Classical Numismatic Group, LLC
Auction 123 23-24 May 2023
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Q. Pomponius Musa. 56 BC. AR Denarius (18mm, 3.95 g, 9h). Rome mint. Laureate head of Apollo right; handle of plectrum to left / Erato, the Muse of Erotic Poetry, standing right, holding plectrum and lyre. Crawford 410/7d corr. (obv. symbol and rev. type); Sydenham 820a corr. (same); Pomponia 17a corr. (same); RBW –; see P. Davis, "Erato or Terpsichore: A Reassessment" in FIDES, for the identification of the muse as Erato. Lustrous. Good VF.
This type is called "Terpsichore" by Crawford and most other authors, but Phil Davis has recently identified this coin type as Erato. A complete discussion of this subject can be found in the article Phil wrote for the festschrift created for the late Rick Witschonke (FIDES, pp. 393-401). Phil's logic is very sound and will make completing a set of Muses much easier as the previously rare, known from a single die, Erato is now shown to be a die variety. (Davis identifies the obverse turtle symbol as being for Terpsichore.)
This type is called "Terpsichore" by Crawford and most other authors, but Phil Davis has recently identified this coin type as Erato. A complete discussion of this subject can be found in the article Phil wrote for the festschrift created for the late Rick Witschonke (FIDES, pp. 393-401). Phil's logic is very sound and will make completing a set of Muses much easier as the previously rare, known from a single die, Erato is now shown to be a die variety. (Davis identifies the obverse turtle symbol as being for Terpsichore.)