Anonymous. Ca. 5th-4th century BC. AE aes rude (31mm, 35.06 gm). Uncertain mint (possibly Rome). Irregular cast lump of bronze with no official stamp or indication of value. Thurlow and Vecchi, pl. 2. As made with earthen patina. Tradition ascribes the institution of Roman coinage to the regal period sometime between the reigns of Numa Pompilius (8th century BC) and Servius Tullus (6th century BC). Pliny quotes Timaeus or Tauromenium in an inconsistent and confused account of the establishment of Rome's coinage and called these irregular lumps Aes Rude or Aes Infectum. In the 5th century BC, the famous law code known as the Twelve Tables or Twelve Tablets did establish an official valuation of such bronzes in terms of sheep and cattle.

HID09801242017

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