Roman Republic – Second Punic War (ca. 217-215 BC) Bronze Sextans – She-Wolf & Twins/Eagle

Description

Roman Republic. Time of the Second Punic War. Anonymous AE (Bronze) sextant. Mint of Rome; struck 217-215 BC. Choice Fine; a scarce and important issue struck at the moment of Rome's greatest peril, after the decisive defeat of the Roman army at the hands of Hannibal at the Battle of Cannae. The founding scene on this coin would have reminded Romans of their origins and responsibility to their ancestors to fight on.

Design: Founding of Rome Scene: the she-wolf Lupa nurses the twins Romulus and Remus; two pellets in exergue / Eagle perched right, holding flower in beak; ROMA to right, two pellets above to left

Reference: Crawford 39/3. Sydenham 95.

Dimensions: 30 mm / 25.69 gm

Condition: Choice Fine; light roughness. Large and important issue.