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 Replies: 10 / Views: 963 |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4253 Posts |
I bought this coin even though it is broken because of the interesting and different reverse. Quote:
This piece was minted circa 100 BC under the authority of the moneyers L. Calpurnius Piso Caesonius and Q. Servilius Capeio, Quaestors. The obverse depicts the head of Saturn facing right, harpa and legend PISO behind, CAEPIO and symbol below, Q below chin. The reverse features the two Quaestors seated left between corn ears, with legends AD.FRV.EMV./EX.SC. This is an abbreviated form of "Ad Frumentum Emundum, ex Senatus Consulto". This piece was minted specifically for use in conjunction with a law that was passed to allow people to buy corn for "a semis and a triens for a modius". The Senate ordered the quaestors to strike a special issue of coins so that they could fulfil the provisions of the law. A very decent example of this scarcer historical type, issued for an early form of price control! L CALPURNIUS PISO CAESONINUS & Q SERVILIUS CAEPIO AR Denarius, Crawford 330/1a, struck at Rome, c. 100 BC OBV: Head of Saturn facing right, harpa and legend PISO behind, CAEPIO and symbol below, Q below chin REV: AD FRV EMV EX SC, the two quaestors seated left between 2 grain ears  |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2044 Posts |
Nice and interesting coin. Congrats.
I would purchase it also. Especially if the price was right.
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
36878 Posts |
Actually it doesn't look that bad as most of the design is there. I would have gone for one like this also. Been looking at many Republic Denarius and haven't seen this reverse before. Must be a scarce one.
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
4253 Posts |
I was able to pick this coin up relatively cheap because it is broken, but I agree it's not bad looking as most of the design and legends are still there.
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
1411 Posts |
Very Nice Bing! Very little lost of the design...  Also depicting those who control financial matters... Including the issue of COINS!  |
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Pillar of the Community
United Kingdom
2838 Posts |
Great story associated with the reverse, I like it |
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Moderator
 United States
23731 Posts |
Nice coin Bing, I would have picked this up also. You find some nice coins.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1316 Posts |
jw, nice looking coin, for some reason I like broken ancient coins, makes them look ancient...  .. still very nice.. |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
10045 Posts |
Interesting piece and  there could be far worse breaks than this one. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4253 Posts |
I had to look it up, but for those who don't know what a "harpa" is, here is the definition: Quote:
HARPA, a very ancient kind of instrument, in the form of a denticulated sickle, one of the symbols of Saturn who, according to a horrid myth, used it to mutilate his father, Uranus. Quote:
Mercury is also said to have used a harpa to kill Argus, and Perseus employed it as a weapon to cut off the head of Medusa I'm not sure of the symbolism on this coin other than the relationship to Saturn. |
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Pillar of the Community
United Kingdom
946 Posts |
Great find, great history! |
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Replies: 10 / Views: 963 |
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Posted 01/18/2013 12:50 pm
