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Minturnae Issue
Lot # 78
Greek Italy. Central Italy, uncertain mint. Capua or Minturnae(?). AE 15.5 mm. late 90s-early 80s BC. Obv. Head of Dionysos right, wearing ivy wreath. Rev. Panther standing right, head turned back, holding thyrsos. HN Italy 2672; SNG Cop. 342 (Capua); Cf. Stannard & Sinner, “A central Italian coin with Dionysus/Panther types, and contacts between Central Italy and Spain in the 2nd and 1st centuries BC,” Saguntum 46 (2014), p. 161, 1. AE. 4.52 g. 15.50 mm. R. Rare and very interesting. Glossy light green patina, with reddish hues. VF. Several mints have been suggested for this issue - Capua, Minturnae or an uncertain mint in Central Italy. Currently, Minturnae seems the best guess, but further research might change this. Based on overstrikes, Stannard and Sinner (Stannard & Sinner, A central Italian coin with Dionysus/Panther types, and contacts between Central Italy and Spain in the 2nd and 1st centuries BC, Saguntum 46 (2014), p. 161) place this issue around the time of the Social Wars. Its circulation pattern suggests that it was struck by a pro-Roman city or group. It is of great archeological importance in helping to trace trading links between Central Italy and the Baetica region of Spain, where many of the coins are discovered. (Obolos 23, 2022, 116 note).