Ancient British Hoards

Roman Republican Coinage, Quintus Sicinius, Denarii (2), Rome, early 49 BC, fort pr around diademed head of Fortuna Populi Romani right, rev. q sicinivs below filleted palm-branch and caduceus, bound with fillet, in saltire, iii vir in field either side, wreath above, 3.73g/6h, 3.49g/12h (Ghey 252.1-2, these coins; Craw. 440/1; BMCRR 3947-9; RSC Sicinia 15; Sear 1) [2]. Fair to fine, one with ‘IVC’ mark in reverse field £60-£80

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, British Iron Age Coins from the Helmingham Hoard.

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Collection

SF 208 and 523

Very little research currently exists on banker’s marks in Republican, Imperatorial and Imperial Roman coinage, most that does exist focuses upon Provincial. Despite this, we may still speculate. This mark stands apart from many others in the hoard in that it is three letters rather than a symbol or an otherwise indistinct mark. A Roman may interpret ivc to mean vir clarissimus, a title bestowed upon senators roughly translating to ‘very famous man’. This may make sense as this type alludes to Pompey and at the time, his anticipated successes against Caesar. On the other hand, it may be an abbreviated name of the banker who punched this coin, acting as a personal guaranty that the silver coin was authentic and still fit to circulate.
Naville Numismatics sold another denarii, this one of Octavian, with a similar banker’s mark in 2017, Auction 31 lot 386

Our banker’s mark, ivc, is much smaller and less defined. Perhaps the banker, if we choose to follow the abbreviated name theory, realised that the smaller mark was not very legible, or perhaps he may have had a son who continued the practice and wished for their initials to stand out more. Whether for prestige or practicality, once again we may only speculate.