Indice Dietro Avanti
Decadrammo TANIT-Persefone/Pegaso
4.1.2015
Ciao, ho una moneta antica sembrerebbe greca o romana, sembra rame (si attacca alla calamita).
Da un lato c'è un cavallo alato dall'altra il volto di un uomo.
Vorrei sapere il suo valore e a quando risale.
Ti ringrazio in anticipo
.
fig. 1
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:

  1. 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.).
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.).
  5. 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).
  6. 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.
  7. 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.
  8. 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.
  9. 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.
  10. 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.
  11. 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.
  12. 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.
  13. 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.
  14. 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.
  15. 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.
  16. 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.
  17. 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.
  18. 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).
Indice Dietro Avanti