Lot 4131

Description

L. Plautius Plancus, (c.47 B.C.), silver denarius, Rome mint, (3.26 g), obv. mask of Medusa, facing, hair dishevelled, L.PLAVTIVS below, rev. Aurora flying to right, conducting the four horses of the sun, PLANCVS below, (S.429, Cr.453/1a, Syd.959, B.Plautia 15). Slightly off centre on the reverse, bright, minor surface marks and weak in places, otherwise very fine or better and rare.

Ex Noble Numismatics Auction Sale 75 (lot 1974).

Ovid relates that during the censorship of C. Plautius and Ap. Claudius Caecus in 312 B.C., the latter quarrelled with the Tibicenes, who retired to Tibur. As the people resented their loss, Plautius caused them to be placed in wagons and conveyed back to Rome early in the morning. In order that they should not be recognised, their faces were covered with masks. The chariot of Aurora is an allusion to their early arrival and the mask to the concealment of their faces. In commemoration of this event the fetes called Quinquatrus Minusculae were celebrated yearly at Rome on the 13th June, at which those that took part in them wore masks.