Summary
Semuncia issued by Etruria, Italy, Ancient Greek States, circa 208 BC
Attributed to Arretium in Etruria
Obverse Description
Six-spoked wheel
Reverse Description
Bipennis (double headed axe) with handle on left; Etruscan letter which looks like a retrograde 'F' to right.
Edge Description
Plain
Significance
Robinson attibutes coins, including this type, bearing the Etruscan letter F as a mint mark, to the important ciy of Arretium. Arretium (modern Arezzo) was the most north-eastern city in Etruria and had been under Roman influence from the 3rd century BC. This city was a centre of anti-Roman tension for a couple of years after 209 BC when it still seemed possible that Hannibal would win the Second Punic War; the Romans needed to move their Apulian army of two legions to the city. This coin, with its traditional Etruscan design may have been issued with intent to influence people against Rome. Later in the war, when Roman victory bacame clear, the city returned to full support of Rome.
More Information
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Collection Names
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Collecting Areas
Historical Archaeology, Numismatics & Philately, Working Life & Trades
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Acquisition Information
Transfer from National Gallery of Victoria (NGV), 15 Mar 1976
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Date Issued
circa 210 BC
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Issued By
Arretium, Etruria, Italy, Ancient Greek States, circa 208 BC
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Mint
Arretium (Mint), Arretium, Etruria, Italy, circa 208 BC
Attributed to Arretium in Etruria. Robinson suggests 208-207 BC -
Previous Collection
Eugene von Guerard, Victoria, Australia, pre 1880
Listed in Eugene von Guerard's catalogue, vol.1, p.5. The coin was purchased by Eugene von Guerard for 3 shillings 6 pence from von Haart of New Zealand, before 1880. According to the catalogue von Haart purchased it at Constantina Algusia. The coin became misplaced in the 19th century and was rediscovered in an NGV safe during McArthur Bequest incorporation, about 1904. It was given the origin number 2 in the Chitty list. Incorrectly listed twice in the first NGV coin collection stock book due to a mis-reading of the von Guerrard catalogue. -
Denomination
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Material
Copper
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Classification
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Category
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Discipline
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Type of item
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Dimensions
14 mm (Outside Diameter), 1.926 g (Weight)
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Shape
Round
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References
cf. BMC. Greek Coins, Italy, p.19 no. 10. cf SNG American Numismatic Society Part 1, Etruria - Calabria, No.56 & plate 56. Dating and proposed mint attribution derived from E.S.G. Robinson, "Coinages of the Second Punic War", NC 1964, p. 46 - 48.
[Book] Poole, Reginald S. 1873. A Catalogue of the Greek Coins in the British Museum, Italy., 19 Pages
[Catalogue] Pullin, Ruth. 2011. Nature Revealed: Eugene von Guerard.
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Keywords
Bipennis Tools (Double Headed Axes), Second Punic War, 218-201 (BC), Wars & Conflicts, Wheel Tools
