Obulco, Hispania
220 – 20 BCE
Ae As 28mm, 15.4g
Obv: Female head right, OBVLCO before
Rev: ‘L AMIL / M IVN’ in two ines; prow left above, grain ear below; AID vertically to right
Abh 1807; Heiss p. 303 16 (Pl XLIII)
Obulco was the modern day city of Porcuna, Jaén and was a prominent settlement from at least the 7th century BCE. It stood atop a hill called Los Alcores (obviously with a different name back then), and was a major city populated by the Turduli. Obulco, also known as Ibolca, served as their capital.
During the Roman Wars, Obulco wisely sided with Julius Caesar, and he once marched his army all the way from Rome to Obulco in 27 days to take on the sons of Pompey. Due to its friendliness with Rome, the city continued to flourish in Roman times. It was one of the most prolific Iberian mints.
Today, the modern city sits on top of most of the ruins, though parts of an amphitheater have been restored.