NUMISMATIC NUGGETS: APRIL 29, 2018

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V21 2018 INDEX E-SYLUM ARCHIVE

The E-Sylum: Volume 21, Number 17, April 29, 2018, Article 28

Here's a selection of interesting or unusual items I came across in the marketplace this week. Tell us what you think of some of these. -Editor

The Roman Republic
L. Plautius Plancus
Silver Denarius, Rome 47 BC.
Obverse: Head of Medusa facing.
Reverse: Victory advancing right, leading four horses by the reins.
Extremely Fine. Spectacular cabinet toning.
4.11g
Crawford 453/1a

This one is a new offering from Baldwin's in London. Another great Medusa head. I don't think I've seen this particular coin before. -Editor

To read the complete lot description, see:
L. Plautius Plancus, Silver Denarius (https://www.baldwin.co.uk/l-plautius-plancus-silver-denarius-lm62597.html)

Bruttium, Caulonia. Nomos circa 525-500, AR 7.95 g. KAV? Apollo, diademed, walking r., holding laurel branch in upraised r. hand and small running daimon, holding long branch on outstretched l. arm; in field r., stag r. on platform, with head reverted. Rev. The same type incuse l., without legend. Noe, Caulonia, A 9. SNG Lockett 579 (these dies). Boston 173 (this obverse die). SNG ANS 145 (this obverse die). Historia Numorum Italy 2035. Rare and a superb specimen of this desirable issue. Exceptionally well struck and complete. Superb old cabinet tone and good extremely fine

Ex Gemini V, 2009, 324 and NAC 88, 2015, 358 sales. From the duplicates of the American Numismatic Society (inventory n. 1997.9.212)

The design of the early nomoi of Caulonia has attracted various interpretations, many of which are documented in Barclay Head's Historia Numorum. Head saw the main figure as the mythical founder of Caulonia, who held a leaf from the plant ?a???s as a punning allusion to the city name. Most scholars of the modern era seem to describe the figure as Apollo. The running figure in his hand – whose feet are winged on some examples – is thought by some to be a wind god, perhaps Zephyrus, but it is almost universally described as a genius or a daimon, a deity of a lower order which served the higher gods.

Perhaps the most attractive explanation is that the figure, Apollo, is shown holding a laurel branch from the Vale of Tempe in Thessaly, and that the small figure is a daimon fulfilling the role of his messenger. If so, the type would reflect the story of how Apollo, after killing the serpent Pytho at Delphi with a well-aimed arrow, exiled himself for seven years of menial labour as penance for his murder; at the end of his period of atonement Apollo purified himself in the sacred grove of bay trees. Specifically the type would represent his return to Delphi, announced by the daimon-messenger, to assume his oracular duties on behalf of Zeus.

This piece is lot 161 in the upcoming sale #106 from Numismatica Ars Classica (NAC). The incuse reverse caught my eye. -Editor

A very high end example of this crude coinage. Struck over gun money, some of the undertype is visible. The “N” in HIBERNIA is backwards, there are die cracks everywhere and the engraving is laughably crude. A fun piece.

From Dave Wnuck's Making the Grade newsletter #38. Irish Gun Money is an emergency issue itself, and here's an emergency issue struck over another one. Interesting times. -Editor

Vermontensium Redbook type. Ryder-6. A lovely milk chocolate brown coin, with hard surfaces. These are so difficult to find that are pleasing to the eye, as here. There are always – always – issues that collectors have to deal with; it is just a matter of finding a specimen where the issues are not bothersome.

Another one from Dave Wnuck's Making the Grade newsletter #38. It's hard to find a collector who doesn't like the fanciful Vermont landscape copper. I know I've always enjoyed them, and this is a nice collectible specimen. -Editor

India Government Mint Medal, Nickel, 31.68 g, 38.44 mm, Superannuation Medal Kolkata Mint, Obv : Dove holding and ribbon with words Peace Prosperity, scenery behind, Legends around SUPERANNUATION MEDAL I.G.MINT ALIPORE CAL-53. Rev : Legends LABOUR WELFARE FUND COMMITTEE, Unpresented, Traces of other medal strike seen on reverse. Extremely Fine, Extremely Rare.

This one is from Imperial Auctions in India. So what's a "superannuation medal"? Well, Dr. Google tells me that superannuation is a "regular payment made into a fund by an employee toward a future pension" or "a superannuation pension paid to a retired person." This appears to be an unawarded medal with a blank space where the name of the recipient would be engraved. Were these presented to workers upon retirement? It looks like they were made in the 20th century - the first two digits of the year are there ("19") followed by a space for engraving the rest of the date. -Editor

To read the complete lot description, see:
India Government Mint Medal (http://www.imperialauctions.com/view-lot.aspx?lid=9820&aid=15&cid=0&key=0&mid=0&lfr=0<o=0&pfr=0&pft=0&ino=0&pno=1)