Lot 5237

Description

Q. Fabius Maximus (restored issue), (82 or 80 B.C.), silver denarius, Rome mint, (3.864 grams), obv. Apollo laureate head to right, lyre before, *, [ROMA] behind, [Q MAX] below chin, rev. cornucopiae with thunderbolt all within wreath, (S.295 [£100 VF], Cr.371/1, Syd.718, RSC Fabia 6). Off centred obverse, weak in places, otherwise very fine and rare.

Less than 10 obverse dies used on this issue. An unusual issue struck as a restored issue of the consul of 127 B.C. and a propaganda type for the pro-Sullan faction. Its purpose was perhaps to enable Sulla to issue a civil coinage without appointing a new triumvirate of moneyers for 82 B.C. or perhaps to celebrate the restoration of the Republic in 80 B.C. after Sulla’s abdication of the dictatorship.