ANCIENT HISPANIA

This collection served as the basis for the Catálogo de plomos monetiformes de la Hispania Antigua published in 1987. Gonzalo Cores collaborated with Antón Casariego and Francisco Pliego on this seminal book, which remains the reference work for this type of piece. Consequently, many of the pieces of the set now on auction correspond to those illustrated in the catalogue, both in drawing and in plates, showcasing numerous rare or unique items. Following the same typological classification outlined in the catalogue, it is possible to associate a large number of pieces with Hispanic mints. These include items bearing legends corresponding to the cities of Acinipo, Baesuri, Balsa, Carbula, Carisa, Carmo, Carteia, Castulo, Celti, Corduba, Ilipa, Ilipla, Salacia, Laelia, Obulco, Olontigi, Ostur or Urso, and in the province of Citerior, to Arketurki, Arse, Iltirta, Lakine or Kese. In other cases, the type of lead used makes it possible to identify them with the mints of Castulo, Corduba, Ituci or Ebusus, among others. A second group of leads features a Carthaginian typology, notably depicting the elephant or the symbol of Tanit. This category is considered exceedingly rare, with one specimen in the collection described in the catalogue as unique. The third group is characterised by its large module, typology of the Greco-Roman tradition, and Latin legends -when present- (M. FVNDANI, TANV.S, F. PEDIANS). Possibly the best-known group is the so-called serie de las minas ‘the mines’ series’, although it also includes the series of Athena and Victoria, all boasting examples of exceptional rarity and quality. The pieces included in the fourth group are distinguished by a smaller module and a monetary appearance, although they cannot be attributed to any specific mint. A large number of the lead pieces in the collection are included in this section, possibly the one with the greatest variety both in terms of size and typology, featuring depictions of animals, human figures, objects, initials, etc. Lastly, the fifth group consists of lead pieces imitating Roman coins from different periods. As an avid collector, Gonzalo Cores continued to expand his collection beyond the catalogue’s publication. Although some pieces have been published in other works, it is highly likely that among the pieces offered in this auction, there are unpublished variants in terms of types and materials, enriching our understanding of ancient numismatic history.