Roma Numismatics Ltd
Auction XVI 26 Sep 2018
View prices realized
► Sale information
Find similar lots
Etruria, Vulci AR Didrachm. 5th - 4th century BC. Winged Metus running to left, head facing, holding serpent in each hand / Cartwheel with long crossbar supported by two struts; Etruscan legend 'θe-zi' above and below strut. EC I, 1.8 (O1/R4, this coin); HN Italy 206 (Volci?); SNG ANS 12 (Uncertain mints); BMC Italy = PCG pl. 13, 1 (Uncertain mint of Etruria). 10.90g, 28mm, 8h.
Extremely Fine. Extremely Rare; a superb example of a classic rarity of high late archaic artistic merit that has only ever been in a public sale twice, but with different die combinations: Leu Numismatik 77 (2000), lot 26, and Numismatic Ars Classica 18 (2000), lot 1.
From the collection of a Swiss Etruscologist;
This coin published in I. Vecchi, Etruscan Coinage, 2012;
Privately purchased from Freeman & Sear (Los Angeles), 3 May 2002.
The identification of Vulci as the mint is based on single spot finds in the general vicinity of that city. The coins are of a late archaic style of high artistic merit, some with legends 'θezi' and 'θezle' (TLE 785-786), which have been much discussed. The most recent interpretation suggests a connection with the concept of 'la sfera del sacro' (cf. Bruni 1986, pp. 83-103; see also Pallotino 1975 p. 367), a sacred area, possibly within a temple compound responsible for the coinage, similar to that at the temple of Juno Moneta in Rome. The coins have no marks of value and are on a weight standard of about 5.8g, similar to the early issues of Populonia (EC I, Series 1-6) and Luca (?) (EC I, Series 11-6).
The ruins of the city of Vulci (Etr. Velx-; Latin Volci) in southwest Etruria (now Lazio) lie close to the right bank of the river Armenta (Fiora), on a plateau with a commanding view of Monte Argentario and Cosa. The city grew to become an important member of the twelve populi of Etruria and flourished from the late 8th to 4th centuries BC, largely through the extraction of minerals from nearby Monte Amiata and international trade of highly developed arts and crafts, including painted vases, encouraged by the presence of Greek artists. Official and clandestine excavations at Vulci from the time of Luciano Bonaparte (1st Prince of Canino and Napoleon's brother) have unearthed the largest group of Attic black-figure and red-figure vases extant and are today present in museums worldwide. In the second half of the 4th century BC, Vulci began to feel the pressure of Roman expansionism. The struggle to remain independent came to an end in 280 BC when, defeated, it had to relinquish a large part of its territory, including the coast, to Rome. Once it had lost its independence, the city declined and rapidly fell into obscurity.
Extremely Fine. Extremely Rare; a superb example of a classic rarity of high late archaic artistic merit that has only ever been in a public sale twice, but with different die combinations: Leu Numismatik 77 (2000), lot 26, and Numismatic Ars Classica 18 (2000), lot 1.
From the collection of a Swiss Etruscologist;
This coin published in I. Vecchi, Etruscan Coinage, 2012;
Privately purchased from Freeman & Sear (Los Angeles), 3 May 2002.
The identification of Vulci as the mint is based on single spot finds in the general vicinity of that city. The coins are of a late archaic style of high artistic merit, some with legends 'θezi' and 'θezle' (TLE 785-786), which have been much discussed. The most recent interpretation suggests a connection with the concept of 'la sfera del sacro' (cf. Bruni 1986, pp. 83-103; see also Pallotino 1975 p. 367), a sacred area, possibly within a temple compound responsible for the coinage, similar to that at the temple of Juno Moneta in Rome. The coins have no marks of value and are on a weight standard of about 5.8g, similar to the early issues of Populonia (EC I, Series 1-6) and Luca (?) (EC I, Series 11-6).
The ruins of the city of Vulci (Etr. Velx-; Latin Volci) in southwest Etruria (now Lazio) lie close to the right bank of the river Armenta (Fiora), on a plateau with a commanding view of Monte Argentario and Cosa. The city grew to become an important member of the twelve populi of Etruria and flourished from the late 8th to 4th centuries BC, largely through the extraction of minerals from nearby Monte Amiata and international trade of highly developed arts and crafts, including painted vases, encouraged by the presence of Greek artists. Official and clandestine excavations at Vulci from the time of Luciano Bonaparte (1st Prince of Canino and Napoleon's brother) have unearthed the largest group of Attic black-figure and red-figure vases extant and are today present in museums worldwide. In the second half of the 4th century BC, Vulci began to feel the pressure of Roman expansionism. The struggle to remain independent came to an end in 280 BC when, defeated, it had to relinquish a large part of its territory, including the coast, to Rome. Once it had lost its independence, the city declined and rapidly fell into obscurity.