AE Tressis (Aes Grave series, Italy, 4th-3rd century BC, 947.90g) - Silenus / Antelope (TV 299) - good VF. The Aes Grave is a type of early cast bronze currency used in Italy during early Roman times, around the 4th to 3rd centuries BC. ‘Aes’ refers to bronze, and ‘Grave’ means heavy, emphasizing its substantial weight compared to later coinage. These coins were not struck but cast in molds, making them unique and thicker than the more familiar struck coins. These heavy bronze coins served both as practical currency and as a statement of wealth and military might. Their weight, sometimes exceeding 300 grams (let alone our piece!), was based on the Roman As system, where the value was determined by weight. They represent an essential transition from barter economies to standardized monetary systems in ancient Italy. The coin presented here is the Thurlow-Vecchi nr. 299 AE Tressis, a notable piece, with Silenus on the obverse and an antelope’s head to left. The term Tressis denotes a Roman bronze coin equivalent to three asses (plural of ‘as’ the basic unit of bronze currency in early Roman coinage). The antelope motif reflects influences from earlier Etruscan or Greek art, with their focus on naturalistic depictions of animals. Thurlow-Vecchi notes a census (population) of only 1, which makes this piece almost unique. The fact that this coin has the highest price quotation in this catalog is therefore entirely justified. We judge this piece a good VF, with clear outlines and a pleasant overall green patina. With a weight of 947.90 grams this piece unfolds a majestic appearance, a feast to the eyes. (Thurlow-Vecchi: Haeberlin, AES Grave, Vol. 2 (repr. Bologna, 1968), plate nr. A1 / Sydenham, Aes Grave, London, Spink, 1926, no record.)