Lot 3484

Description

P. Porcius Laeca, (110-109 B.C.), silver denarius, Rome mint, (4.052 grams), obv. Roma helmeted head right, ROMA above, X below chin, [P. LA]ECA behind, rev. roman warrior standing left, placing hand on head of citizen, lictor behind, PROVOCO in exergue, (S.178 [£185 EF], Cr.301/1, Syd.571). Slightly off centred obverse, otherwise nearly as struck, good extremely fine and rare.

An important reverse type illustrating the principle of provacatio, a procedure by which a citizen had a right to appeal to the people against the decision of a magistrate which he considered to be an abuse of official power.