Roman Republic M. Furius L. f. Philus AR Denarius Date: 119 BC Diameter: 19.6 mm Weight: 3.8 gr Obverse: Laureate head of Janus. Reverse: Roma, holding spear and wreath, trophy of Gallic arms and a carnyx left and star above, ROMA to right. References: Crawford 281/1
=> wow, we've made it down to single-digits (Coin #9) ... please continue to add your comments (thanks guys)
Quote: In ancient Roman religion and mythology, Janus is the god of beginnings and transitions, thence also of gates, doors, doorways, endings and time. He is usually a two-faced god since he looks to the future and the past. The Romans dedicated the month of January to Janus.
Quote: The carnyx was a wind instrument of the Iron Age Celts, used between c. 300 BC to 200 AD. It was a type of bronze trumpet, held vertically, the bell styled in the shape of a boar's, or other animal's, head. It was used in warfare, probably to incite troops to battle and intimidate opponents. The instrument's upright carriage allowed it to be heard over the heads of the participants in battles or ceremonies.
Quote: Gallic Warrior with Carnyx - I Century B.C.
... ummmm, I didn't know what a carnyx was, so I researched it and gathered a bit more cool coin-knowledge regarding my coins (I'm having fun!!)
Once again Steve you've brought another great coin to this thread. Really love the history behind this one. The Carnyx musical instrument is very interesting. Especially when used in battle to be heard over the roar of fighting armies. Totally cool!
Ligate legends could make a specialty collection. Also note that collectors change the spelling to a later form M. Furius L. f. Philus while the coin reads FOVRI (genitive meaning that the coin is 'of' the moneyer). It is common for the name of the moneyer to be split between the two sides of a coin. Again, collectors catalog coins based on the family name (here Furius) so this coin is Furia 18 in Roman Silver Coins Volume I by Seaby (book recommended) with the feminine form of the family name used in that case. Each coin is a little Latin lesson.
I also like Sear Millennium Edition volume 1 for Republicans where this is coin 156 (for those of you who love catalog numbers). He even makes little comments about some coins that add interest to my way of collection. He lists the coins by date of issue which makes them harder to find. He calls this coin a 'radical departure from the conventional iconography'. Before that time most denarii were boring repetitions of a couple types with Roma head obverses but this special issue showed the following officials that it was OK to issue coins with original artwork. Previous radical moneyers used a special reverse but kept the Roma head obverse. Seriously, how many of us would collect these coins if they all were Roma and Chariots?
I'm in mourning today, for my favorite NHL team (the Vancouver Canucks) were knocked-out of the playoffs last night ... a moment of silence, please ...
ROMAN REPUBLIC C Servilius Vatia AR Denarius 127 BC. Rome Mint 19 mm 3.85 grams Obverse: Winged, helmeted head of Roma right, lituus behind, ROMA below, * under chin. Reverse: C•SERVEIL below two horseman galloping left, one looking back weilding a sword & being speared by the other who holds a round shield inscribed with an M. Ref. Servilia 6: Cr264/1, Syd 483
=> please continue to post your comments (thanks, fellas)
Quote: In traditional Roman religion, Roma was a female deity who personified the city of Rome and more broadly, the Roman state
Quote: The earliest certain cult to dea Roma was established at Smyrna in 195 BCE, probably to mark Rome's successful alliance against Antiochus III
Quote: In 189 BCE, Delphi and Lycia instituted festivals in her honour. Roma as "divine sponsor" of athletics and pan-Hellenic culture seems to have dovetailed neatly into a well-established and enthusiastic festival circuit, and temples to her were outnumbered by her civic statues and dedications
Very nice coin indeed - I hope in the remaining week we can hit 10,000 views for this thread. Pretty sure thats never happened in the ancients section before.
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Posted 04/22/2012 08:45 am
