
.
Corduba. M POBLICI LEG [PRO] PR, helmeted head of Roma
right.
Reverse:
CN [MAGNV]S IMP, Hispania standing right,
shield on her back, holding two spears and presenting palm to
Pompeian soldier standing left on prow, armed with sword.
Crawford 469/1a; HCRI 48; Sydenham 1035; RSC 1 (Pompey
the Great). Attractively toned. Area of weakness around border
and slightly off center.
Very Fine
.
The reverse type represents the support of Further Spain for the
Pompeian cause. The female figure, who Crawford does not
identify, is obviously Hispania, coming to lend her support
(arms) which will lead to ultimate victory (palm-branch) and the
restoration of a constitutional Republic.
Estimated Value ................................................... $500 - 600
3425
Sextus Pompey. Silver Denarius (3.8 g), 37/6 BC
. Uncer-
tain mint in Sicily. MAG PIVS I[MP IT]ER, bare head of Pompey
the Great right; behind, jug (
capis
); before, lituus.
Reverse:
PRÆF above; CLAS ET OR[Æ] / (MAR)IT EX S C in two lines in
exergue, Neptune standing left, foot on prow, holding aplustre,
between the brothers Anapias and Amphinomus with their par-
ents on their shoulders. Crawford 511/3a; HCRI 334; Sydenham
1344; RSC 17 (Pompey the Great). Irregular flan. Toned.
About
Very Fine
.
Estimated Value ................................................... $350 - 400
3426
Julius Caesar. Silver Denarius (4.14 g), 49-48 BC.
Military
mint traveling with Caesar. CAESAR in exergue, elephant
advancing right, trampling horned serpent.
Reverse:
Pontifical
implements: simpulum, sprinkler, axe and priest's hat. Crawford
443/1; HCRI 9; Sydenham 1006; RSC 49.
NGC grade AU;
Strike: 5/5, Surface: 3/5
.
There are two very different styles of Caeasr's elephant denarii
of 49-48 BC. Although neither are rare, this is by far the less
common of the two.
Estimated Value ..............................................$1,000 - 1,300
3427
Julius Caesar. Silver Denarius (3.79 g), 49-48 BC.
Military
mint traveling with Caesar. CAESAR in exergue, elephant
advancing right, trampling horned serpent.
Reverse:
Pontifical
implements: simpulum, sprinkler, axe and priest's hat. Crawford
443/1; HCRI 9; Sydenham 1006; RSC 49.
NGC grade Choice
Extremely Fine; Strike: 5/5, Surface: 5/5
.
Perhaps the most ubiquitous of Caesar's denarii, this famous
issue was struck at the time of his crossing of the Rubicon and
the beginning of the long period of civil wars which resulted in
the downfall of the Roman Republic. A few theories have been
presented explaining the obverse type, the most established
being that the elephant represents good, the serpent evil, thus
a message of the righteousness of Caesar's cause. The reverse
shows the symbols of Rome's high priest, the Pontifex Maximus,
Caesar having been elected to the office in 63 BC.
Estimated Value ................................................... $500 - 600
