Roma Numismatics Ltd
Auction XVIII 29 Sep 2019
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Etruria, Volaterrae Æ Dupondius. 3rd century BC. Janiform head, wearing pointed cap / Upright club; I-I across fields, Etruscan ethnic 'velaθri' around. ICC 135; HN Italy 109a; Haeberlin pp. 245-246, 1-9. 304.00g, 75mm, 12h.
Good Very Fine. Rare.
From the Dr. Nicholas Lowe Collection.
Volaterrae (Etruscan Velathri, modern Volterra), the defensive fortress of northern Etruria, firmly under Roman control by the early third century, issued three series of cast bronze. A Janiform head wearing a pointed cap is the obverse type common to all three issues, very possibly influenced by the contemporary Roman asses and quadrigati depicting the Janiform heads of the Dioscuri and the bronze asses characterized by the head of Janus. The Volaterran Janiform head is perhaps Culsans, the Etruscan equivalent of Janus as depicted by the celebrated statue from Cortona. The three reverse types are: mark of value, club and dolphin surrounded by the ethnic.
Good Very Fine. Rare.
From the Dr. Nicholas Lowe Collection.
Volaterrae (Etruscan Velathri, modern Volterra), the defensive fortress of northern Etruria, firmly under Roman control by the early third century, issued three series of cast bronze. A Janiform head wearing a pointed cap is the obverse type common to all three issues, very possibly influenced by the contemporary Roman asses and quadrigati depicting the Janiform heads of the Dioscuri and the bronze asses characterized by the head of Janus. The Volaterran Janiform head is perhaps Culsans, the Etruscan equivalent of Janus as depicted by the celebrated statue from Cortona. The three reverse types are: mark of value, club and dolphin surrounded by the ethnic.