Ancients
Anonymous. Ca. 211 BC. AV 60 asses (15mm, 3.34 gm, 4h). NGC Choice AU★ 5/5 - 5/5. Head of Mars right, bearded, wearing crested Italo-Corinthian helmet; mark of value VI (ligate) X beneath / Eagle standing right on thunderbolt, wings spread; ROMA below. Crawford 44/2. Bahrfeldt 4a. Sydenham 226. A nearly perfect specimen, cleanly struck from fresh dies, and possessing considerable detail seldom encountered on this type.
Ex Harlan Berk, private sale; NFA XXXIII (1994), lot 346; NFA XXVI (1991), lot 191.
Rome's capture and plundering of Syracuse in 212 BC and successes in Spain around this time provided the gold for the first large Roman coinage in that metal, circa 211 BC. Gold pieces in three denominations, with numerals setting their values at 60, 40 and 20 copper asses, were introduced alongside the silver denarius, quinarius, quadrigatus and sestertius. Although the overall coinage reform proved lasting, the gold denominations were only struck for two or three years and soon disappeared from circulation.
HID02901242017
Estimate: 5000-6000 USD