The New York Sale
Auction 40 11 January 2017
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ANCIENT COINS, ROMAN REPUBLIC, Q. Pomponius Musa. Silver Denarius (3.73 g), 65 BC. Rome. Laureate head of Apollo right; behind, star. Rev. Q POMPONI MVSA, Urania, the Muse of Astronomy, standing facing, head left, holding wand pointed toward sphere set on tripod to left. (Crawford 410/8; Sydenham 823; Pomponia 22). Well centered and toned. About extremely fine.
Like any number of Roman Republican moneyers, Q. Pomponius Musa advertised himself and his family on his coins with types that serve as a pun on his name. He produced a series of denarii representing each of the nine Muses and Hercules Musarum, all of which referring to his cognomen, Musa. While they are not named on the coins, each of the Muses is easily identified by her attributes. Urania, the eldest of the Muses and the daughter of Zeus and Mnemosyne, is perhaps the most distinctive of the group in that she appears holding a wand pointing towards a globe.
Estimate: $ 1,200
Like any number of Roman Republican moneyers, Q. Pomponius Musa advertised himself and his family on his coins with types that serve as a pun on his name. He produced a series of denarii representing each of the nine Muses and Hercules Musarum, all of which referring to his cognomen, Musa. While they are not named on the coins, each of the Muses is easily identified by her attributes. Urania, the eldest of the Muses and the daughter of Zeus and Mnemosyne, is perhaps the most distinctive of the group in that she appears holding a wand pointing towards a globe.
Estimate: $ 1,200