350, Lot: 312. Estimate $100. Sold for $170. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

SPAIN, Dertosa. Tiberius. AD 14-37. Æ As (24mm, 7.56 g, 3h). Laureate head right / Corbita under sail left. RPC I 207; SNG Copenhagen 532-3. Fine, brown patina, some cleaning marks. Rare.

Providing the empire with an uninterrupted supply of grain, as well as other necessary supplies, the merchantman (navis oneraria) was a ship with a broad beam. Many of these vessels, like the ponto or more common actuaria resembled the shape of a trireme and could be powered by both oars and sails. Since ships of this type were used to transport vital commodities such as wine and grain, they, like the large ponto, are often those shown on coins from the Black Sea. The great Roman merchantman, or corbita, often seen in part on imperial issues commemorating the annona, is more familiar. Powered by two large sails, it featured a rear cabin in the shape of a swan and was the true workhorse of Roman merchant vessels; its type continued well into the Byzantine period.