| Numismatica Ars Classica > Auction 143 | Auction date: 7 May 2024 |
| Lot number: 157 Price realized: This lot is for sale in an upcoming auction - Bid on this lot  | Show similar lots on CoinArchives Find similar lots in upcoming auctions on  |
| Lot description: The Dioscuri Collection. The Roman Republic. The Bellum Sociale. Denarius, Corfinium circa 90, AR 18 mm, 4.00 g. Laureate head of Italia l.; behind, ITALIA. Rev. Youth kneeling at the foot of a standard and holding pig, at which eight soldiers (four on each side point their swords); in exergue, A. Sydenham 621. RBW 1214. Campana 59. Historia Numorum Italy 408. Rare and in exceptional condition for the issue. Light iridescent tone and extremely fine Ex NAC sale 33, 2006, 241. The types of this denarius reflect the torn character of the Italic socii between their desire to be equal partners with the Romans and their creation of an independent state ostensibly different from and opposed to the Roman state. The laureate head on the obverse is intended to represent Italia, the personification of the Italic peoples and the Italic Confederation. However, the legend naming her is given clearly in Latin script rather than in the Oscan script naturally used by the Marsi and Samnites. This usage illustrates how closely the issuers of the coinage felt bound to Roman numismatic custom, which commonly featured the head of Roma, the personification of Rome, with a label in Latin to identify her. The reverse type depicts an oath-taking scene in which eight men place their swords on a pig held by an attendant before sacrifice. This is a modified version of a Roman Republican type struck by the moneyer Ti. Veturius in 137 BC, which shows only two men swearing on a pig held by an attendant. The scene on the Roman denarius is thought to represent the oath taken by the Romans at the conclusion of the disastrous Battle of the Caudine Forks (321 BC), in which they promised to end hostilities against the Samnites and to return conquered Samnite territory. If this is the correct interpretation, it is a very interesting type to have been imitated for a Social War issue. Although the type was most probably adopted by the Italic Confederation to symbolise its members' oath to fight against Rome, the possible Caudine Forks association of the model suggests that it also could have been read as a representation of Roman infidelity (war later resumed against the Samnites and their land conquered despite the oath) or of Italic triumph (the oath at the Caudine Forks was imposed on the Romans by the Samnites). Estimate: 7500 CHF |  |
