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Sale 80
June Pre Long Beach Sale
| Denarii Collection - Roman Republic |
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| Lot |
Photo |
Description |
Realized |
Lot 3050 |
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L. Cassius Longinus. Silver Denarius (3.89 g), 60 BC. Rome. Veiled and draped bust of Vesta left; below chin, S; behind, kylix. Reverse : LONGIN III V, male figure standing left, dropping tablet inscribed V (Uti rogas) into cista. Crawford 413/1; Sydenham 935; Cassia 10. Well struck on a nice broad flan, well centered and lustrous, all lightly toned. Nearly Mint State.
This coin is interesting in that it appears to lack the personal and family names of the moneyer. However, appearances can be deceiving. On the obverse below the chin of Vesta is a control letter, and the only letters employed on this issue are C, A, S, I and L. If one collects enough coins of this moneyer, he can then spell the moneyer's name in full. But why might a moneyer do this? In the case of L. Cassius Longinus it appears to relate to the recent exposure and suppression of the Catiline conspiracy. One of the most notorious members of the conspiracy whose task it was to burn down the city of Rome was one L. Cassius Longinus, but not the same person as our moneyer!
Estimated Value $1,000 - 1,200.
Ex CNG 79 (17 September 2008), 939.
View details and enlarged photos
| Realized
$5,640 |
Lot 3051 |
 |
M. Aemilius Lepidus. Silver Denarius (3.73 g), 58 BC. Rome. ALEXANDREA below, diademed head of Alexandria right, wearing mural crown. Reverse : M LEPIDVS in exergue, TVTOR REG on left, PO(NT) MAX in right, S C above, M. Lepidus, togate, standing facing, head left, crowning the young figure of Ptolemy V, standing facing, holding scepter. Crawford 419/2; Sydenham 831; Aemilia 23. Very rare. Boldly struck from well executed dies, fine style and delicately toned. Extremely Fine.
This interesting coin records an alleged guardianship that the moneyer's ancestor, Marcus Lepidus, held over the young Ptolemaic king, Ptolemy V. It may simply be that no record of the event has come down to us or - more plausibly - that the story is an invention of the later Lepidi, but neither Polybius nor Livy make any mention of it. What is known is that after the Second Punic War ended, the moneyer's ancestor served as a member of an embassy of the senators, two of whom were ex-consuls, sent in 201 BC to Antiochos III and Ptolemy V to gain their support should war develop between Rome and Macedon. At one point during their journey, Lepidus was sent to deliver an ultimatum to Philip ordering him to cease and desist from attacking his Greek neighbors,and above all else return the possessions of Ptolemy. The embassy occurred twenty years before Lepidus ever became Pontifex Maximus, and in fact he was not even praetor at the time, so it seems quite unlikely that such a junior member of an embassy which included two ex-consuls should find himself as guardian of the Ptolemaic king.
Estimated Value $4,000 - 5,000.
View details and enlarged photos
| Realized
$16,450 |
Lot 3052 |
 |
M. Aemilius Scaurus and Pub. Plautius Hypsaeus. Silver Denarius (3.98 g), 58 BC. Rome. [M SC]AVR / [AE] D CVR in two lines above, [EX] S C across field, [REX] ARETAS in exergue, the Nabatean king Aretas kneeling to right, extending olive-branch and holding reins, before camel standing right. Reverse : P HVPSAE / AED CVR in two lines above, [CAPTV] to right, C HVPSAE CO [S / PREIVE] in two lines in exergue, Jupiter driving quadriga left; below horses' forelegs, scorpion. Crawford 422/1b; Sydenham 913; Aemilia 8. Well struck and perfectly centered. Attractive iridescent tone. Superb Extremely Fine.
During the first century, it was normal for a moneyer to highlight some important event from his family's past. This was because for the Roman aristocracy an illustrious past was extremely important for advancing one's political career. Here, however, M. Aemilius has deviated from the norm, depicting an event from his own career, the first such instance in Roman coinage. While serving as Governor of Syria, Scaurus invaded Nabataea, laying waste much of its territory. Although he was unable to conquer king Aretas' stronghold, through an intermediary he was able to convince Aretas to pay a substantial bribe (300 talents) for him to desist. As the event is presented on the coin one would think that the Nabataeans were soundly defeated and that Aretas begged for mercy, but this is mere propagandistic opportunism on the part of Scaurus.
Unlike the obverse, the reverse follows tradition by commemorating a past deed of the moneyer, recalling that it was his ancestor, the consul Gaius Hypsaeus, who captured the Volscian town of Privernum.
Estimated Value $600 - 700.
Ex Elsen 106 (11 September 2010), 304.
View details and enlarged photos
| Realized
$940 |
Lot 3053 |
 |
M. Nonius Sufenas. Silver Denarius (4.09 g), 57 BC. Rome. SVFENAS before, S C behind, head of Saturn right; behind, harpa and conical stone. Reverse : SEX NONI in exergue, PR L V P F around, Roma seated left on cuirass and shield, holding spear, crowned by Victory standing to left behind her, holding palm. Crawford 421/1; Sydenham 885; Nonia 1. Boldly struck, well centered and finely detailed. Lustrous surfaces. Mint State.
The reverse of this coin is historically important in that it alone preserves the name of the praetor who first held the games, the ludi Victoriae Sullanae, in 81 BC honoring Sulla's victory at the Colline Gate. The abbreviated legend is normally read Sextus Nonius, praetor ludos victoriae primus fecit ("Sextus Nonius as praetor first held the games of Victory").
Estimated Value $1,500 - 2,000.
Ex NAC 40 (16 May 2007), 496.
View details and enlarged photos
| Realized
$4,935 |
Lot 3054 |
 |
L. Marcius Philippus. Silver Denarius (4.0 g), 57 BC. Rome. ANCVS below, diademed head of Ancus Marcius right; behind, lituus. Reverse : PHILIPPVS on left, equestrian statue right on arcade of five arches; within arches, AQVA (MAR). Crawford 425/1; Sydenham 919; Marcia 18. Well struck and well centered, lustrous. Nearly Mint State.
The obverse portrays the diademed head of Ancus Marcius, the fourth King of Rome. He was the progenitor of the Marcia gens which had at least two branches, the Philippi and the Reges. Although L. Marcius Philippus belonged to the Philippi branch of the Marcii, he appropriated an event from the Reges branch as it was the praetor Quintus Marcius Rex who built the Aqua Marcia in 144-140 BC. Perhaps the moneyer was being a little devious to illustrate something he could not rightfully claim; the man in the street probably would simply assume that it was the moneyer's ancestor who had supplied Rome with it's greatest source of potable water.
Estimated Value $2,000 - 2,500.
Ex Goldberg 59 (1-2 June 2010), 2335; Bank Leu 38 (1 May 1986), 189.
View details and enlarged photos
| Realized
$3,290 |
Lot 3055 |
 |
Faustus Cornelius Sulla. Silver Denarius (4.05 g), 56 BC. Rome. FAVSTVS, diademed and draped bust of Diana right; above, crescent; behind, lituus. Reverse : FELIX, Sulla seated left on raised platform between King Bocchus of Mauretania on left, presenting him with wreath, and King Jugurta of Numidia on right, hands bound behind him, both kneeling. Crawford 426/1; Sydenham 879; Cornelia 59. A superb example of this very rare issue. Struck on an exceptionally broad flan. Lovely old cabinet toning. Extremely Fine.
The moneyer of this coin was the son of the dictator Sulla. The reverse commemorates one of the most important events of his father's early career: the capture of Jugurtha. Jugurtha was a Numidian prince who had served in the Roman auxiliary cavalry, but who had come to blows with the Romans. Metellus Numidicus was given command to defeat Jugurtha, but Jugurtha was proving a wily adversary and through several campaigning seasons Numidicus was unable to defeat him. In 107 BC one of his legates, Marius, who disagreed with Numidicus' strategy for prosecuting the war, gained the consulship and also command in Numidia. However, Jugurtha was proving just as slippery for Marius as he had been for Numidicus. One of Marius' junior officers was Sulla, and he managed to capture Jugurtha through a ruse. He invited both Jugurtha and Bocchus, the King of Mauretania and Jugurtha's father-in-law, to a meeting. In advance of the meeting he had convinced Bocchus to betray Jugurtha, and when Jugurtha arrived unarmed his attendants were ambushed and Jugurtha was captured. Bocchus immediately handed him over to Sulla. Sulla had a signet ring engraved showing the event, and the reverse of this coin may be a direct copy of that signet ring.
Estimated Value $3,000 - 3,500.
Ex NAC 73 (18 November 2013), 166; Sternberg XIX (18 November 1987), 417.
View details and enlarged photos
| Realized
$3,173 |
Lot 3056 |
 |
Faustus Cornelius Sulla. Silver Denarius (3.79 g), 56 BC. Rome. FEELIX, diademed bust of Hercules right, lion's skin tied at neck. Reverse : FAVSTVS in exergue, Diana, holding lituus and reigns, driving galloping biga right; above, crescent and two stars; below horses, star. Crawford 426/2; Sydenham 881a; Cornelia 60. Very Rare. Well struck on a broad flan with a bold portrait and a light iridescent tone. Extremely Fine.
This splendid denarius again records the feats of the moneyer's father, the dictator Sulla. The obverse recalls the magnificent public feast that Sulla gave in honor of Hercules after defeating Mithradates VI of Pontus, and his piety for dedicating a tenth of all his property to the hero. The reverse commemorates Sulla's defeat of Gaius Norbanus, who had been sent to oppose his return from the East. Sulla credited the goddess Diana with the outcome as it had occurred in an area sacred to her, and he consecrated a spring well-known for its healing powers as well as the surrounding neighborhood to the goddess.
Estimated Value $7,000 - 8,000.
Ex NAC 73 (18 November 2013), 167.
View details and enlarged photos
| Realized
$9,988 |
Lot 3057 |
 |
C. Memmius C.f. Silver Denarius (3.88 g), 56 BC. Rome. C MEMMI C F, head of Ceres right, wreathed with grain ears. Reverse : C MEMMIVS IMPERATOR, bound captive kneeling right beneath trophy. Crawford 427/1; Sydenham 920; Memmia 10. An exquisiste example and virtually as struck. Intricate detail with lustrous surfaces delicately toned. Nearly Mint State.
The moneyer of this coin, Gaius Memmius, was the nephew of Pompey the Great, the son of Pompey's sister, Pompeia Strabonia, and C. Memmius. The reverse commemorates a military victory of an ancestor with the same name who had been acclaimed imperator by his troops, but there is debate over which C. Memmius this was. It is possible that it refers to the moneyer's grandfather, who was tribune in 111 BC and then proconsul of Macedonia, or perhaps more likely his father, who according to Plutarch was Pompey's most capable general in the fight against Sertorius in Spain.
Estimated Value $1,200 - 1,400.
Ex Tkalec (29 February 2008), 203.
View details and enlarged photos
| Realized
$1,704 |
Lot 3058 |
 |
C. Memmius C.f. Silver Denarius (3.47 g), 56 BC. Rome. C MEMMI C F before, QVIRINVS behind, laureate head of Quirinus right. Reverse : MEMMIVS AED CERIALIA PREIMVS FECIT, Ceres seated right, holding torch and grain ear; at her feet, serpent. Crawford 427/2; Sydenham 921; Memmia 9. Struck on a nice broad flan and perfectly centered. Intricate detail and simply superb, lightly toned. Possibly the finest example to exist. Nearly Mint State.
Quirinus was a god of war of Sabine origin who was assimilated with Romulus, Rome's founder. It seems that here Memmius is either referencing a Sabine family origin, or else claiming descent from Romulus. The reverse legend states that it was an ancestor of the moneyer who in 202 BC as (plebeian) aedile held the first festival to the goddess Ceres, the Cerealia. The festival was held annually for several days in April since being first instituted, and included races in the Circus Maximus and theatrical events.
Estimated Value $5,000 - 6,000.
Ex NAC 59 (4-5 April 2011), 801.
View details and enlarged photos
| Realized
$5,640 |
Lot 3059 |
 |
P. Fonteius P. f. Capito. Silver Denarius (3.96 g), 55 BC. Rome. P FONTEIUS P F CAPITO III VIR, helmeted and draped bust of Mars right, trophy over shoulder. Reverse : (MN) FO(NT) TR MIL, soldier on horseback rearing right, thrusting his spear at a Gallic enemy who is about to slay an unarmed person; to lower right, helmet and shield. Crawford 429/1; Sydenham 900; Fonteia 17. Rare. An incredible example, boldly struck and well centered. Attractively toned with light iridescense on both sides. Superb Extremely Fine.
The reverse commemorates a valorous deed of one Manius Fonteius, but the precise circumstances are lost to us. Both Crawford and Harl suggest he may have served under another ancestor, Marcus Fonteius, who was governor of Gallia Narbonesis from 76-73 BC.
Estimated Value $2,500 - 3,000.
Ex Elsen 93 (15 September 2007), 754.
View details and enlarged photos
| Realized
$3,878 |
Lot 3060 |
 |
C. Coelius Caldus. Silver Denarius (3.97 g), 53 BC. Rome. C COEL CALDVS, COS below, head of the consul C. Coelius Caldus right; behind, tablet inscribed L D. Reverse : CALDVS III VIR, radiate head of Sol right; behind, oval shield; before, round shield. Crawford 437/1a; Sydenham 891; Coelia 4. Boldly struck and unusually well centered for this rare issue. A superb example and lustrous. Both portraits are outstanding! Nearly Mint State.
C. Coelius Caldus issued two coin types during his tenure as moneyer, and both depict on the obverse the head of his namesake ancestor who was the first of his family to attain the consulship. Toynbee noted the extremely realistic rendering of the portrait and thought it must have been based on an original portrait (J. M. C. Toynbee, Roman Historical Portraits, p. 21). In Rome, nobles were entitled to display images (imagines) of ancestors in the atrium of the family house, and these were either sculptures, more often, death masks molded directly from the face of the deceased. The superb lifelike rendering of the portrait of the consul C. Coelius Caldus on this coin indicates that perhaps his death mask served as the model used by the die engravers for this issue.
Estimated Value $4,000 - 5,000.
Ex NAC 45 (2 April 2008), 14; Triton I (2-3 December 1997), 1200.
View details and enlarged photos
| Realized
$8,225 |
Lot 3061 |
 |
Q. Sicinius. Silver Denarius (4.0 g), 49 BC. Rome. FORT P R, diademed head of Fortuna Populi Romani right. Reverse : III VIR across field, Q SICINIVS, crossed palm branch and caduceus; above, wreath. Crawford 440/1; HCRI 410; Sydenham 938; Sicinia 5. A lustrous, beautiful specimen and delicately toned. Superb Extremely Fine.
Little is known of the moneyer Q. Sicinius, and his family, while noble, was not a driving force in Roman politics. The types of the coin show that he sided with Pompey after Caesar crossed the Rubicon. The obverse depicts the head of the Fortune of the Roman People, and the symbols on the reverse all reference Pompey's accomplishments: the palm for his many victories, the wreath that was awarded him by the Senate specifically for his defeat of Mithradates VI in 63 BC, and the caduceus for his defeat of the Cilician pirates. This was the last normal issue of denarii before Caesar's occupation of Rome, at which time Sicinius fled east along with the rest of the Pompeians.
Estimated Value $800 - 900.
Ex Pat Coyle Collection (Goldberg 69, 29 May 2012), 3380.
View details and enlarged photos
| Realized
$969 |
Lot 3062 |
 |
Mn. Acilius Glabrio. Silver Denarius (3.91 g), 49 BC. Rome. SALVTIS, laureate head of Salus right. Reverse : MN ACILIVS III VIR VALE[TV], Valetudo standing left, holding serpent and resting arm on column. Crawford 442/1a; Sydenham 922; Acilia 8. Virtually as struck with lustrous surfaces. Nearly Mint State.
Salus and Valetudo are both goddesses of good health, and here they possibly signify the relief and gratitude of the moneyer and the people of Rome for the recovery of Pompey the Great, who had fallen gravely ill the year before.
Estimated Value $800 - 900.
Ex NAC 46 (2 April 2008), 407.
View details and enlarged photos
| Realized
$1,410 |
Lot 3063 |
 |
Q. Sicinius and C. Coponius. Silver Denarius (3.70 g), 49 BC. Military mint traveling in the East with Pompey, perhaps at Ephesus. Q SICINIVS III VIR, diademed head of Apollo right; below, star. Reverse : C COPONIVS PR S C, club of Hercules draped with lion's skin; in left field, arrow; in right field, bow. Crawford 444/1a; HCRI 3; Sydenham 939; Sicinia 1. Well struck and well centered. The surfaces are lustrous with a touch of light tone. Nearly Mint State.
Here again we see the moneyer Q. Sicinius, this time paired with the praetor C. Coponius. Unlike the previous issue of Sicinius which was struck while he was still at Rome, this type was struck somewhere in the East after he fled along with the rest of the Pompeian senators. The club and lion's skin on the reverse resembles half- and quarter-cistophori that were struck in a number of eastern cities, including Apamea, Ephesus, Pergamum, Sardes and Tralles. The Roman proconsul held residence at Ephesus, and it was perhaps there that this issue was struck.
Estimated Value $1,400 - 1,600.
Ex NAC 59 (4-5 April 2011), 814.
View details and enlarged photos
| Realized
$1,880 |
Lot 3064 |
 |
L. Cornelius Lentulus and C. Claudius Marcellus. Silver Denarius (4.00 g), 49 BC. Military mint traveling in the East. Triskeles, with winged head of Medusa facing at center and ear of grain between each leg. Reverse : [L]E(NT) (MAR) COS, Jupiter standing facing, head right, holding thunderbolt and eagle; in right field, harpa. Crawford 445/1a; HCRI 4; Sydenham 1029a; Cornelia 64. Rare. Well struck with lustrous surfaces and delicately toned. Superb Extremely Fine.
Struck under the exiled consuls, Lentulus and Marcellus, the types reference both family history and Roman power. The issue has traditionally been assigned to a mint operating in Sicily, but the hurried nature of the Pompeian withdrawal from Brundisium to Greece suggests it was struck somewhere in the East. The obverse recalls that it was M. Claudius Marcellus, the ancestor of the current consul, who conquered Syracuse in 211 BC. The reverse depicts Jupiter, the chief deity of the Roman pantheon and thus a symbol of unity, and may copy the famous statue of Zeus Eleutherius by Myron. Jupiter appears on all the joint issues of the Lentulus and Marcellus.
Estimated Value $2,500 - 3,000.
Ex Elsen 97 (13 September 2008), 201; Crédit Suisse 3 (19 April 1985), 419.
View details and enlarged photos
| Realized
$9,106 |
Lot 3065 |
 |
L. Cornelius Lentulus and C. Claudius Marcellus. Silver Denarius (3.92 g), 49 BC. Military mint traveling in the East. Triskeles, with winged head of Medusa facing at center and ear of grain between each leg. Reverse : [L]E(NT) (MAR) COS, Jupiter standing facing, head right, holding thunderbolt and eagle. Crawford 445/1b; HCRI 4; Sydenham 1029; Cornelia 64a. Rare. Well struck with delicate iridescent toning. Superb Extremely Fine.
Identical to the previous lot, but lacking the harpa on the reverse. The harpa was a form of denticulated sickle and is usually associated with the god Saturn, who used it to mutilate his father, Uranus. Perseus also used a harpa to cut off the head of Medusa. On the coins of this issue where it does appear it signifies the aerarium, Rome's treasury, which was located in the Temple of Saturn in the Roman Forum, but may also allude to the gruesome desire to cut off Caesar's head. If the common man drew such an association, it is perhaps for this reason - which would of course not fit with the honorable idealism of the Pompeians - that it was removed from the design.
Estimated Value $2,500 - 3,000.
Ex Heritage 3011/Gemini VIII (14 April 2011), 225; Numismatica Genevensis 3 (29-30 November 2004), 100.
View details and enlarged photos
| Realized
$9,400 |
Lot 3066 |
 |
L. Cornelius Lentulus and C. Claudius Marcellus. Silver Denarius (3.98 g), 49 BC. Apollonia. L LE(NT) C (MA) RC COS, Laureate head of Apollo right. Reverse : Jupiter standing facing, head right, before garlanded altar, holding thunderbolt and eagle; in left field, star above Q. Crawford 445/2; HCRI 5; Sydenham 1030; Cornelia 65. Lustrous with a light iridescent tone. Superb Extremely Fine.
The questor who was involved in producing this coin chose to remain anonymous, omitting his name from the type. According to a letter Cicero wrote to his friend L. Munatius Plancus, the reason was the close friendship of the questor with Caesar. Cicero identifies the man as T. Antistius (Cicero, Ad familiares XIII.29), who after Pharsalus retired to Bithynia in shame. Caesar subsequently visited him there and spoke kindly to him, urging him to return to Rome. Antistius never made it, though, as he died in Corcyra on the return journey.
Estimated Value $1,500 - 2,000.
Ex Roma II (2 October 2011), 496.
View details and enlarged photos
| Realized
$3,055 |
Lot 3067 |
 |
Albinus Bruti f. Silver Denarius (3.94 g), 48 BC. Rome. PIETAS behind, bare head of Pietas right. Reverse : ALBINVS BRVTI F, clasped hands holding winged caduceus. Crawford 450/2; HCRI 26; Sydenham 942; Postumia 10. Well struck and perfectly centered. The surfaces are lustrous with beautiful multicolor iridescense on the reverse. Superb Extremely Fine.
The moneyer, Decimus Junius Brutus, is better known to us than are most moneyers as he saw extensive service under Caesar during the Gallic Wars and was later made governor of Transalpine Gaul. Additionally, he was made Caesar's heir should Octavius reject the inheritance. Despite the favor Caesar showed him, he was amongst the conspirators in his assassination (he should not be confused with M. Junius Brutus, however, who was one of the principals of the conspiracy). The types chosen for this coin advertise Caesar's leniency in dealing with those Romans who had opposed him, Pietas personifying devotion and love of country, and the clasped hands an obvious symbol of reconciliation. The winged caduceus is most associated as the attribute of the personification of Felicitas, and here represents the beneficial outcome of Caesar's clemency.
Estimated Value $800 - 900.
Ex Gemini V (6 January 2009), 246.
View details and enlarged photos
| Realized
$852 |
Lot 3068 |
 |
Mn. Cordius Rufus. Silver Denarius (3.92 g), 46 BC. Rome. RVFVS S C, diademed head of Venus right. Reverse : MN CORDIVS below, Cupid riding dolphin right. Crawford 463/3; HCRI 65; Sydenham 977; Cordia 3. Lovely iridescent tone. Superb Extremely Fine.
Ex NAC 73 (18 November 2013), 196; MMAG 66 (22 October 1984), 436.
Estimated Value $800 - 900.
View details and enlarged photos
| Realized
$1,528 |
Lot 3069 |
 |
L. Valerius Acisculus. Silver Denarius (3.54 g), 45 BC. Rome. ACISCVLVS behind, diademed head of Apollo Soranus right surmounted by star; behind, pick-axe. Reverse : L VALERIVS in exergue, Europa seated on bull walking right, holding veil which billows out above her. Crawford 474/1a; HCRI 90; Sydenham 998; Valeria 17. Boldly struck and perfectly centered with gorgeous iridescent toning. Superb Extremely Fine.
It has traditionally been believed that the reverse shows the heroine Valeria Luperca riding a heifer. However, the animal is clearly a bull, which means that the seated female can only be Europa. The myth of Europa is that she was a Phoenician princess whose beauty attracted the attention of the god Zeus. Desiring her, he turned himself into a magnificent white bull and intermingled with her father's herd. When she saw him, she approached him and stroked his side, then leaped onto his back. Zeus immediately ran out to sea and swam to Crete, where Europa became the island's first queen. Subsequently, Zeus arranged the stars, known as the constellation Taurus, in the shape of the white bull which he had assumed during this episode.
Estimated Value $1,400 - 1,700.
Ex Heritage 3020 (1 September 2012), 25152.
View details and enlarged photos
| Realized
$3,055 |
Lot 3070 |
 |
P. Clodius M.f. Turrinus. Silver Denarius (3.3 g), 42 BC. Rome. Radiate head of Sol right; behind, quiver. Reverse : P CLODIVS / M F in two lines in exergue, crescent moon surmounted by semicircle of five stars. Crawford 494/21; HCRI 182; Sydenham 1115; Claudia 17. A trifle weak around the right obverse borders and on the corresponding portion of the reverse. Lightly toned. Extremely Fine.
Estimated Value $600 - 700.
Ex Tkalec (8 September 2008), 182.
View details and enlarged photos
| Realized
$852 |
Lot 3071 |
 |
P. Clodius M.f. Turrinus. Silver Denarius (4.2 g), 42 BC. Rome. Laureate head of Apollo right; behind, lyre. Reverse : P CLODIVS on right, M F on left, Diana Lucifera standing facing, head right, bow and quiver at shoulder, holding long lighted torch in each hand. Crawford 494/23; HCRI 184; Sydenham 1117; Claudia 15. Boldly struck on a nice wide flan. Attractive old cabinet toning. Superb Extremely Fine.
Estimated Value $1,000 - 1,400.
Ex Goldberg 70 (2-5 September 2012), 3194.
View details and enlarged photos
| Realized
$1,998 |
Lot 3072 |
 |
P. Accoleius Lariscolus. Silver Denarius (3.95 g), 41 BC. Rome. P ACCOLEIVS behind, LARISCOLVS before, draped bust of Diana Nemorensis right. Reverse : Triple cult statue of Diana Nemorensis facing, supporting on hands and shoulders beam with five cypress trees; the figure on the left holding poppy, the figure on the right holding lily. Crawford 486/1; HCRI 172; Sydenham 1148; Accoleia 1. Rare. Perfectly centered and exceptionally complete. Beautiful light iridescent toning. Probably the finest to exist . Superb Extremely Fine. Very Scarce.
The family of the moneyer P. Accoleius Lariscolus hailed from the small Alban town of Aricia, sixteen miles southeast of Rome. The goddess Diana Nemorensis, the ruins of whose temple are still visible today, was worshiped there in a cypress grove beside lake Nemi. Her cult is particularly unusual in one way - the high priest (Rex Nemorensis) attained his position by defeating his predecessor in mortal combat! Octavian's mother, Atia, was also born in Aricia, and it is perhaps in light of this that we should see Lariscolus' appointment as moneyer. That is, Atia had died in 43 BC, and Octavian, wishing to honor her birthplace, assured the appointment of a native son of Aricia to the quattuorvirate who as a matter of convention would surely use a type related to his (and Atia's) hometown.
Estimated Value $6,000 - 7,000.
Ex NAC 63 (17 May 2012), 471; Kurpfälzische Münzhandlung 70 (30 May 2006), 41.
View details and enlarged photos
| Realized
$18,213 |
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