6/65var. Korkyra (229-48 BC)

AR Stater (Korkyra, Roman rule, 229-48 BC)

O/ Head of Dionysos right, wreathed with ivy.

R/ Pegasos flying right with palm-frond in mouth; prow and monogram KOP below; monogram A KOP above.

4.88g; 20mm

HGC 6/65var; SNG Copenhague 200.

- ROMA Numismatics, E-Sale 42, lot 69.

This type is not in Hoover, as n°65 is a more refined "Hellenistic" version, and without the palm-frond on reverse, whilst the style here is crude and almost looks like a Celtic imitation. It is unknown why and when Korkyra produced these crude style staters, which are also often in bad condition due to the poor silver used.

The monogram below Pegasos is the same as on an extremely rare victoriatus (RRC 101/1) minted in 211-210 BC by Marcus Valerius Laevinus, thus possibly dating these staters to the Second Punic War. It could explain the crude style and bad silver as they would have been made in haste to pay for military operations.

The prow on which Pegasos is standing is also interesting because of its use on contemporary Roman bronzes and also on denarii and aurei minted by Antony in Korkyra in 40 BC (RRC 521). These similarities should be further investigated.

Riferimento : HGC 6/65var

Collezione : Roman Republic - Provincial Coinage