Lot 1795

Description

P. Porcius Laeca, (110-109 B.C.), silver denarius, Rome mint, (3.894 grams), obv. Roma helmeted head right, ROMA above, X below chin, P. LAECA behind, rev. roman warrior standing left, placing hand on head of citizen, lictor behind, PROVOCO in exergue, (S.178 [£65 VF], Cr.301/1, Syd.571). Grey tone, good very fine/ nearly extremely fine.

Ex Hans Schulman, Auction, New York, February 14, 1958 (lot 2038). An important reverse type, illustrating the principle of provocatio, a procedure by which a citizen had the right to appeal to the people against the decision of a magistrate which he considered to represent an abuse of official power.