The Romans struck a silver obol with RRC 13 in very small numbers (RRC 13/2), something that Burnett has shown fits well with the fashion for AR obols in Italy more generally. (earlier post). These coins are so small and so easy to lose it is possible more types, even Roman types might appear in future, just as we continue to learn of newer small denomination bronzes in the republican series.
Fractional silver doesn’t start up again until RRC 25 and 26 with drachma which continues into the Quadrigati series and then into the earlier denarii as well. Yes, I’m still worries about RRC 26, but this got me thinking about why specific denominations are struck and their utility. Clearly AR fractions are useful to the Romans or they would not endure as part of the production.
I’ve removed grossly overweight outliers from the CRRO data where it is clearly a cataloging error.
I find it interesting not only is RRC 26 still better regulated than other issues even here but its median and mean averages are closer to the quadrigati than RRC 25.
For all three issues the design of the drachm and didrachm is identical the only change is the size of the flan and die diameter.
This is where RRC 25, 26, 27 look most similar. There is no meaningful difference in the struck bronze weight standard. The AE Litrae has the same design as the silver didrachm. Here there seems a tight fit of the three issues.
If we preserve the logic that the ROMA legend issues must come after all ROMANO issues, I lean right this moment to putting RRC 26 struck issues after RRC 27 and before the quadrigati issues.
I’m still not convinced the cast ae of RRC 26 is really the same issue as the silver or struck bronze. Why must we combine them?! I see no reason. If this is the case I’m happy to push the cast part of RRC 26 earlier.
And then that half litra with the dog… RRC 26/4. It feels free floating, untethered to the other coins in the issue with which it is grouped. And look! I have a note next to RRC 17/1 saying Molinari and Burnett 2015 have associated the Roma/Dog RRC 26/4 with RRC 17/1 based on the Ponte Gini scattered hoard.
If I get hit by a bus someone tell my beloved to scan and share my physical copy of RRC so everyone can have my pencil annotations.
RRC 27/3 is a weird double litra but at least that is marked by a club to anchor it into its series. RRC 27/4 is a red herring, separate from the rest of the series, being a semuncia of Luceria struck later.
I really am going to do the hoards one day. But NOT today.
Liv Mariah Yarrow 