I started by trying to caption RRC 59/5. And then I went an reread an old post of mine on Dolabella ‘ s as moneyers or possible moneyers.  And that got me worried about the dating of both RRC 73 and RRC 59 given the redating by Russo of RRC 81.  RRC 73 isn’t in any hoard earlier than Bavagna which closes ~116 BCE.  So Sicily and 2nd Punic War seems a not obvious necessary ID – Crawford’s weight standard argument is less conclusive if we add in 4 recent specimens in trade (average of 8 known specimens, comes down to 4.15, SD .251).  I then went digging in specimens that have come up in trade to see if I could sniff out any wisdom or clues.  All I found so far is this odd die feature (also visible on BM 2002,0102.330 ex Hersh Coll.).

Other things I learned today is that the Rex Sacorum probably didn’t wear an apex (I’ll report back as I get in more ILL) and that nobody agrees which figure is which on the Ara Pacis.  So there.  A post of no conclusions.  Just a lot of time spent fretting about a stupid hammer and a possible canting pun.

And maybe a jewel on his forehead?  Or  a snake head or whaa..? (RRC 410/1; assorted acsearch results for more specimen variations).

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Through the allusion to the Pythia here on the obverse and Hercules on the reverse are we supposed to recall the struggle between the two for control of Delphi? (Ephesus relief shown)

It would be so much easier to write these damn captions if I could stop thinking about the coins…

This is 291/1. And Crawford says its an aqueduct.   And then I go read some Wiseman 1998 (“Rome and the Resplendent Aemilii”) hoping for a reference and I get none, but I do get references to other things done by the cens. 179 including building the pons Aemilius.

Wouldn’t Rome’s first stone bridge be more worthy of commemoration than an aqueduct that didn’t even bear the family name?!

Very grateful for blog comments, twitter feedback, and discussion board wisdom that has helped this graphic evolve.  Keep it coming!

Look at how exceptionally clear the ethnic markers are on the severed head are on this specimen–mustache and spiky hair and all! (RRC 286/1).

Oh

Mint operation, coin production ‘infographic’

Timeline of serrated types and control marks combined

Built off this but with an eye to HW/HBM/Holl. re-dating.  I broke 50,000 words for the book manuscript.  The press upper limit, they said.  But Rowan took 60,000+ so I’m worried but not too worried.  Still pics = 1000 words.

Perhaps not.  I’m worrying about how RRC 234/1 differentiates its oath swearing scene from its prototype and whether those differences are meaningful or just ‘sloppy’.  So for instance the two figures present less different on 234/1.  Does the left hand figure have beard?  Is he not wearing armor?  Why was the right hand figure’s spear pointing down on the original? etc…

I’m pleased to have contributed to this piece of journalism written by the super smart Sarah Bond. Click image to read full article.