Roman Empire, North Africa - Mauritania. Augustus, 27 BC - 14 AD Tingis, c. 27 - 12 BC

AE Sestertius, 28.46g (34mm, 11h).Head of Augustus to r., AVGVSTVS IVL TIN / Bearded head of Baal facing, scepter to r. and legend to l. in lower fieldsPedigree: Ex. Jesus Vico 165, 23 Feb 2023, Lot 2220. From the Cores Collection.References: Sng Cop 741, RPC 863Grade: Uniform patina with slightly rough surfaces. Interesting imagery, particularly on the reverse with a bearded head of Baal. An surprising and less oft seen image on Spanish coinage. aEF for issuere1404Prior to the Romans, Tingi (also known as Tenga, Tinga, Titga - modern day Tangier) was first a thriving Phoenician and later Carthaginian port for over hundreds of years. This period came to an end when the city first fell under Roman rule in the 70’s BC when the Roman General and Politician Quintus Sertorius during his North African campaign against Sulla. While Colonia Iulia Tingi was directly across the Straits of Gibraltar Spain and therefore vital for Rome to control, it remained “perhaps the least Romanized” areas in the empire (Sigman, Zeitschrift für Alte Geschichte Bd. 26, H. 4, 4th Qtr., 1977). Also, its name and status as a colony was not granted this position until the reign of Claudius. This was due in part to both the rugged terrain and mix of local farming communities and numerous semi-nomadic tribes living in the wider area. As such, the Romans were forced to bring in large numbers of military forces to wage a guerilla war. Despite this, the city would develop into a thriving provincial capital before peaking at 20,000 inhabitants in the 4th century.