Interiors & Decorations

Jewellery & Precious Stones

Watches, Pens & Lighters

Fashion

Coins & Stamps

Comics & Animation

Classic Cars, Motorcycles & Automobilia

Wine, Whisky & Spirits

Asian & Tribal Art

Trading Cards

Toys & Models

Archaeology & Natural History

Sports

Music, Movies & Cameras

Books & Historical Memorabilia

The diversity of coins brought to you by {name}

Carmen Vera Gutiérrez

RULER: AE AES Grave
DATE: 3rd Century B.C
DENOMINATION: Uncia
MATERIAL: Bronze, AE
SIZE & WEIGHT: 30 mm x 29 mm, 30 gr
OBVERSE: Knucklebone
REVERSE: Knucklebone

Comes with Certificate of Authenticity

The Aes Grave Uncia represents a fascinating evolutionary step in early Roman currency, dating back to the 3rd century BCE. Unlike the struck silver coins of later periods, these were heavy, cast bronze pieces that relied on their physical weight—based on the Libral standard—to establish value. The "Uncia" was a fractional unit representing one-twelfth of a Roman As. These coins are characterized by their rugged, primitive aesthetic and substantial feel in the hand, serving as a reminder of a time when Rome was still a rising Italian power transitioning from a system of raw metal chunks to standardized, circular currency.

One of the most iconic and sought-after varieties of this denomination features the knucklebone (or astragalus) as its primary motif. In the ancient world, knucklebones were not merely anatomical remnants but were deeply symbolic, used widely in games of chance and for divination. On the Uncia, the knucklebone is typically rendered in high relief on both the obverse and reverse, often accompanied by a single globule or "pellet" to denote its value as one unit. The choice of the astragalus reflects the everyday cultural fabric of the Roman Republic, blending the mundane world of leisure and gaming with the formal requirements of trade and state-issued money.

The casting process used to create these coins resulted in unique, organic textures that are highly prized by collectors today. Because they were poured into clay molds rather than struck with dies, no two specimens are exactly alike; many still retain the "sprue" marks where the molten bronze entered the mold. These heavy bronze pieces eventually gave way to smaller, more practical struck coinage as Rome's economy expanded across the Mediterranean, but the Knucklebone Uncia remains a definitive artifact of the Republic’s early economic identity—a literal and metaphorical heavyweight of ancient numismatics.

Æ - Ungraded

Roman Republic. AE Aes Grave. Uncia 3rd Century B.C

Whisky

Reserve price

No reserve price

Budget

From

Closing date

30 August

Sunday

29 August

Monday

tomorrow

Tuesday

Wednesday

28 August

Thursday

31 August

Location

Germany

Italy

France

Belgium

The Netherlands

Taiwan

Spain

Poland

Hong Kong

Portugal

Slovak Republic

Japan

United Kingdom

Malta

Sweden

Latvia

Denmark

Romania

United States

Austria

Czech Republic

Andorra

Switzerland

Estonia

Finland

Brand

Macallan

Johnnie Walker

Jack Daniel's

Ardbeg

Glenfiddich

Hibiki

Springbank

Balvenie

Yamazaki

Glenmorangie

Karuizawa

Caperdonich

Highland Park

Royal Salute

Gouden Carolus

Bimber

Bowmore

Lagavulin

Bruichladdich

Dalmore

Aberlour

Talisker

Blanton's

Octomore

Ben Nevis

Object

Single malt whisky

Blended whisky

Japanese whisky

Bourbon whiskey

Scotch whisky

Malt whisky

Tennessee whiskey

Blended malt whisky

Branded merchandise collection

Irish whiskey

Whisky glass

American whiskey

Flask

Canadian whisky

Rye whisky

Single grain whisky

Drinking service

Lighted sign

Blended malt

Grain whisky

Pure malt

Single pot still whiskey

Country of origin

Scotland

Speyside

Islay

Highlands

Campbeltown

Lowlands

Ireland

England

Isle of Skye

Orkney

Isle of Arran

Canada

Norway

Unknown

Asia

Wales

Isle of Raasay

Bottle size

70cl

700ml

75cl

750ml

1 Litre

50cl

20cl

4.5 Litres

35cl

1.5 Litres

73cl

180ml

660ml

4.7cl

37.5cl

1.14 Litres

2.25 Litres

Material

Glass

Metal

Plastic

Leather

Steel

Crystal

Wood

Cotton

Paper

Condition

Good

As new - unused

Excellent condition: barely used with minimal signs of wear

Good condition - used with small signs of ageing

Excellent

Good condition - used with small signs of aging & blemishes

Period

1980s

1990s

1970s

2010s

2020s

2000s

2020+

1960s

1960-1970

1990-2000

Style

Contemporary

Design

Mid-century modern

Colour

Transparent

Green

Turquoise

Brown

Gold

Orange

Silver

White

Multicolour

Yellow

Pink

Cream

Bronze

Alcohol Percent List

57.1%

45.8%

46.3%

47.8%

48.2%

51.2%

57.9%

Whisky

This object is no longer available, but there’s still lots to explore

Roman Republic. AE Aes Grave. Uncia 3rd Century B.C

Popular in Whisky

1402 objects

Related collections