P. Clodius M. f Turrinus. Aureus 42, AV 8.14 g. Laureate head of Apollo r.; in l. field, lyre. Rev. P·CLODIVS – M·F Diana standing facing, with bow and quiver over shoulder, holding lighted torch in each hand. B. Clodia 14. Bahrfeldt 30. Sydenham 1116. C. Botrè, E. Fabrizi, G. Scibona, P. Serafin Petrillo, Applicazioni della spettroscopia con fluorescenza a raggi X nello studio di antiche monete romane: implicazioni di carattere storico ed economico, p. 136, 16 (this coin). Sear Imperators 183. Crawford 494/22. Calicó 6a (this coin).
Of the highest rarity, only two specimens known and the only one in private hands.
About extremely fine / extremely fine
Ex Glendining 1951, Ryan part IV, 1562; Ciani-Vinchon 6/7.5.1955, 248 and NAC 31, 2005, 8 sales.
The four moneyers of 42 B.C. struck aurei and denarii with portraits of Antony, Octavian and Lepidus, and non-portrait coins bearing types of personal value. P. Clodius was especially productive in that he supplemented his portrait aurei of the triumvirs with portrait denarii for Antony, Octavian and the deified Julius Caesar and non-portrait issues.
His two non-portrait types occur as both aurei and denarii and bear designs of a personal nature relating to the cults of Sol and Luna. This aureus pairs Apollo with Luna Lucifera, and his other non-portrait issue pairs the head of Sol with a crescent moon and stars. Since Apollo was considered a god of pure light and the bringer of daylight, his solar aspects are here paired with the goddess Luna in her guise as the light-bringer (lucifera).
The doubts regarding the authenticity of this coin have been definitively dispelled thanks to the analysis of the metal made by Professor Claudio Botrè of the University of Rome "La Sapienza", and published along with E. Fabrizi, C. Scibona, P. Serafin Petrillo, in the most exhaustive and interesting article: Applicazioni della spettroscopia con fluorescenza a raggi X nello studio di antiche monete romane: implicazioni di carattere storico ed economico. To be honest, we have to stress that we do not consider the metal analysis to be the ultimate test to prove the authenticity of a coin, as the most recent forgers use for their production melted down ancient coins to produce fakes. The case of this exceedingly rare coin here offered is different, as this specimen appeared on the numismatic market more than fifty years ago, when the production techniques of production of fakes were not sophisticated and were not taking into consideration the possibility of using ancient metal. As further evidence, the coin has been submitted to the Museum of Vienna, where the only other known specimen is kept, for comparison and once again the authenticity has been confirmed.
NAC51, 100
Posted by Ancient Art & Numismatics on 2010-07-07 04:25:12
Tagged: