Roma Numismatics Ltd
E-Sale 104 15 Dec 2022
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L. Sempronius Atratinus AR Cistophoric Tetradrachm of Pergamum(?), Mysia. Quaestor, circa 50-49 BC. Serpent emerging from cista mystica; all within ivy wreath / Two serpents entwined around bow and bowcase; monogram above, Q to left, serpent-entwined thyrsus right. SNG Copenhagen 444-445; SNG BnF 1766-1768; cf. W. E. Metcalf, A Note on the Later Republican Cistophori," SNR 88 (2009), pp. 205–8. 12.24g, 24mm, 7h.
Good Very Fine; deep cabinet tone.
This late cistophoric tetradrachm type is considered one of a pair, the other displaying a torch in the right field, rather than a serpent-entwined thyrsus. There has been much debate as to the mint these cistophori were issued from, and regarding the identity of the individual who caused them to be struck.
The symbols of the torch and thyrsus were previously taken to indicate separate mints in Ephesus and Pergamon however, Metcalf convincingly argues that the discovery of shared obverse dies suggests these cistophori share a common origin. Despite this, the mint remains uncertain and the group differs stylistically to other cistophori of both Ephesus and Pergamon
Whilst the monogram on these cistophori has often been attributed to Lucius Antonius, Metcalf argues that L. Sempronius Atratinus is the more likely quaestor. He notes that the monogram contains all the elements of ATPATIN in Greek however, we cannot be certain that this is the same individual as the praetor who struck on behalf of Marc Antony. The suggestion rests upon Metcalf's assumption that Atratinus must have been a quaestor beforehand and thus responsible for coinage outside of Rome.
For further reading, see W. E. Metcalf, "A Note on the Later Republican Cistophori," SNR 88 (2009), pp. 205–8.
Good Very Fine; deep cabinet tone.
This late cistophoric tetradrachm type is considered one of a pair, the other displaying a torch in the right field, rather than a serpent-entwined thyrsus. There has been much debate as to the mint these cistophori were issued from, and regarding the identity of the individual who caused them to be struck.
The symbols of the torch and thyrsus were previously taken to indicate separate mints in Ephesus and Pergamon however, Metcalf convincingly argues that the discovery of shared obverse dies suggests these cistophori share a common origin. Despite this, the mint remains uncertain and the group differs stylistically to other cistophori of both Ephesus and Pergamon
Whilst the monogram on these cistophori has often been attributed to Lucius Antonius, Metcalf argues that L. Sempronius Atratinus is the more likely quaestor. He notes that the monogram contains all the elements of ATPATIN in Greek however, we cannot be certain that this is the same individual as the praetor who struck on behalf of Marc Antony. The suggestion rests upon Metcalf's assumption that Atratinus must have been a quaestor beforehand and thus responsible for coinage outside of Rome.
For further reading, see W. E. Metcalf, "A Note on the Later Republican Cistophori," SNR 88 (2009), pp. 205–8.