Classical Numismatic Group, LLC
Electronic Auction 436 23 Jan 2019
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M. Caecilius Q.f. Q.n. Metellus. 127 BC. Æ Semis (22mm, 7.92 g, 11h). Rome mint. Laureate head of Saturn right; S (mark of value) to left / Prow of galley inscribed M • METELLVS right; above, Macedonian shield, S (mark of value) to right, ROMA below. Crawford 263/3a; Sydenham 482; Type as RBW 1066. VF, dark green patina with touches of brown.
From the Andrew McCabe Collection. Ex RBW Collection Duplicate; purchased by him from Roberto Russo, 27 August 1993.
The prow design of bronzes of this period such as Numitoria have a rounded structure before the prow-stem, which is not seen on either earlier or later coins. I don't know what it represents. Collectors of Roman Republican bronzes should have in their library at least one good book on Roman ships, so as to understand what is depicted on their coins. I have four: (1) Prorae, La prima prua di nave sulle monete della Repubblica Romana, by Antonio Morello; (2) La Marina en la Moneda Romana, by Humberto Burzio; (3) Greek and Roman Oared Warships, 399 to 30 BC, by J. S. Morrison; and (4) Die römische Flote – Classis Romana, by H. D. L. Vierick. All are copiously illustrated, so the language doesn't matter as much. I haven't seen this round structure on any non-coin example. This coin also has the moneyer's name, M.METELLVS, written on the side of the prow. [Andrew McCabe]
From the Andrew McCabe Collection. Ex RBW Collection Duplicate; purchased by him from Roberto Russo, 27 August 1993.
The prow design of bronzes of this period such as Numitoria have a rounded structure before the prow-stem, which is not seen on either earlier or later coins. I don't know what it represents. Collectors of Roman Republican bronzes should have in their library at least one good book on Roman ships, so as to understand what is depicted on their coins. I have four: (1) Prorae, La prima prua di nave sulle monete della Repubblica Romana, by Antonio Morello; (2) La Marina en la Moneda Romana, by Humberto Burzio; (3) Greek and Roman Oared Warships, 399 to 30 BC, by J. S. Morrison; and (4) Die römische Flote – Classis Romana, by H. D. L. Vierick. All are copiously illustrated, so the language doesn't matter as much. I haven't seen this round structure on any non-coin example. This coin also has the moneyer's name, M.METELLVS, written on the side of the prow. [Andrew McCabe]