Q. Pomponius Musa. 56 BC. AR Denarius (18mm, 3.95 g, 9h). Rome mint. Good VF.

CNG Feature Auction 123
Lot: 465. Estimated: $ 750

Roman Republican, Coin-in-Hand Video, Silver

Sold For $ 1 200. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

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Q. Pomponius Musa. 56 BC. AR Denarius (18mm, 3.95 g, 9h). Rome mint. Laureate head of Apollo right; handle of plectrum to left / Erato, the Muse of Erotic Poetry, standing right, holding plectrum and lyre. Crawford 410/7d corr. (obv. symbol and rev. type); Sydenham 820a corr. (same); Pomponia 17a corr. (same); RBW –; see P. Davis, “Erato or Terpsichore: A Reassessment” in FIDES, for the identification of the muse as Erato. Lustrous. Good VF.

This type is called “Terpsichore” by Crawford and most other authors, but Phil Davis has recently identified this coin type as Erato. A complete discussion of this subject can be found in the article Phil wrote for the festschrift created for the late Rick Witschonke (FIDES, pp. 393-401). Phil’s logic is very sound and will make completing a set of Muses much easier as the previously rare, known from a single die, Erato is now shown to be a die variety. (Davis identifies the obverse turtle symbol as being for Terpsichore.)

The final winners of all CNG Feature Auction 123 lots will be determined during the live online sale that will be held on 23-24 May 2023. This lot is in Session Two, which will begin 23 May 2023 at 2 PM ET.

Winning bids are subject to a 22.5% buyer's fee for bids placed on this website and 25% for all others.

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