I have a single Roman Republic denarius. And it's one of my very favorites. It's from 135BC and was struck in Rome under moneyer C. Minicius Augurinus, whose monogram on the reverse of the coin shows as C.AUG. Reference: RRC (Crawford) 242/1 The obverse shows the head of Roma with the value mark X which, thanks to your informational video, I have now learned no longer means 10, since by 135BC the denarius had long since been retariffed to 16 asses. The reverse is the first of the architectural types, featuring a spiral column representing the Columna Minucia outside the Porta Trigemina in the Servian Wall. The Columna Minucia was erected in 439BC to honor family patriarch L. Minucius Augurinus, who both oversaw the distribution of the grain during the 440BC famine, and uncovered a coup attempt against the patricians. C. (Minicus) Augurinus designed the reverse to remind Rome of the longevity, service, and benevolence of the Minicius Augurinus family he was a part of. BTW, this video inspired me to became curious about what the moneyer was trying to convey and I found the above information as a result. So why did I buy this coin if I did not understand its significance in the history of the Roman Republic until now? I bought it because of the Sponsian Horde, which emerged from obscurity with the publication of the soil particle study in December 2022. This republican denarius was used as the model for two of the gold Roman Imperial coin forgeries in the 1713-unearthed Sponsian Horde. This horde was most assuredly a set of 17th c gold coin forgeries, buried and then "discovered" after an appropriate amount of time had passed. The obverse of this coin was used as the model for the obverse of the Philip coin in the horde. The reverse of this coin was used as the model for the reverse of the fictitious Sponsianus coin in the horde. This republican coin was most likely chosen as a model for some of these cast forgeries due to the text on the reverse, C.AUG. The forgers probably assumed it stood for Caesar Augustus, potentially adding further value to the forgeries. (I have also added to my collection the Philip II and Gordian III coins also used as models for other coins in the Sponsian horde.)
The Sponsian hoard is indeed very interesting! Im inclined on the theory that the Sponsian coin was just some attempt at making a cast coin from some ancient goldsmith, but there are quite a lot of cool theories on the origin of the piece. As to why did I start collecting republican denarii, my initial reason was quite banal: I liked the depictions of Roman gods on the 1st century BC pieces and wanted to collect them! Only later did I come across the deep political messages these coins conveyed. Thats when I trully got hooked. These coins have a way of teaching you about the Roman way of life and of doing politics that no imperial denarius is capable of doing.
@@ClassicalNumismatics that is very insightful. I’m going to consider collecting more Republican coins as well, so as to gain some insight into the rise and fall of the Republic.
Another great interesting video. I love Republic denarius. 2 of my favorites have beautiful reverses like Jupiter driving a Quadriga and the other has Hercules wrestling with the Lion with his bare hands naked with his weapons on the ground. Very fun to collect
Very cool stuff- I really knew nothing about Republican Roman coins until I started watching your videos and now I find them just fascinating. I got my first one recently dated to 154BCE with ROMA and the DIOSCVRI on it, from the moneyer C. SCRIBONIVS, in rather excellent condition. It also has a tiny hole in it so someone in the distant past wore it as a charm, or maybe jewelry, and I just love it.
I have only two republican denarii. One is minted under M. Herennius (108-107 BC) with the head of PIETAS on the obverse and the image of Anphinomus carrying his father. Saving the father is an expression of Pietas. The other is minted under P. Crepuscius (82 BC) with the head of Apollo on the obverse and a horseman with a spear on the reverse.
Thanks for another fascinating video; I have just acquired my first three Roman Republic denarii, and also a quintarius. Like you mentioned, it takes a little extra research to ascertain what type they are, but I finally found details for them all. They were minted between 114 and 97BC, and it just blows my mind to think that someone was spending these over 2,000 years ago!
Would you like to support the channel and my work? 💰 Help the Channel by "Buying me a Coffee": www.buymeacoffee.com/classicalnumismatics Consider buying some channel Merch! You get a cool T-Shirt or Mug and you help me make more Ancient Numismatics content. Thank you! leob.creator-spring.com/
I have a number of Republican denarii in my collection, but one of my favorites was issued in 58 B.C. by M. Aemilius Scaurus and Pub. Plautius Hypsaeus. The inscriptions are divided up with Scaurus' name and titles on one side, and Hypsaeus on the other. Both men list their titles as "AED CVR", so they were both Aediles just like the one coin you showed from 84 B.C. This coin of mine was part of an issue struck to commemorate Scaurus' role (he was Governor of Syria at the time) in defeating Aretas III. There are a couple known varieties according to RSC but I only have the one. In his book "Guide to Biblical Coins" David Hendin calls this coin (coin 1441 in the fifth edition, not sure if that changed in the latest edition) one of the earliest examples of a Roman moneyer memorializing an event from his own career on the coinage.
Really nice video! I have been collecting strictly Roman republican for a year now, and absolutely love the series. One thing I love particularly about it is the bronze series. Will you do a video on the bronze series of the roman republic?
I own two republic denarii. One worn roma/quadriga type by Lucius Gargulus and a magnificent Cybele/camel denarius dedicated to Pompey's conquest of Judea. The latter has a curious legend "BACCIVS IVDAEVS"
Can't help but think of Cybele's "city walls" crown as a skyline of skyscrapers.
I have a single Roman Republic denarius. And it's one of my very favorites. It's from 135BC and was struck in Rome under moneyer C. Minicius Augurinus, whose monogram on the reverse of the coin shows as C.AUG. Reference: RRC (Crawford) 242/1
The obverse shows the head of Roma with the value mark X which, thanks to your informational video, I have now learned no longer means 10, since by 135BC the denarius had long since been retariffed to 16 asses.
The reverse is the first of the architectural types, featuring a spiral column representing the Columna Minucia outside the Porta Trigemina in the Servian Wall. The Columna Minucia was erected in 439BC to honor family patriarch L. Minucius Augurinus, who both oversaw the distribution of the grain during the 440BC famine, and uncovered a coup attempt against the patricians.
C. (Minicus) Augurinus designed the reverse to remind Rome of the longevity, service, and benevolence of the Minicius Augurinus family he was a part of.
BTW, this video inspired me to became curious about what the moneyer was trying to convey and I found the above information as a result.
So why did I buy this coin if I did not understand its significance in the history of the Roman Republic until now? I bought it because of the Sponsian Horde, which emerged from obscurity with the publication of the soil particle study in December 2022.
This republican denarius was used as the model for two of the gold Roman Imperial coin forgeries in the 1713-unearthed Sponsian Horde. This horde was most assuredly a set of 17th c gold coin forgeries, buried and then "discovered" after an appropriate amount of time had passed. The obverse of this coin was used as the model for the obverse of the Philip coin in the horde. The reverse of this coin was used as the model for the reverse of the fictitious Sponsianus coin in the horde. This republican coin was most likely chosen as a model for some of these cast forgeries due to the text on the reverse, C.AUG. The forgers probably assumed it stood for Caesar Augustus, potentially adding further value to the forgeries.
(I have also added to my collection the Philip II and Gordian III coins also used as models for other coins in the Sponsian horde.)
The Sponsian hoard is indeed very interesting! Im inclined on the theory that the Sponsian coin was just some attempt at making a cast coin from some ancient goldsmith, but there are quite a lot of cool theories on the origin of the piece.
As to why did I start collecting republican denarii, my initial reason was quite banal: I liked the depictions of Roman gods on the 1st century BC pieces and wanted to collect them! Only later did I come across the deep political messages these coins conveyed. Thats when I trully got hooked. These coins have a way of teaching you about the Roman way of life and of doing politics that no imperial denarius is capable of doing.
@@ClassicalNumismatics that is very insightful. I’m going to consider collecting more Republican coins as well, so as to gain some insight into the rise and fall of the Republic.
I recently purchased a Lucius Julius denarius. It’s crazy to think that he could be related to Julius Caesar.
I have 3 Republican denarii. I really enjoy them!
Funny I just purchased a Denarius of Mn. Fonteius today. Thanks for more information on it.
* THANKS * *******
Another great interesting video. I love Republic denarius. 2 of my favorites have beautiful reverses like Jupiter driving a Quadriga and the other has Hercules wrestling with the Lion with his bare hands naked with his weapons on the ground. Very fun to collect
I love the depiction of mars. Very cool to see what was important to people so long ago!
Your content is the best.
Very cool stuff- I really knew nothing about Republican Roman coins until I started watching your videos and now I find them just fascinating. I got my first one recently dated to 154BCE with ROMA and the DIOSCVRI on it, from the moneyer C. SCRIBONIVS, in rather excellent condition. It also has a tiny hole in it so someone in the distant past wore it as a charm, or maybe jewelry, and I just love it.
I have only two republican denarii. One is minted under M. Herennius (108-107 BC) with the head of PIETAS on the obverse and the image of Anphinomus carrying his father. Saving the father is an expression of Pietas. The other is minted under P. Crepuscius (82 BC) with the head of Apollo on the obverse and a horseman with a spear on the reverse.
Thanks for another fascinating video; I have just acquired my first three Roman Republic denarii, and also a quintarius. Like you mentioned, it takes a little extra research to ascertain what type they are, but I finally found details for them all. They were minted between 114 and 97BC, and it just blows my mind to think that someone was spending these over 2,000 years ago!
Thanks Leo,yes I have a good few Republican coins.
Nothing to rare .
Thanks again Leo.👍
Big like number 76 and subscribed! Excellent video and thank you so much for sharing!
Would you like to support the channel and my work?
💰 Help the Channel by "Buying me a Coffee": www.buymeacoffee.com/classicalnumismatics
Consider buying some channel Merch! You get a cool T-Shirt or Mug and you help me make more Ancient Numismatics content. Thank you!
leob.creator-spring.com/
I have a number of Republican denarii in my collection, but one of my favorites was issued in 58 B.C. by M. Aemilius Scaurus and Pub. Plautius Hypsaeus. The inscriptions are divided up with Scaurus' name and titles on one side, and Hypsaeus on the other. Both men list their titles as "AED CVR", so they were both Aediles just like the one coin you showed from 84 B.C. This coin of mine was part of an issue struck to commemorate Scaurus' role (he was Governor of Syria at the time) in defeating Aretas III. There are a couple known varieties according to RSC but I only have the one. In his book "Guide to Biblical Coins" David Hendin calls this coin (coin 1441 in the fifth edition, not sure if that changed in the latest edition) one of the earliest examples of a Roman moneyer memorializing an event from his own career on the coinage.
A great video, as always! Roman Republican pieces are the focus of my collection.
8:00 I think the staff next to the trident is Pluto's scepter so it shows all 3 in a way
Really nice video! I have been collecting strictly Roman republican for a year now, and absolutely love the series. One thing I love particularly about it is the bronze series. Will you do a video on the bronze series of the roman republic?
Thats an interesting idea, I'll definitely do an episode on bronzes when I get my hands on some.
Amazing ancient coins 👍
Ty Ty
very nice, I am still looking for a classic republican denar with X
these denarii are smaller than you'd expect, or at least than i expected. but sure enough mine still weighs the correct amount, just doesn't look it.
I own two republic denarii. One worn roma/quadriga type by Lucius Gargulus and a magnificent Cybele/camel denarius dedicated to Pompey's conquest of Judea. The latter has a curious legend "BACCIVS IVDAEVS"
My Ass seems to be gaining weight, what was their secret? 😅
🤩⭐⭐⭐⚡⚡⚡🔥🔥🔥
I can't believe the people's faith in ass fell 😭
The confidence in a heavy Ass must be restored!