Watch List notes:

Republic, Anonymous, (c.280-276 B.C.), AE Aes Grave semis, Rome mint, (158.19 g), obv. head of beardless Mars to left wearing crested Corinthian helmet, S below, rev. Venus head to left, S below, (S.529, Thurlow-Vecchi 2, Crawford 14/2, Haeberlin Pl. 39, 4). Attractive green patina with some earthen encrustation, fine - nearly very fine and very rare. Provenance - Ex RJM collection with tickets. Previously Edward J. Waddell Ltd, USD$400. An example sold at Bertolami Fine Arts auction 9, 29 April 2014, lot 284 realised 650 EUR. Another appeared at Stacks & Bowers sale 181, 7 November 2013, lot 20049 realised USD$825. This extraordinary cast piece is an example of the earliest series of semis issued in Rome depicting Mars and Venus. The flan shows evidence of slippage between the two moulds and retains the raised lip of the channel where molten copper was poured. An interesting study in the technical methods of producing these early cast pieces.

Estimate: 500 AUD