ORC9901 AFRICAN / ELEPHANT gF
US $180.00
Sep-04-03
oldromancoins.com

   Etruria, Arretium (?) The Chiana Valley, Æ quartuncia, (4.68g)
[ ]208-207 BC, Head of a Nubian right. / Elephant standing right,       [ ]
   letters below. SNG ANS 39-41; SNG Cop. 47. Good F, green patina.

   The connection to the political events of the time is clear, though
   the specifics are not. Hannibal was ravaging Italy. His brother
   Hasdrupal entered Etruria (where this coin was struck). Two combined
   Roman consular armies attacked the much smaller force of Hasdrupal.
   In the decisive battle of the conflict, the Carthaginians were
   routed. Hasdrupal was killed, and his head was hurled into the camp
   of Hannibal. What does the African head on the obverse, and the
   elephant on the reverse of this coin show?