Roma, 14.1.2015
Egregio
Lettore,
di seguito riporto gli elementi significativi raccolti
sulla moneta di figura:
Decadrammo1,
zecca punico-sicula, 264-260 a. C.2, SNG Cop-998,
Jenkins SNR 57 431-452 (v. Zeugitana)3
Descrizione sommaria:
D. Tanit-Persefone, testa a
destra con corona di spighe e orecchino. 4
R. Pegaso in volo a destra, sotto VII.5
La ricerca nel web di monete di tipologia simile a
quella di figura ha prodotto i seguenti risultati:
- http://www.sixbid.com/browse.html?auction=1298&category=27122&lot=1197100
Numismatica Ars Classica Auction 77 26 May 2014
Lot 25 Estimate: 35'000 CHF Starting price: 28'000
CHF Price realized: 40'000 CHF Greek Coins The
Carthaginians in Italy and North Africa 5 shekels,
uncertain mint in Sicily circa 260, AR 37.90 g.
Head of Tanit-Persephone l., wearing barley wreath
and earring. Rev. Pegasus flying r.; below, b'rst
(in the Land) in Punic characters. Jameson 926
(this obverse die). AMB 567. Jenkins 436 (this
coin illustrated). Very rare. Struck on a very
broad flan with a lovely iridescent tone. Minor
marks, otherwise about extremely fine Ex
Kricheldorf 20, 1969, 210 and Leu 71, 1997, 99
sales. Struck in the earliest phase of the First
Punic War (264-241 B.C.), this issue represents a
strict departure from earlier Punic coinages in
Sicily. The bulk of the earlier types were struck
to the Greek Attic weight standard, whereas this
coin employs the Punic weight standard, being five
of its shekels. Their style and fabric are
markedly different than that of earlier types. The
Pegasus must have been derived from
Corinthian-type staters of the Syracusan King
Agathocles (317-289 B.C.), yet the head of the
goddess is inarguably Tanit, rather than a
modified Artemis-Arethusa. Most importantly, the
designs are engraved in a somewhat abstract style
that is uniquely Carthaginian. Jenkins translates
the Punic legend b'rst as meaning 'in the land' or
'in the territories,' noting that it might suggest
an effort by Carthage to stake its claim as a
rightful occupant of Sicily over the Romans, who
were newcomers. He also suggests that these coins
were minted in Sicily on the basis of hoard
evidence, the inscription, and, perhaps most
persuasively, the die axes, which are irregular on
these five-shekel pieces and their related issues.
By comparison, the much larger and more enduring
series of coins assigned to Carthage are struck
with the upright die alignment of a 'medal turn.'
In the centuries leading up to the First Punic
War, Carthaginians and Romans had pursued a
relationship of indifference, for their realms of
influence did not overlap in any meaningful way.
Their first treaty appears to have been made in
509 B.C., and they peacefully co-existed for
centuries. The Romans were perhaps less
sophisticated than the worldly Carthaginians in
these early diplomatic ventures, as Carthage
continually got what it desired: an assurance that
Rome would not intervene in Carthaginian affairs
in the Western Mediterranean. In return, Rome was
immune from potential conflict, being quite
occupied with its own efforts for regional
conquest. The principal cause of Rome's first war
with Carthage is uncertain – perhaps it was a fear
that Carthage would gain control of the
northeastern part of Sicily, or simply a desire to
reap the spoils of victory from a Sicilian
expedition. In a larger sense, however, conflict
was inevitable in light of Rome's meteoric
expansion in central and southern Italy by the
mid-3rd Century B.C. It seems there was no
long-term plan on either side of the war, simply
an escalation as Rome and Carthage became
embroiled in partisan events in Sicily. The root
cause was the disposition of the city of Messana,
which had been violently taken by Mamertine
mercenaries, who found an ally in Rome. Meanwhile,
in opposition, the Carthaginians had formed a
partnership with Hieron II, who recently had
become king of Syracuse. The Romans successfully
laid siege to Syracuse and, through their merciful
treatment of Hieron, gained in him a staunch ally.
This development alarmed the Carthaginians, who
responded in 262 with an invasion of Sicily. After
a particularly violent sack of Agrigentum, an ally
of Carthage, hostilities continued on both land
and sea, and by the mid-250s had even extended to
North Africa, where the Romans occupied Tunis,
only to have their victorious army virtually
annihilated. Fortunes teetered from one side to
the other in a series of violent encounters in
Sicily, North Africa, and Southern Italy. By 241
it was apparent that the Romans would not yield,
despite their mounting losses; after a final naval
disaster near the Aegates Insulae, the
Carthaginian general Hamilcar Barca sued for
peace. As the spoils of victory, Rome gained
control (with Hieron II) over Sicily and its
adjacent islands, and was to receive from Carthage
an indemnity of 3,200 talents over the next
decade. Carthage was left broken, and still had to
wage war on the home front against unpaid
mercenaries and Libyans. In subsequent years,
Romans also took control of Sardinia, which forced
the Carthaginians to expand their interests in
Spain and eventually gave rise to the Second Punic
War (218-201 B.C.).
- http://www.acsearch.info/search.html?id=920047
Freeman & Sear http://www.freemanandsear.com/
Manhattan Sale II 27 (« | ») 4. January 2011
25'000 USD 47'500 USD Description SICULO-PUNIC
COINAGE. Carthage. B’rst (“In the Territories”).
Time of the First Punic War, ca. 264–260 BC.
Silver decadrachm or 5 shekels (37.61 gm). Head of
Tanit left, wreathed with grain ears, wearing
single-drop pendant earring / Pegasus flying
right, Punic legend b’rst (“the territories”)
below. Jenkins, SNR 57 (1978), 440 (02”/R9) (this
specimen cited). Jenkins & Lewis pl. 27, 2
(same dies). de Luynes 3758 (same dies). Very
rare. Attractively toned. Nearly extremely ?ne. Ex
Peter Guber Collection; Künker 94, 27 September
2004, lot 483; Kölner Münzkabinett 45, 1987, lot
224; Kricheldorf 11, Stuttgart, 1962, lot 64.
Carthage, a Phoenician colony on the coast of
North Africa, became a maritime powerhouse in the
fifth century BC and challenged the Greek cities
of Sicily and southern Italy for control of the
western Mediterranean. By the early third century,
much of Sicily had fallen under Carthaginian
control and mints were established on the island
to produce coins used to pay the largely mercenary
army. The stage was now set for the collision with
Rome, newly dominant in Italy. Starting in 264 BC,
Carthage and Rome fought three titanic wars that
produced more death and destruction than any other
conflict before the 20th century. This large
silver five-shekel piece, similar in size and
weight to the Greek decadrachm, was struck early
in the First Punic War against Rome. A powerful
head of the Phoenician goddess Tanit adorns the
obverse, while the winged steed Pegasus appears on
the reverse. The Phoenician
script reads “B’rst,” translated as “in the
territories,” apparently meaning Sicily. The
Carthaginian stronghold of Panormus on the north
coast of Sicily is the likely mint site for this
rare and impressive piece. Estimated Value:
$ 25,000.
- http://www.acsearch.info/search.html?id=924935
Ponterio & Associates http://www.ponterio.com/
January 2011 N.Y.I.N.C. Auction 2031 (« | ») 7.
January 2011 9'000 USD 26'000 USD Description
GREEK Solus SICILY. Siculo-Punic, Time of the
First Punic War. AR Dekadrachm (5 Shekels) (38.08
gms), Sicilian Mint, Possibly Panormos, ca.
264-260 BC. Muller-127; SNGDNM-180; SNGCop-998.
Head of Tanit facing left, wearing single drop
earring, hair wreathen in grain; Reverse: Pegasus
flying right, Punic legend below. Well centered on
both obverse and reverse, soft strike near Pegasus
head, graffiti of three Punic letters above wing.
Pleasing VERY FINE. Estimated value: 15000 USD.
- http://www.acsearch.info/search.html?id=1390144
Numismatica Ars Classica NAC AG
http://www.arsclassicacoins.com/ Auction 66 24 («
| ») 17. October 2012 40'000 CHF 140'000 CHF
Description The Carthaginians in Sicily and North
Africa. 5 shekels, uncertain mint in Sicily circa
260, AR 37.80 g. Head of Tanit-Persephone l.,
wearing barley wreath and earring. Rev. Pegasus
flying r.; below, B’RST (in the Land) in Punic
characters. SNG Lloyd 1665 (this obverse die).
Dewing 437. Kraay-Hirmer 211 (this obverse die).
Jenkins SNR 57, 1978, 450 (this coin). Very rare
and a magnificent specimen of this desirable
issue. Struck on a very broad flan and on
unusually good metal. Lightly toned, almost
invisible marks, otherwise about extremely fine /
extremely fine Ex Hess-Leu 28, 1965, 120 and
Sotheby’s 4 December 1990, Hunt part III, 49,
sales. Struck in the earliest phase of the First
Punic War (264-241 B.C.), this issue represents a
strict departure from earlier Punic coinages in
Sicily. The bulk of the earlier types were struck
to the Greek Attic weight standard, whereas this
coin employs the Punic weight standard, being five
of its shekels. Their style and fabric are
markedly different than that of earlier types. The
Pegasus must have been derived from
Corinthian-type staters of the Syracusan King
Agathocles (317-289 B.C.), yet the head of the
goddess is inarguably Tanit, rather than a
modified Artemis-Arethusa. Most importantly, the
designs are engraved in a somewhat abstract style
that is uniquely Carthaginian. Jenkins translates
the Punic legend b'rst as meaning ‘in the land’ or
‘in the territories,’ noting that it might suggest
an effort by Carthage to stake its claim as a
rightful occupant of Sicily over the Romans, who
were newcomers. He also suggests that these coins
were minted in Sicily on the basis of hoard
evidence, the inscription, and, perhaps most
persuasively, the die axes, which are irregular on
these five-shekel pieces and their related issues.
By comparison, the much larger and more enduring
series of coins assigned to Carthage are struck
with the upright die alignment of a ‘medal turn.’
In the centuries leading up to the First Punic
War, Carthaginians and Romans had pursued a
relationship of indifference, for their realms of
influence did not overlap in any meaningful way.
Their first treaty appears to have been made in
509 B.C., and they peacefully co-existed for
centuries. The Romans were perhaps less
sophisticated than the worldly Carthaginians in
these early diplomatic ventures, as Carthage
continually got what it desired: an assurance that
Rome would not intervene in Carthaginian affairs
in the Western Mediterranean. In return, Rome was
immune from potential conflict, being quite
occupied with its own efforts for regional
conquest. The principal cause of Rome’s first war
with Carthage is uncertain – perhaps it was a fear
that Carthage would gain control of the
northeastern part of Sicily, or simply a desire to
reap the spoils of victory from a Sicilian
expedition. In a larger sense, however, conflict
was inevitable in light of Rome’s meteoric
expansion in central and southern Italy by the
mid-3rd Century B.C.
It seems there was no long-term plan on either
side of the war, simply an escalation as Rome and
Carthage became embroiled in partisan events in
Sicily. The root cause was the disposition of the
city of Messana, which had been violently taken by
Mamertine mercenaries, who found an ally in Rome.
Meanwhile, in opposition, the Carthaginians had
formed a partnership with Hieron II, who recently
had become king of Syracuse. The Romans
successfully laid siege to Syracuse and, through
their merciful treatment of Hieron, gained in him
a staunch ally. This development alarmed the
Carthaginians, who responded in 262 with an
invasion of Sicily. After a particularly violent
sack of Agrigentum, an ally of Carthage,
hostilities continued on both land and sea, and by
the mid-250s had even extended to North Africa,
where the Romans occupied Tunis, only to have
their victorious army virtually annihilated.
Fortunes teetered from one side to the other in a
series of violent encounters in Sicily, North
Africa, and Southern Italy. By 241 it was apparent
that the Romans would not yield, despite their
mounting losses; after a final naval disaster near
the Aegates Insulae, the Carthaginian general
Hamilcar Barca sued for peace. As the spoils of
victory, Rome gained control (with Hieron II) over
Sicily and its adjacent islands, and was to
receive from Carthage an indemnity of 3,200
talents over the next decade. Carthage was left
broken, and still had to wage war on the home
front against unpaid mercenaries and Libyans. In
subsequent years, Romans also took control of
Sardinia, which forced the Carthaginians to expand
their interests in Spain and eventually gave rise
to the Second Punic War (218-201 B.C.).
- http://www.cngcoins.com/Coin.aspx?CoinID=16014
Sale: Triton V, Lot: 1261. Estimate $12500.
Closing Date: Wednesday, 16 January 2002. Sold For
$10000. SICILY, Siculo-Punic. Time of the First
Punic War. Circa 264-260 BC. AR 5 Shekels -
Dekadrachm (37.89 gm). Head of Tanit left, wearing
single-pendant earring and wreath of grain ears /
Pegasos flying right; Punic legend "B'RST" below.
Jenkins, SNR 57, 436 (O1/R6); Weber 1278 (same
dies). Toned, good VF. Very rare. ($12,500).
- http://www.cngcoins.com/Coin.aspx?CoinID=75947
Sale: Triton IX, Lot: 719. Estimate $7500. Closing
Date: Monday, 9 January 2006. Sold For $9500.
SICILY, Siculo-Punic. Circa 264-260 BC. AR 5
Shekels – Dekadrachm (36.56 g, 11h). First Punic
War issue. Head of Tanit left, wearing single
pendant earring and wreath of grain ears / Pegasos
flying right; Punic B'RST below. Jenkins, Punic,
Series 6, 445 (O4/R14); SNG Copenhagen
(Zeugitania) 180 = SNG Copenhagen (Sicily) 998;
SNG Lloyd 1665 (same dies); SNG Fitzwilliam 1512
(same dies); Kraay & Hirmer 211 (same obv.
die). Good VF, toned, test cut on reverse, even
light roughness. Rare. ($7500). From the John F.
Sullivan Collection.
- http://www.acsearch.info/search.html?id=221917
Numismatica Ars Classica NAC AG
http://www.arsclassicacoins.com/ Auction 29 143 («
| ») 11. May 2005 Description Greek Coins The
Carthaginians in Sicily and North Africa. No.:
143. Schätzwert/Estimation: CHF 12000.- d=40
mm. Decadrachm, Carthage circa 260, AR 37.83
g. Head of Tanit (Kore-Persephone) l., wearing
barley wreath and earring. Rev. Pegasus flying r.;
below, b’rst (in the land) in Punic characters.
SNG Stockholm 663 (this obverse die). Jenkins
Punic Sicily IV 452. Rare. Struck on a very broad
flan and with an attractive tone. Minor marks on
obverse, otherwise good very fine / about
extremely fine. Ex Armer-Rook 19.1.1978,
121; Leu 72, 1998, 132 and Triton IV, 2000, 126
sales.
- http://www.acsearch.info/search.html?id=454145
Numismatica Ars Classica NAC AG
http://www.arsclassicacoins.com/ Auction 46 846 («
| ») 2. April 2008 Description Auction 46 Part II
Greek Coins The Carthaginians in Sicily and in
North Africa 5 shekels, North Africa mint in the
Camp circa 260, AR 36.55 g. Head of
Tanit-Persephone l., wearing barley wreath and
earring. Rev. Pegasus flying r.; below, b’rst in
Punic characters. SNG Lloyd 1665 (these dies). SNG
Fitzwilliam 1512. Jenkins, SNR 57, 445. Rare.
Lightly toned, surface somewhat corroded and an
area of weakness on obverse, otherwise good very
fine. Ex NAC sale K, 2000, 1233. Estimate: 8000
CHF.
- http://www.acsearch.info/search.html?id=2232910
Numismatica Genevensis SA http://ngsa.ch/Auction 8
71 (« | ») 24. November 2014 Description LE MONDE
GREC AFRIQUE DU NORD Carthage. Décadrachme ou cinq
shekels d'argent vers 264 av. J.-C., Sicile. Tête
de Tanit-Perséphone à gauche, les cheveux relevés
et ceints d’une couronne d’épis de blé, parée de
boucles d’oreille et d'un collier / Pégase volant
à droite; au-dessous, B’RST en lettres
phéniciennes. 37,70g. Jenkins Punic Sicily IV 442
(cet exemplaire cité) ; Kraay-Hirmer 211 ; Cop.
180. Très bel exemplaire de cette impressionnante
monnaie. Exemplaire provenant de la collection J.
J. Grano et des ventes Monnaies et Médailles S.A.
XIX (1959), 601 et NGSA III (2004), 48.
- http://www.magnagraecia.nl/coins/Punic_map/Zeugitana_map/jpgs/SP_SNR57-443.jpg
5-shekels (decadrachm) Siculo-Punic, ca. 264 BC
Obv. head of Tanit (Kore-Persephone) Rev. Pegasus;
Punic text B'RST (=in the land or territory)
Jenkins SNR 57 443 (O3/R12 ) 37.88g 41,6mm.
Numismatica Ars Classica AG, auction 13 (1998) no.
567.
- http://www.magnagraecia.nl/coins/Punic_map/Zeugitana_map/jpgs/SP_SNR57-443.jpg
5-shekels (decadrachm) Siculo-Punic, ca. 264 BC
Obv. head of Tanit (Kore-Persephone) Rev. Pegasus;
Punic text B'RST (=in the land or territory)
Jenkins SNR 57 443 (O3/R12 ) 37.13g
Classical Numismatic Group, Inc., Mail Bid Sale 60
(2002) no. 232, circa 264-260 BC.
- http://www.magnagraecia.nl/coins/Punic_map/Zeugitana_map/descrSP_SNR57-445i.html
5-shekels (decadrachm) Siculo-Punic, ca. 264 BC
Obv. head of Tanit (Kore-Persephone) Rev. Pegasus;
Punic text B'RST (=in the land or territory)
Jenkins SNR 57 445i (O4/R14 ) 36.55g Triton I
auction (1997) no. 398.
- http://www.magnagraecia.nl/coins/Punic_map/Zeugitana_map/jpgs/SP_SNR57-445x.jpg
5-shekels (decadrachm) Siculo-Punic, ca. 264 BC
Obv. head of Tanit (Kore-Persephone) Rev. Pegasus;
Punic text B'RST (=in the land or territory)
Jenkins SNR 57 445 (O4/R14 ) 36.59g. Triton IV
auction (2000) no. 125.
- http://www.sixbid.com/browse.html?auction=1573&category=33303&lot=1420026
Estimate: 120'000 CHF Starting price: 100'000 CHF
Price realized: 110'000 CHF 41-Afrique - Zeugitane
- Carthage - 5 shekels ou décadrachme - (c.260) -
Av. : Tête d'Aréthuse à gauche - Rv. : Pégase
volant à droite, entre ses pattes B'RST - D'une
insigne rareté - Un des plus beaux exemplaires
connus - Exemplaire acheté chez Tradart et
provenant de la vente Lanz 54 du 12 novembre 1990,
n° 358 - 37.95g - Jenkins 442 (O3/R11) - Superbe.
- https://www.coinreplicas.com/carthage-ar-tetradrachm-270-260-b-c-3
Carthage AR Tetradrachm 270-260 B.C. $20 CAR-28
Carthage North Africa AR Tetradrachm 270-260 B.C.
Carthage was a great maritime trading city that
was founded by Phoenician colonists from Tyre in
the 8 century B.C. From the 6th to the 3rd century
B.C. the Carthaginians dominated trade in the
western Mediterranean. The Carthaginians started
minted coins at the end of the 5th century for the
payment of troops engaged in the wars against the
Greek city states in Sicily. The coins were
derived from Greek coins, particularly issues of
Syracuse Ancient Greek coins. Obverse: Head left
of Tanit wearing grain wreath Reverse: Horse
prancing, behind, palm tree. Diameter: 27 mm.
Silver plated pewter.
- http://www.forumancientcoins.com/fakes/displayimage.php?pos=-514
Carthage, Siculo-Punic, silver dekadrachm AR
dekadrachm Head of Tanit left, wreathed with corn,
wearing necklace and earring / Pegasos flying
right Sear 6442 Pegasus Reverse. 270 to 260 B.C.
Sold on Ebay as a Rosa copy of Becker #34. "Copy"
stamped on rim. Submitted by Bluefish.
- http://www.forumancientcoins.com/fakes/displayimage.php?pos=-4275
Sicilo-Punic, AR modern electrotype copy of a 5
shekel, 1930’s era copy of a British Museum
example of the c. 4th century BC masterpiece. Head
of Tanit left, wearing single-drop earring. /
Pegasus flying right, Punic legend “In the Land”
below. British Museum copy of Muller 127.
- http://www.delcampe.net/page/item/id,283205724,var,GREECE-GREEK-COLONIES-ITALY-SICILY-PEGASUS-DECADRACHM-5-SHEKELS-COIN-XMAS-GIFT-,language,I.html
Greece greek colonies Italy Sicily pegasus
decadrachm 5 shekels coin £18.90 this
coin is not the real ancient coin but a museum
restrike electrotype! 24 grams weight and 42 mm in
diameter.
Veniamo alle conclusioni; come spiegato nelle note,
quella in esame non è una moneta autentica ma una mal
riuscita imitazione moderna di un nominale
siculo-punico in argento, battuto attorno al 264-260
a. C. per far fronte alle spese della guerra con i
Romani. Il suo valore numismatico è nullo.
Un saluto cordiale.
Giulio De Florio
-------------------------------
Note:
(1) Decadrammo
(argento). Impropriamente questa moneta viene
indicata come decadrammo. In quanto punica, ha
come riferimento lo shekel piuttosto che la
dracma, più correttamente quindi si dovrebbe
indicarla come nominale d'argento da 5 shekel.
Riporto in tabella le caratteristiche fisiche dei
nominali da 5 shekel illustrati nei link di cui sopra:
Riferimenti |
Peso
(g.) |
Diametro
(mm) |
Asse
di conio
(h) |
Link01 |
37,90 |
- |
- |
Link02 |
37,61 |
- |
- |
Link03 |
38,08 |
- |
- |
Link04 |
37,80 |
- |
- |
Link05 |
37,89 |
- |
- |
Link06 |
36,56 |
- |
11 |
Link07 |
37,83 |
40 |
- |
Link08 |
36,55 |
- |
- |
Link09 |
37,70 |
- |
- |
Link10 |
37,88 |
41,6 |
- |
Link11 |
37,13 |
- |
- |
Link12 |
36,55 |
- |
- |
Link13 |
36,59 |
- |
- |
Link14 |
37,95 |
- |
- |
Nelle monete greche e romane in generale non è
registrata la presenza di ferro nel tondello, se ne
deduce che la moneta in esame è una replica moderna.
Non avendo il lettore comunicato le misure del peso
e del diametro della sua moneta, non sarà possibile
determinare il grado di aderenza della copia al
modello originale, per quanto concerne le dimensioni
fisiche.
(2) Il pezzo da 5 shekel è una
moneta di guerra (v. link):
nel 264 a. C., l'espansione di Roma incontrò un
ostacolo nella crescente ricchezza e potenza di
Cartagine. Durando 23 anni, la prima guerra punica
vide la distruzione di grandi eserciti e flotte
dentro ed intorno la Sicilia. Per pagare i propri
eserciti e le flotte, Cartagine batté monete di
grandi dimensioni come il pezzo da cinque shekel con
il Pegaso nel rovescio (38g.). Con la fine della
guerra (241 a. C.), il tesoro di Cartagine si era
così impoverito che vennero coniate monete a basso
tenore d'argento (dai numismatici dette di biglione)
e di bronzo sopravvalutato.
(3) La moneta è genericamente
attribuita ad una zecca siculo-punica dal sito http://www.magnagraecia.nl/coins/.
(4) Per le notizie sulla dea
Tanit rimando alla trattazione che ne viene fatta
dal sito http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tanit.
E' d'uopo rilevare come la moneta in esame sia una
pallida riproduzione del bellissimo shekel punico
Tanit/Pegaso. La tipologia monetale in esame è stata
frequentemente oggetto di imitazione da parte di
falsari e creatori di riproduzioni, come si evince
dagli esempi di cui ai link da
15 a 18, molto più fedeli però questi ultimi,
dal punto di vista dello stile, agli originali di
riferimento.
(5) VII (L'artigiano che ha
realizzato la moneta in esame, nel riprodurre la
leggenda punica sotto il ventre del cavallo, non ha
trovato di meglio che semplificarla utilizzando le
lettere latine VII che nulla hanno a che fare con i
caratteri punici ma che con essi condividono una
vaga somiglianza nel disegno). La leggenda punica in
questione, traslitterata “b’rst”, ha il significato
di "nelle terre", forse con riferimento alla
piazzaforte d'oltremare Palormo, sulla costa
settentrionale della Sicilia, dove la moneta
potrebbe essere stata battuta (v. link).
|