Leu Numismatik AG
Auction 9 24 Oct 2021
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Rhine Legions. Anonymous, circa May/June-December 68. Denarius (Silver, 18 mm, 2.85 g, 6 h), uncertain mint in Gaul or in the Rhine Valley. 'Virtus-Roma Group' - 'Jupiter Group', Style B. ROMA Draped bust of Roma to right, wearing crested helmet and mural crown. Rev. IVPPITER CVSTOS Jupiter seated left on throne, holding thunderbolt in his right hand and scepter in his left. BMC 17 and pl. 50, 7 (same reverse die). CG 23.2 (this coin). Cohen 372. Martin 17. Nicolas 17 and pl. I, 17 BR (same reverse die). RIC 59. Extremely rare, one of just seven known examples, only two of which are in private hands (both in the Gollnow Collection). Somewhat rough and crystallized, otherwise, very fine.
From the collection of Dipl.-Ing. Christian Gollnow and from the property of Princeton Economics, acquired by Martin Armstrong, Classical Numismatic Group E-Auction 271, 11 January 2012, 70, ex Classical Numismatic Group 49, 17 March 1999, 1488.
Two interesting aspects of this coin set it apart from the other 'Virtus-Roma' and 'Jupiter' groups, namely the rendering of Roma's helmet and the reverse legend. The former is notable for the addition of a mural crown, which, while a common headgear for city goddesses in the Greek world, is a very unusual feature on Roma's helmet. The latter, on the other hand, is remarkable for retaining Nero's original IVPPITER CVSTOS-legend, as opposed to the adapted IVPPITER LIBERATOR found on lots 1146-1149 above. Exactly why the artist decided to retain Nero's version on his die is unclear, but the somewhat clumsy style of the coin should perhaps caution us against overinterpretation. It may very well be that this issue was struck in great haste and that the die cutter did not give the exact iconography of the chosen types too much thought. On the other hand, it is worth noting that the type exists in differing styles and metal qualities, as can be seen on lot 1151 below: that example has the same legends and iconography, but it is of cruder style still and plated.
From the collection of Dipl.-Ing. Christian Gollnow and from the property of Princeton Economics, acquired by Martin Armstrong, Classical Numismatic Group E-Auction 271, 11 January 2012, 70, ex Classical Numismatic Group 49, 17 March 1999, 1488.
Two interesting aspects of this coin set it apart from the other 'Virtus-Roma' and 'Jupiter' groups, namely the rendering of Roma's helmet and the reverse legend. The former is notable for the addition of a mural crown, which, while a common headgear for city goddesses in the Greek world, is a very unusual feature on Roma's helmet. The latter, on the other hand, is remarkable for retaining Nero's original IVPPITER CVSTOS-legend, as opposed to the adapted IVPPITER LIBERATOR found on lots 1146-1149 above. Exactly why the artist decided to retain Nero's version on his die is unclear, but the somewhat clumsy style of the coin should perhaps caution us against overinterpretation. It may very well be that this issue was struck in great haste and that the die cutter did not give the exact iconography of the chosen types too much thought. On the other hand, it is worth noting that the type exists in differing styles and metal qualities, as can be seen on lot 1151 below: that example has the same legends and iconography, but it is of cruder style still and plated.