Half litra Anonymous; ROMA

Features

Issuer RomeRoman Republic (509 BC - 27 BC)
Period Republic (509 BC - 27 BC)
Type Standard circulation coin
Years 235 BC - 230 BC
Value ½ Litra (0.1)
Currency Drachm (? - 235 BC)
Composition Bronze
Weight 1.71 g
Diameter 11 mm
Shape Round (irregular)
Technique Hammered
Demonetized Yes
Number
N#
67089
References RRC# 26/4,
Michael H. Crawford; 1974. Roman Republican Coinage / Volume 1. Introduction and catalogue. Cambridge University Press, London, United Kingdom.
And 1 more volumes.
CRR# 22,
Edward Allen Sydenham, Leonard S. Forrer; 1952. The Coinage of the Roman Republic. Spink & Son, London, United Kingdom.
RCV I# 598,
David R. Sear; 2000. Roman Coins and Their Values / Volume 1. The Republic and the Twelve Caesars 280 BC-AD 96. Spink & Son, London, United Kingdom.
HN Italy# 309,
N. Keith Rutter, Andrew Burnett; 2001. Historia numorum : Italy. British Museum Press, London, United Kingdom.
BMC RR# 44-47,
Herbert Appold Grueber; 1910. Coins of the Roman Republic in the British Museum / Volume 1. Aes Rude, Aes Signatum, Aes Grave, and Coinage of Rome from B.C. 268. British Museum, London, United Kingdom.
And 2 more volumes.
RBW# 51
Roberto Russo; 2013. The RBW Collection of Roman Republican Coins. Numismatica Ars Classica NAC AG, Zürich.

Obverse

Head of Roma, right, wearing Phrygian helmet.

Reverse

Dog walking right, left foreleg raised; ROMA in exergue.

Script: Latin

Lettering: ROMA

Mint

Rome (ancient), Italy

Comments

This type was described as a quarter litra or sixteenth of an ounce rather than a half-liter (D.Sear), but does indeed correspond to a tetartemorion or quarter litra (cf. Vecchi 3, September 13, 1996, no. 19). This type appears to be much rarer than the reference works suggest.

Mr. Crawford reports that Bahrfelt recorded an average weight of 1.65g for 67 examples of this type in the 19th century. The theoretical weight of the litra is 3.375g, or approximately 1.69g for the half-litra, which corresponds to a quarter obole or tetartémorion in the Greek monetary system. Rome's head is reminiscent of the Romano-Campanian didrachm minted between -265 and -241 (RCV. 25). Rome's helmeted bust is also reminiscent of the "Asian" origins of the Romans, descendants of the Trojans immortalized by Virgil in the Aeneid in the first century. First fixed by H.A. Grueber between -312 and -290, this type is traditionally dated between -234 and -231. D. Sear prefers to give it a broader chronological range, between -235 and -230.

Roman coins, Laurent Schmitt, Michel Prieur.Automatically translated

See also

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Date VG F VF XF AU UNC
ND (235 BC - 230 BC)  Photo $ 650

Values in the table above are expressed in USD. They are based on evaluations by Numista users and sales realized on Internet platforms. They serve as an indication only; they are not intended to be relied upon for buying, selling or exchanging. Numista does not buy or sell coins or banknotes.

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Numista Rarity index: 95 Search tips
This index is based on the data of Numista members collections. It ranges from 0 to 100, 0 meaning a very common coin or banknote and 100 meaning a rare coin or banknote among Numista members.

Past sales

Pictures Sale Date Grade Sold price
Picture 1 of a sold Half litra (Anonymous; ROMA)Picture 1 of a sold Half litra (Anonymous; ROMA)
Heritage Auctions
Weekly World and Ancient Coin Auction 231922
Lot 65063
Internet Archive
30 May 2019 AU
(NGC Choice AU)
USD 660.00
(incl. buyer's premium)
Picture 1 of a sold Half litra (Anonymous; ROMA)
Numismatica Ars Classica
Spring Sale 2020
Lot 318
Internet Archive
25 May 2020 XF USD 443.36
(CHF 400.00)
(+ buyer's premium)
Picture 1 of a sold Half litra (Anonymous; ROMA)
Leu Numismatik
Auction 1
Lot 135
Internet Archive
25 Oct 2017 VF USD 775.89
(CHF 700.00)
(+ buyer's premium)
Picture 1 of a sold Half litra (Anonymous; ROMA)Picture 1 of a sold Half litra (Anonymous; ROMA)
Heritage Auctions
2011 September Long Beach Signature World & Ancient Coins Auction 3015
Lot 25986
Internet Archive
12 Sep 2011 VF USD 299.00
(incl. buyer's premium)
See the sales

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