v25_0136 - NUMIDIA - CIRTA Unité, (MB, Æ 26)

MONNAIES 25 (2006)
Starting price : 150.00 €
Estimate : 250.00 €
Realised price : 1 100.00 €
Number of bids : 9
Maximum bid : 1 350.00 €

Type : Unité, (MB, Æ 26)

Date: c. 46-44 AC

Mint name / Town : Cirta

Metal : bronze

Diameter : 25,5 mm

Orientation dies : 6 h.

Weight : 7,27 g.

Rarity : R3

Coments on the condition:

Beaux portraits, mais flan irrégulier, en particulier sur les légendes. Patine marron

Catalogue references :

Cop.- - CNNM.534 - A.133 - RPC.703

Obverse

Obverse legend : P. SITTIVS - [MVGONIANVS IIII VIR DECR DEC].

Obverse description : Tête nue de Publius Settius à droite.

Reverse

Reverse legend : DECRETO [D S P DE]CVRIONONVM].

Reverse description : Buste féminin drapé à droite.

Commentary

Pour ce type, les auteurs du Roman Provincial Coinage n’ont relevé qu’une paire de coins. Seulement deux exemplaires signalés. Mêmes coins que l’exemplaire du Cabinet des médailles de la BnF (BN. 712, poids 8,16 g).

Historical background

NUMIDIA - CIRTA

(1st century BC)

The first mention of the city of Cirta goes back to Polybius (XXXVI, 16, 10) on the occasion of the death of Masinissa in 148 BC. Micipsa, successor of Masinissa embellished the city which could have counted more than 150,000 inhabitants according to Strabo. Cirta was the most important city of the Numidian kings, often disputed as during the war of Jugurtha. After the defeat of Juba I, Cirta was entrusted to an adventurer P. Sittius who kept it for two years before being assassinated.