L. Papius Varieties


denarius serratus from 79 BC

Obv.: Head of Juno Sospita r., wearing goat skin tied under chin.Behind head, symbol.

Rev.: Grypon running r.; in ex., L. PAPI.; in field, symbol.

  • RRC 384/1
  • RSC Papia 1
  • RCTV 311This coin is an example of symbols 2 (amphora / hydria) in Crawford's RRC

    Photo from CNG coin shop no. 157812

    Sydenham proposed that the symbols represent trade guilds (collegia opificum) in "Symbols on Denarii of L. Papius and L. Roscius",Numismatic Chronicle, 1931, pp 1-13

    Collegium

    Crawford in RRC, suggested that there is no such assosciation with the collegia. Rather he believes they are a "random selection of pairs of everyday objects"


    Number of Varieties: at least 231

    RRC illustrates 211 varieties. Dick Schaefer has informed me of 20 additional pairs of symbols, which brings the count to 231.

    Ancient Imitations

    While the purpose of this page is to describe official varieties of L. Papius denarii, another interesting topic is that of ancient imitations based on the L. Papius type. Click here for information about this topic.

    Additional Information

    Additional Information about these coins. Visitors to this site are also able to add to this section by providing feedback about this site and/or contributing information about these coins.

    References

    RRC stands for "Roman Republican Coinage" by Michael Crawford, 1974. RRC numbers are from plates lxvi and lxvii. RRC lists 211 varieties.

    BMCRR stands for "British Museum Catalogue of Coins of the Roman Republic" by Herbert Grueber, 1910. BMCRR numbers are from page 371 of volume 1 BMCRR lists 119 varieties.

    Babelon stands for "Monnaies de la Republique Romain" by E. Babelon, 1885. The L. Papius coins are described in volume 2, p. 279. Babelon illustrates 150 varieties. Click here to see them.

    CNR stands for "Corpus Nummorum Romanorum" by A. Banti, 1982 in Italian. It includes 189 L. Papius coins plus one incuse and one imitation. They are organized in categories based on related symbol pairs and the symbols are identified. The photos are taken from auction catalogs, museum collections, and private collections. The weight is listed for most of them.

    "The Messagne Hoard" by Charles Hersh and Alan Walker. Museum Notes 29. The American Numismatic Society, New York, 1984.

    Wildwinds lists several examples of this type of denarius

    Phil Davis' site on Imitations of Roman Republican Denarii

    L. Papius in the Fitzwilliam Museum Collection

    The Bonanno Ancient Coin Collection


    Contributors

    Images are either from my colllection or used with permission. Images and/or information contributed by:
  • Classical Numismatic Group(CNG)
  • Wayne Phillips
  • Barry Murphy
  • Ancient Byways
  • Bill Blank. Kernunnos
  • Zach Beasley. Beast Coins
  • Numismatik Lanz
  • Dick Schaefer
  • Nemesis Optimo
  • Tom Cederlind
  • MediterraneanCoins
  • The Time Machine Co.
  • Astarte S.A.
  • DR. BUSSO PEUS NACHF.
  • Gunter Mäckel
  • Rauch Auctions
  • Spink Numismatic Circular
  • Phil Davis
  • McMaster Museum of Art Online Roman Coin Collection
  • Bill Welch: What I like about Ancient Coins
  • Ancient Coins and Antiquities from legion_viii ebay
  • Martin Griffiths
  • Manfred Fischer
  • Archaelogical Center Jaffa vcoins
  • Pierluigi Debernardi

  • List of Varieties

    Entries are numbered in the same order as on the plates in RRC. Varieties which are not in RRC are numbered sequentially following those which are shown in RRC. The first such coin is numbered as 212

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    number (count)Picture

    Click for more examples of each type.

    obv. symbolrev. symboltrade guildRRCBMCRRBabelonCNRImage Source
    1 (3) amphorafallen amphorawine-vendors11191/010Pues 366, 1194. Digitized by Gunter Mäckel
    2 (1) amphorahydriawine-vendors2242unknownCNG
    3 (1) amphoratripod for amphorawine-vendors3324unknownBarry Murphy
    4 (0) anviltongsmetal-workers44unknown1/018
    5 (0) aplustreprowsailors55unknownunknown
    6 (0) barnacledrenching hornunknown6637unknown
    7 (0) basket of grapesbasket of fruitgreengrocers77unknownunknown
    8 (0) basketbasketbasket-makers88unknownunknown
    9 (0) boot with strapshoe on lastcobblers9951/040
    10 (2) beakertwo-handled vasewine-vendors1010unknownunknownCNG
    11 (3) beakerjugwine-vendors1111unknownunknownCNG
    12 (3) bucketwine-skinwine-vendors1212831/007CNG
    13 (1) cooking pot with hooktriple flesh-hookcooks and bakers1313351/049CNG
    14 (1) bucraniumbipennisbutchers141478unknownNumismatik Lanz, München, Auction 123, lot no. 304. Photo Lübke and Wiedemann, Stuttgart
    15 (2) butterflywaspunknown151568unknownCNG
    16 (2) candelabrumfire-dogmetal-workers1616129unknownAncient Byways vcoins
    17 (0) candelabrumfulcrumunknown1717unknownunknown
    18 (1) phrygian capswordunknown18187unknownBill Blank
    19 (0) galerustwo spearssoldiers1919unknownunknown
    20 (0) clapper of three pieces of woodfan or fly-flapunknown2020unknownunknown
    21 (0) base of columncorinthian capitalbuilders2121811/034
    22 (0) carding combspatulaweavers2222unknownunknown
    23 (0) double-comb (?)two rings connected by two barsunknown2323unknown1/006
    24 (0) cooking vesselladlecooks and bakers2424unknownunknown
    25 (2) cornucopiaegrape bunch on vinefarmers and shepherds252584unknownCNG
    26 (1) crabfishfishmongers262636unknownCNG
    27 (0) crateramphorawine-vendors2727unknown1/050 ?
    28 (0) cray-fishoctopusfishmongers2828unknownunknown
    29 (1) crocodilepigunknown2929unknownunknownPues 289, 22. Digitized by Gunter Mäckel
    30 (1) chiselmalletcarpenters3030unknownunknownCNG
    31 (0) crowbarpickartisans3131unknown1/017
    32 (0) cruse for oillampoil merchants3232unknownunknown
    33 (1) shallow cuprhytonwine-vendors3333unknownunknownNumismatik Lanz, München, Auction 123, lot no. 302. Photo Lübke and Wiedemann, Stuttgart
    34 (0) curule chairseat or benchunknown3434124unknown
    35 (2) trumpet mouthpiece (?)trumpet mouthpiece (?)musicians (?)3535unlistedunknownWayne Phillips
    36 (0) diskring with cordunknown3636107unknown
    37 (1) distafftwo reelsweavers3737unknownunknownPues 367, 367. Digitized by Gunter Mäckel
    38 (0) dog runningcapricornunknown383845unknown
    39 (2) half of fat fishthin fishfishmongers393974unknownBill Welch
    40 (1) plasterer's floattrowelbuilders40401371/033Gunter Mäckel
    41 (0) drillcompassescarpenters4141unknownunknown
    42 (0) drillplanecarpenters4242unknown1/022
    43 (0) eggeagleunknown4343unknownunknown
    44 (1) featherfeather of peacockunknown4444unknownunknownThe Time Machine Co. VCoins store
    45 (0) flailbasketfarmers and shepherds4545unknown1/001
    46 (1) two flutessyrinxmusicians4646109unknownCNG
    47 (0) human foothand holding lancetchiropodists4747unknownunknown
    48 (0) gimlethammercarpenters4848921/016
    49 (0) metaweightathletes4949unknownunknown
    50 (0) female goat's headmale goat's headunknown5050unknownunknown
    51 (1) gobletwine-skinwine-vendors515198unknownTom Cederlind VCoins store
    52 (3) gobletwine-skinwine-vendors5252961/042BACC #44
    53 (1) greavemetal-worker's hammermetal-workers5353unknownunknownPues 372, 953. Digitized by Gunter Mäckel
    54 (0) hammer with round headculterunknown5454unknownunknown
    55 (1) hand in caestustorchathletes5555unknownunknownPues 388-389 / 894
    56 (0) hand with stilus or graversundialunknown5656unknownunknown
    57 (0) hare runningdog runningunknown5757unknownunknown
    58 (0) harplyremusicians5858unknownunknown
    59 (0) harpadragon's headunknown5959unknownunknown
    60 (0) helmetancilia (?)soldiers6060unknownunknown
    61 (0) apexsimpulumofficials6161unknownunknown
    62 (0) hook for raising timberpulleycarpenters6262unknown1/024
    63 (1) flesh-hookladlecooks and bakers6363unknownunknownCNG
    64 (2) forepart of lionforepart of bullunknown646477unknownCNG
    65 (1) ampullapalm-branchathletes6565unknownunknown
    66 (0) gutturniumcradleunknown6666unknownunknown
    67 (1) knife with curved bladeblock of woodunknown6767unknownunknownCNG
    68 (0) lanternsnuffersmetal-workers686846unknown
    69 (0) shepherd's crookmask of Panfarmers and shepherds69692unknown
    70 (1) lockkeymetal-workers7070611/027
    71 (1) lotus flowerpoppy headunknown7171128unknownWayne Phillips
    72 (0) lyrebow and quiverunknown7272unknownunknown
    73 (0) maceclub with strapsoldiers7373unknownunknown
    74 (0) mirrormirror inscribed SS IIIunknown7474unknownunknown
    75 (0) modiusmodiusfarmers and shepherds7575unknown1/009
    76 (0) owlcrow with open wingsunknown7676unknownunknown
    77 (0) bowl with handlesaucer with handlewine-vendors7777unknownunknown
    78 (2) pentagramset squarebuilders78781401/031James Bonanno - BACC 57
    79 (0) boring toolchiselbuilders7979121unknown
    80 (0) pot-hookunknownunknown8080unknown1/013
    81 (1) pumpbasket with handlefarmers and shepherds8181unknownunknownCNG
    82 (0) signet-ringscroll in caseclerks8282unknown1/047
    83 (0) rudderanchorsailors8383unknownunknown
    84 (1) sandalsandalcobblers8484171/041CNG
    85 (2) tanner's knifescrapertanners8585641/012CNG
    86 (0) sceptrecurved sword in sheathunknown8686unknownunknown
    87 (1) sceptreradiate crownofficials8787401/046CNG
    88 (0) shell, conchshell, scallopunknown8888unknownunknown
    89 (0) baker's shovelbaker's ovencooks and bakers8989unknown1/014
    90 (0) sicklebasketfarmers and shepherds9090unknown1/003
    91 (0) sistrumpatera with fruitunknown9191unknownunknown
    92 (0) crossbow boltfront view of crossbowsoldiers929275unknown
    93 (1) spear-headhuman food, deformedunknown9393unknownunknownBeast Coins
    94 (0) spindledistaffweavers9494unknown1/015
    95 (1) spurhorse's muzzlesoldiers9595unknownunknownPues 303, 300. Digitized by Gunter Mäckel
    96 (0) staff with strapninepinunknown9696unknownunknown
    97 (0) staff with double hookknuckle bone, astragalusunknown9797unknownunknown
    98 (0) standardserpentunknown9898unknownunknown
    99 (1) funnel straineramphorawine-vendors9999unknown1/008Manfred Fischer
    100 (0) sword in sheathtrumpet, Sarmatiansoldiers100100unknownunknown
    101 (0) voting tablet (tabella), inscribed PA-PIcista with handle, scriniumunknown101101unknownunknown
    102 (0) thyrsusivy branchunknown102102unknownunknown
    103 (0) ticket of bone, leaf-shapedticket of bone, egg-shapedunknown103103unknownunknown
    104 (1) tridentdolphinfishmongers10410441unknownCNG
    105 (1) blockbutcher's knifebutchers105105unknown1/011Pues 355, 841. Digitized by Gunter Mäckel
    106 (0) tripodvase with coverunknown106106unknownunknown
    107 (0) turnipcarrotgreengrocers107107115unknown
    108 (1) flasksuitcaseunknown108108unknown1/043CNG
    109 (1) vase with spoutlamp feederoil merchants109109unknownunknownCNG
    110 (0) ampulla with strings for suspensionampulla with strings for suspensionwine-vendors110110unknownunknown
    111 (1) ampulla with strings for suspensionstrigilwine-vendors111111105unknownPierluigi Debernardi
    112 (1) scrollstilusclerks112112unknownunknownCNG
    113 (0) valve for water pipewater pipeunknown1131131101/036
    114 (1) well-headfountainunknown1141141061/037 1/048Barry Murphy
    115 (1) wheel with four spokeswheel with eight spokeswheelwrights11511579unknownBarry Murphy
    116 (0) wolf's headlion's headunknown116116unknownunknown
    117 (0) wreathlituusofficials117117unknownunknown
    118 (1) wreathtorqueofficials118118126unknown
    119 (0) yokechariotsoldiers119119unknownunknown
    120 (1) fan (?)thyrsus120unlisted1unknownNemesis VCoins store
    122 (4) coiled serpentdogunknown122unlisted9unknownJames Bonanno
    123 (1) bootsshoehorncobblers123unlistedunknown1/039Pues 291, 462. Digitized by Gunter Mäckel
    127 (2) 127unlistedunknownunknownPues 301, 700. Digitized by Gunter Mäckel
    128 (0) simpulum (?)two crossed sacrificial knives128unlisted26unknown
    129 (1) helmethelmet129unlistedunknownunknownRauch 67, 242. Digitized by Gunter Mäckel
    131 (1) plumb linemason's level131unlistedunknown1/032Pues 284, 691. Digitized by Gunter Mäckel
    134 (1) aplustreprow stemsailors134unlisted47unknown
    137 (1) joint of hamboar's headbutchers137unlisted52unknownCNG
    138 (1) 138unlistedunknownunknownPues 304, 264. Digitized by Gunter Mäckel
    148 (2) three hookscooking potcooks and bakers148unlisted71unknownNumismatik Lanz, München, Auction 123, lot no. 306. Photo Lübke and Wiedemann, Stuttgart
    149 (1) 149unknownunknownunknownAncient Coins and Antiquities from legion_viii ebay
    150 (1) harpapetasos150unlistedunknownunknownMediterraneanCoins GmbH VCoins store
    151 (1) caduecuswingmerchents?, messengers?151unlistedunknownunknownPues 340, 661. Digitized by Gunter Mäckel
    156 (0) plowyokefarmers and shepherds156unknownunknown1
    158 (1) legionary eaglealtar158unlistedunknownunknownNumismatik Lanz, München, Auction 123, lot no. 303. Photo Lübke and Wiedemann, Stuttgart
    159 (1) stylumhand159unlistedunknownPierluigi Debernardi
    160 (2) arrowclub160unlisted112unknownBarry Murphy
    161 (0) planesawcarpenters161unlistedunknown1/021
    162 (1) sawsawcarpenters162unlistedunknown1/020Pues 322, 396. Digitized by Gunter Mäckel
    163 (1) outside caliperbeam compass (used as caliper?)163unlistedunknown1/030
    164 (1) unknownshieldunknown164unlistedunknownunknownCNG
    170 (0) currycombshearsfarmers and shepherds170unlistedunknown1/005
    175 (1) mouse (?)rooster175unlistedunknownunknownNumismatik Lanz, München, Auction 125, lot no. 576. Photo Lübke and Wiedemann, Stuttgart
    178 (1) CCXLVICCXLVIunknown178unlistedunknownunknownCNG
    179 (1) bellyolkunknown179unlistedunknownunknownCNG
    181 (1) planepolishing tool181unlistedunknownunknownPues 353, 280. Digitized by Gunter Mäckel
    182 (1) starcrescent moon182unlistedunlistedunknown
    184 (0) basketpickaxefarmers and shepherds184unknownunknown1/002
    185 (0) shovelpitchforkfarmers and shepherds185unlistedunknown1/004
    189 (1) harpaelephant head189unlistedunknown1/146Martin Griffiths
    190 (1) branch with acornpig190unlistedunknownunknownNumismatik Lanz, München, Auction 125, lot no. 574. Photo Lübke and Wiedemann, Stuttgart
    195 (1) torchsceptre (?)195unlistedunknownunknownGunter Mäckel
    198 (1) altarbucketunknown198unlistedunlistedunknown
    199 (0) capvase199unlistedunknown1/044
    201 (1) laddlejug201unlistedunknown1/063Archaelogical Center Jaffa vcoins
    203 (0) hatpintweezers203unlistedunknown1/045
    204 (0) compassdrill204unlistedunknown1/029
    205 (0) tongshammermetal-workers205unlistedunknown1/019
    206 (0) keylock206unlistedunknown1/028
    207 (0) lockkey207unlistedunknown1/026
    208 (0) spatulaburin (graver)208unlistedunknown1/025
    211 (0) Doric column capitalIonic column capital211unlisted761/035
    212 (1) dagger (?)club (?)soldiers (?)unlistedunlistedunlistedunknown
    213 (1) helmet with long visorpetasusunlistedunlistedunlistedunknown
    216 (1) helmetMacedonian shieldunlistedunlistedunknownunknownSpink Numismatic Circular May 1985
    222 (1) kantharoskantharosunlistedunlistedunknownunknownRauch 67, 241. Digitized by Gunter Mäckel.
    226 (1) shoesandalunlistedunlistedunknownunknownJames Bonanno - BACC 37
    229 (1) unknownshoe (?)unlistedunlistedunknownunknownAstarte S.A.
    230 (1) scepterunknownunlistedunlistedunknownunknownNumismatik Lanz, München, Auction 125, lot no. 575. Photo Lübke and Wiedemann, Stuttgart


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