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Not Intended Erato
Lot # 325 - Q. Pomponius Musa. AR Denarius, 66 BC. Obv. Laureate head of Apollo right; behind, plectrum. Rev. Erato standing right, right arm lowered, holding lyre and plectrum; Q. POMPONI on left, MVSA on right. Cr. 410/7d (as Terpsichore); B. 17 (as Terpsichore); Banti Pomponia 20; RRSC D 202.6c; Phillip Davis, p. 395, fig. 11.. AR. 3.75 g. 18.5 mm. R. Rare, lustrous and superb. Some surfaces bums on obverse and minor flatness on reverse, both insignificant and beside the border, otherwise. good EF/EF. Sold but not paid in our auction LX. Is our opinion – according to Banti, pace Babelon and Crawford – that in this series the obverse symbol plectrum (often interpreted, in error, as “a flower”) identifies in any case the Musa Erato, while only the symbol tortoise identifies the Musa Terpsichore. Inexplicably this type, correctly interpreted by Admiral William Smith already in 19th century (Descriptive Catalogue of a Cabinet of Roman Family Coins Belonging to the Duke of Northumberland, London 1856) was misdescribed (as representing Terpsichore) by Babelon and by later numismatic autorities, Crawford included. In 1980 A. Banti (CNR, vol. 7, pp. 187-210) was the first author – since W. Smith – to assign all the “plectrum coins” to Erato and only the “tortoise coins” to Terpsichore. For a more detailed explanation of the question, see the excellent essay of Phillip Davis “Erato or Terpsichore; A Reassessment” in Fides, The American Numismatic Society, New York 2015. Davis admirably says : “The muddle of Erato and Terpsichore dies very hard. No pun intended.” Erato was the Muse of Erotic Poetry.
Starting price: € 500
Number of bids: 1
Sold: € 500
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Lot # 355 - Julius Caesar. AR Denarius, C. Cossutius Maridianus moneyer, 44 BC. Obv. PARENS PATRIAE - CAESAR. Veiled head right, wearing the Etruscan gold crown; to left, apex; to right. lituus. Rev. C·COSSVTIVS and MARIDIANVS. Crosswise; in the four corners A-A-A-F F (aere, argento, auro flando feriundo). Cr. 480/19; B. (Julia) 43; RRSC D 265.14. AR. 3.61 g. 18 mm. A fascinating portrait. Oxidations and scratch on obverse. About EF. This denarius is the most remarkable example of Caesar's vision for his future as an autocrat: there is not the slightest hint of the imagery commonly associated with Greek rulers, such as the diadem or the mention of the word 'rex.' Instead, Caesar chooses the seemingly innocuous title of 'parens patriae' (father of the fatherland), a title granted to him when he was appointed dictator perpetuus (dictator for life). Contrary to common misconception, Caesar is not wearing a laurel wreath, but a crown made of small golden leaves, as clearly seen on this specimen. This was the crown worn by Jupiter Capitolinus and by the dictator during his triumphal procession. Caesar's head is veiled to signify his role as Pontifex Maximus. For the same reason, we also find the symbols of the two most important priestly colleges: on the left, the apex, a pointed leather cap worn by the Flamines during their duties, and on the right, the lituus, the staff used by Augurs responsible for interpreting bird omens in Rome. However, despite Caesar’s careful strategies, strong opposition grew among the Senators, who foresaw their diminishing influence and power. Caesar's assassination was only a matter of time.
Starting price: € 750
Number of bids: 14
Sold: € 1'400
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