| Note |
The attribution of this series to Carthage was proposed by Grant, APT,17. He only knew the B specimen, which clearly reads TI CAESARI AVGVSTO D D COL, but Lagoy, describing his own coin (Mélanges de Numismatique (Aix, 1845), p. 2 and pl. II,1), had read COL K and attributed it to Carthago Nova; Lagoy's coin is now part of the de Luynes collection in P but not included in Babelon's catalogue, which explains why Grant did not know it. Its obverse legend does not have a K, as it is proved by the V specimen, which is struck with the same obverse die, but is in better condition.Grant's attribution is based on stylistic considerations, which are far from obvious; an attribution to Parium has also been proposed (CNR X, pp. 201-2), but seems unlikely.The mere indication of COL is curious, as strange as the reverse legend PACE AVG(-VSTA or -VSTI) PERP(ETVA) in the ablative and the type of an altar with two doors and no panels. The type might suggest Spain(e.g., Ilici), but the central cavity on the flans of the four specimens points towards the east.The series is struck on flans with a diameter of 37-9 mm and a weight of· 26.36 g. This suggests a sestertius, though the coins have a rather medallic aspect.The first mention of this series figures in S. Erizzo, Discorso sopra lemedaglie degli Antichi (Venice, 1568), p. 195. In view of all the special characteristics of this series, a Renaissance invention cannot be excluded, even if at least three obverse dies have been cut.
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