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LOT 0728
Roman Gold Lunula Pendant
1ST-4TH CENTURY A.D.
1 in. (1.78 grams, 28 mm).
A crescentic gold lunula pendant with granule clusters to the terminals and body, granulated suspension loop.
ProvenanceAcquired before 2000.
From the collection of a European gentleman living in the UK.
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AUCTIONS:
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Roman Silver Brooch with Dedicatory Inscription
4th century A.D.Estimate: £600 - 800 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £325
A silver military crossbow fibula with rounded knobs, the bow with a dedicatory inscription in Latin letters 'VTER FELIX IURE VICTO'. 19.5 grams, 62 mm
Acquire in the 1990s. Ex Cambridgeshire, UK, collection.
The dedicatory inscription 'VTERE FELIX', 'use it with good luck' or 'with happiness' is often found on Roman military artefacts, like belt fittings, brooches, and armlets; but it is rarely accompanied by 'IURE VICTO' inscription ([being the] rightful winner). The inscription is typical of the late Roman military world, but it can also refer to people using the brooch in civil duties, these fibulae being ordinarily gifted to the militia armata and non armata. -
Roman and Later Ring Collection
1st-19th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £195
A mixed group of copper-alloy finger rings of various types and sizes, including examples with incised geometric motifs, stars, plants, ring-and-dot motifs. 76 grams total, 17-24 mm
Acquired before 2000. From the collection of a European gentleman living in the UK. -
Roman Military Diploma Fragments
2nd century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £208
A pair of bifacial bronze military diploma fragments bearing Latin text: fragment A, side 1: 'CAEL[IBES] / DVM [TAXAT]'; side 2: 'NI[- - -] MAX'; fragment B, side 1: 'RNESE / CVS'; side 2: 'AL[- - - / - - -] LL'. 7.13 grams total, 21-32 mm
Acquired before 2000. From the collection of a European gentleman living in the UK.
Stylistically, the diploma seems connected with the empire of Hadrian, based in style used in letters M and A. The text of the extrinsecus can be partially reconstructed in the sentences ANTO{NI}NUS AVGVSTVS PONTIFEX {MAX}IMUS... AVT SIQUI {CAEL}IBES ESSENT CUM IIS QUAS POSTEA DUXISSENT {DUM}TAXAT SINGULI SINGULAS (...if they were in celibate then, to the maximum limit of only one (wife) for each...). The diploma gives 'HONESTA MISSIO' (honourable discharge) and Roman citizenship to the veterans of an unknown unit, also granting them permission to marry. The text of the internal side (intus) should report the dating, and the names of the soldiers and witnesses.
