Lot 4412

Description

Republic, Anonymous Issue, (c.from 211 B.C.), gold sixty Asses, Rome mint, (3.35 g), obv. helmeted head of Mars to right, mark of value, arrow X behind, dotted border, rev. eagle with spread wings standing three quarters right on thunderbolt, ROMA below, (S.96, Cr.44/2, Syd.226, BMC 185, M.Bahrfeldt, Die romische Goldmunzenpragung wahrend der Republik und unter Augustus [Halle 1923], No.4). Bright, good extremely fine and very rare.

Ex UBS Gold & Numismatics Auction 55, Sept 16, 2002 (lot 1807), described as almost FDC and previously from Auction Tkalec AG, Zurich February 19, 2001 (lot 181).

In addition to the introduction of the struck bronze as, on the sextanal standard, the currency reform of c.211 B.C. brought into being a whole range of new precious metal denominations. The most important of these was the silver denarius, but the most valuable was a series of small gold pieces, tariffed as being the equivalent of 60, 40 and 20 asses in circulation. Each denomination bore the same types (Mars head and eagle reverse), and each had its mark of value clearly displayed. As it was intended only as an emergency war coinage, the issue of these exquisitely engraved little gold coins was soon discontinued.