St. James's Auctions
Auction 49 5 Oct 2021
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Etruria, anonymous, Æ grave uncia, c. 230-220 BC, facing head (of an augur?), rev. dagger and astragalus (knucklebone), wt. 14.26gms., 25mm. (Syd.268), fine, exceedingly rare
bt. Spink, 26 November 1958 for £3-10s.
With pen and ink collector's ticket.
In the classical world, an augur was a priest whose practice was augury - interpreting the will of the gods by studying birds. The office was prestigious and was held for life. The augur would study the behaviour of birds (their flight, singing, feeding habits) between midnight and the following dawn. The auspices would be taken before all important events – for example - the esteemed historian Livy remarked that Rome was founded 'only after taking the auspices'.
(1000-1500 GBP)
bt. Spink, 26 November 1958 for £3-10s.
With pen and ink collector's ticket.
In the classical world, an augur was a priest whose practice was augury - interpreting the will of the gods by studying birds. The office was prestigious and was held for life. The augur would study the behaviour of birds (their flight, singing, feeding habits) between midnight and the following dawn. The auspices would be taken before all important events – for example - the esteemed historian Livy remarked that Rome was founded 'only after taking the auspices'.
(1000-1500 GBP)