An exceptional example of a common RR coin, L.SAVF, Lucius Saufeius, 152 BC

L.SAVF

Lucius Saufeius, 152 BC

I fell in love with this coin when I saw it several weeks ago. I was not looking to upgrade a coin I bought in 2011. I had to wait extra time while the MOU between the US and Italy went into effect, but eventually received the coin. In 2011, I did not have a coin dated around 150 BC, so this one was a nice addition to my collection. The new one looks almost perfect from the dealer’s photos. I assume it will that good when it arrives.

I noted recently that I am buying more cast bronze and less silver coins. This one not a change in direction as much as really liking the coin.

My "new" coin.

My "old" coin.

Roman Republican Silver Denarius, 152 BC, Rome

L.SAVF – Lucius Saufeius

Obverse – Head of Roma R wearing a winged helmet decorated with a gryphon’s head; wearing ear rings with 3 drops, middle one is long and others are pellets; wearing necklace; hair in 3 locks; X behind head

Reverse – Victory, naked to hips, driving biga, horses galloping (or prancing), whip in R hand and reins in L hand, L.SAVF below (archaic style L), (VF in monogram), ROMA in partial linear frame at bottom of coin. 

The border for ROMA has been described several ways:

·         On tablet (although I do not think this coin series has a tablet like the early coins)

·         In exergue

·         In linear frame

·         In linear frame in exergue

·         On raised tablet, in exergue

I think there are two main styles here. Most coins have a partial linear frame (a box with two or three sides). I have seen none with a 4^th side or a line below ROMA. Small flans or off center strikes cut off some or all of the two side lines. A few coins have just a long exergue line.

The Saufeia gens appears to be from Praeneste and is not mentioned before 100 BC. This moneyer issued silver (denarius) and bronze coins (As, Semis, Triens, Quadrans & Sextans).

Cr – 204/1, Crawford estimates 117 obverse and 146 reverse dies => a common RR denarius.

BMCRR – 835 Gruber notes the two examples in his book have different ear rings: #835 (and mine) has ear rings with a longer center droplet, #834 has similar sized droplets.

Sear – 83

RSC/Bab – Saufeia 1

Syd – 384

RBW – 874

Albert – 874

NMW – 235 – 237

NMCr – 44 – 45

I compared the size and weight of other coins in my books on the internet. The results:

Weight = 3.7 grams, my coin #1

Weight = 3.8 grams, my coin #2

Weight - max 4.32

Weight - min 3.15

Weight - avg 3.83

Weight - st dev 0.22

Number 108 Note - found 106 in books and two sites & stopped looking

Diameter - 18.27 mm, my coin #1

Diameter - 17.1 mm, my coin #2

Diameter - max 20.0

Diameter - min 16.0

Diameter - avg 17.6

Diameter - st dev 0.75

Grade, vendor - SPL+

Grade, mine - EF, plus comments below

Centering - Well centered on flan that is only slightly larger than the die.

Strike - well struck from new dies

Flan flaws - none

Style - good style, plenty of fine details

Patination - light toning

Damage - none