Featured Cool Roman Inspired Brooch

Found this brass brooch for sale for $40. I’m thinking that’s probably not a great deal but it’s one of those pieces that is interesting looking enough that I guess it could be. Any thoughts on when this is from and what’s its potential value would be? There’s not a big market for brass jewelry as far as I know but it’s got a great look. I believe Carthag refers to the city. What an interesting history it has! Any help appreciated.

 

Suspect that if you search for a Roman coin celebrating victory over Carthage you will find the inspiration for the central medallion. It's in the archeological revival style made especially famous by the jewellery firm Castellani & quite likely was gilt originally.

 

Well, a little Googling around suggests it's a fantasy or pastiche. If there were a genuine original coin, it would be easy to find. 'CARTHAG SVBAC' doesn't even look like a proper Latin inscription. There are a handful of oddities about it. It is genuinely an antique brooch; just not a numismatically correct one, IMO.

 

https://www.fitzmuseum.cam.ac.uk/ga...113:164114:164115:164117:164120:164122:164185

 

From the link...



Debora

 

Oh, good for you! Google & the major coin sites seriously let me down. Usually with this much clear info the needed coin pops right up. The fact that Sicily was at one time part of Magna Graecia may account for one of my 'oddities', the spelling 'SVBAC', which looks like a jumble of Latin & Greek writing. Makes more sense that it would be the copy of a coin rather than original or semi-original artwork.

 

Credit to flipper.

Debora

 

And none to my ophthalmologist. Kudos @flipper

 

I think $40 is a bit steep for this.

 

It is Victorian based on the hinge and c-clasp, I don't think $40 is way out of line, maybe a bit high depending on why you bought it. Did you buy it to wear or resell? What are the measurements?

 

From enlarging a bit......BTW....OP's 3rd image down....doesn't that almost look like that would pry OPEN?????? Wouldn't want to damage it, but wouldn't it be neat if there was a gem hidden in that "bubble" on the back??!! Heh, heh!!!

 

It is potentially worth $40, to the right buyer.

 

Have not purchased. Would buy to resell so I think I’m going to pass.

 

I would need it to be worth double that in order to make it worth buying so I’ll pass on this one. Just thought it looked interesting!

 

Late 19th. I'd not expect to pay more than the equivalent of $20 for it, as it's brass.

 

Looks more as though the medallion is a separate piece & the little dome covers the end of the rivet or whatever is attaching it.