The Roman RepublicAes Premonetale.. AE stylized astragalus-shaped (?) Cast Ingot, decorated with rosette in incuse square, graffito (VIII) in the opposite side, 4th-3rd century BC. 43.21 g. Aes Premonetale. AE stylized astragalus-shaped (?) Cast Ingot, decorated with rosette in incuse square, graffito (VIII) in the opposite side, 4th-3rd century BC. AE. g. 43.21 RR. mm. 30x18x16. A very rare and fascinating example. Enchanting earthen emerald green patina. EF. For bronze objects found with aes rude and early bars, see ICC p.83 ff. and A. M. Murgan, “Heavy metal in hallowed contexts. Continuity and change in aes deposits in Central Italy and Sicily” in “Embodying Value? The Transformation of Objects in and from the Ancient World”, BAR International Series 2592, 2014. <br /> Cf. Artemide 46E, 2019, lot 160 (sold for hammer € 850).
