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1/2 Uncia Cantharus series
| Issuer | Uncertain city of Central Italy |
|---|---|
| Year | 301 BC - 201 BC |
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| Currency | As (circa 301-201 BC) |
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| Obverse description | A caduceus depicted in relief at center of the field, with intertwined serpents rendered in archaic Italian style. A pellet or letter mark appears to the left of the caduceus staff, serving as a value indicator. The surface bears the characteristic rough texture of a cast aes grave flan. The overall design is executed in low relief with bold, schematic forms typical of early Central Italian bronze coinage. |
|---|---|
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| Reverse description | A cantharus (two-handled wine cup) depicted in low relief at center of the plain field, rendered schematically with a broad body, flanking handles, and a defined foot. The design is characteristic of the Cantharus series of Central Italian aes grave coinage, executed in the archaic cast bronze tradition. The flat, unadorned field surrounding the vessel is typical of issues attributed to uncertain Central Italian mints of the 3rd–2nd century BC. No legend or additional devices are present. |
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| Additional information |
The cantharus series of struck bronzes from central Italy occupies a disputed corner of Republican-era numismatics — the issuing authority remains unresolved, with attribution arguments spread across several Oscan and Latin communities. What is clear is that these pieces predate Rome's full monetary dominance of the region and reflect a period when multiple cities still maintained independent minting operations, some of which were extinguished entirely by the Social War of 91–87 BC.
Haeberlin's foundational work placed this type within the aes grave tradition, though the struck fabric distinguishes it from the cast series proper.